“Van life” is not a new thing. Long before the two words were scrunched together and preceded by a hashtag, vans had a large, loyal following. However, true four-wheel-drive vans with a two-speed transfer case were, and still are, a rarity. So, it was cool to see several of these massive machines at the 2025 Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

What follows is a look at three standout 4×4 vans from said event. The first is a meticulously clean 1988 GMC Rally STX that has been owned by the same person for 36 years. The second, a 1988 Ford E-150 Club Wagon, is a vintage masterpiece. The final van, a 1989 Ford Econoline, is a home-built rig designed for extended off-road adventures.

These three machines feature fascinating 4WD conversions and equipment, combined with inherent full-size goodness, and elevate van life to new heights.

1988 GMC Rally STX 4×4 With Room For 12 Passengers

In the late 1970s, Mitchell Heim saw a four-wheel-drive van compete in a truck pull, and it got him dreaming of owning a 4WD van. That dream lived on, and after years of searching, he purchased an almost-new 12-passenger 1988 GMC Rally STX in 1989. He immediately sent it out for a 4WD conversion. He says, “I could justify doing this for winter deliveries for my work.”

Mitchell, a Columbia, Pennsylvania, resident, is a pattern maker. His patterns are for foundry use, and interestingly, one of his customers is Quigley Motor Company, which offers 4×4 conversions for vans.

NP208 T-Case, Dana 44 Front Axle

The van is propelled by its factory 350-cubic-inch V8 engine. Mitchell has added an “RV cam,” a throttle-body spacer, and an additional oil cooler to the ‘plant. The engine sends power to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission that has been rebuilt for durability. Bolted to the transmission is an NP208 two-speed transfer case, which directs power to the Dana 44 front axle and GM 14-bolt rear axle. The front axle, fitted with manual locking hubs, was sourced from a K5 Blazer. It was rebuilt, and upgraded with a limited-slip differential, chrome differential cover, and dual steering stabilizers. Both axles sport 4.10:1 gears.

6-Inch Front Leaf-Spring Lift, 35-Inch Tires

Suspending the van is a custom setup that includes BDS Suspension 6-inch-lift front leaf springs and an add-a-leaf inserted into each stock rear leaf-spring pack. Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks reside at each corner of the van. The increased suspension height creates plenty of room for the 315/75R16 (35-inch-diameter) BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires mounted on American Racing wheels.

Room For Twelve

Inside, the van has room for 12 passengers, thanks to the front bucket seats and three rows of bench seats. It also has the rare dual A/C and heat option. Outside, the rig wears now-discontinued Bushwacker fender flares, a passenger-side retractable step, and paintwork by Quality Custom Rides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The Bottom Line

Decades after the conversion, Mitchell is pleased with his van and his decision to convert it to four-wheel drive. He says, “Thirty-six years later, I still have it, and along with my family, I enjoy it.”

1988 Ford Club Wagon Van With Dana 44 HD Front Axle

Colin Brugger of Levittown, Pennsylvania, saw this 1988 Ford E-150 XLT Club Wagon four years ago and thought it was cool—so cool, in fact, that he wanted to buy it, but it wasn’t for sale. Colin says, “I thought I would never see it again.” However, fate intervened, and in 2024 the van came up for sale. “I jumped right on it and bought it,” he says. “This is definitely an old build, but it was done right.”

The van had been sitting for a long time, so he went to work on it, freshening up things like the axles and completing overdue maintenance. He also upgraded the tires and wheels, added accessories, and more.

Borg-Warner 1356 T-Case, Eight-Lug Dana 44 HD Front Axle

The van is powered by its factory fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8 engine. Power is transmitted through an AOD four-speed automatic transmission to a Borg-Warner 1356 two-speed transfer case. Up front is a Dana 44HD eight-lug axle snagged from a Ford High-Boy pickup. It features Warn Premium manual locking hubs, a chrome differential cover, and a steering stabilizer. The Dana 60 rear axle came from a 1988 1-ton Ford truck. Both axles have 3.55:1 gears.

37-Inch Tires, 3/4- And 1-Ton Leaf Springs

Colin’s van is rolling on 37×12.50R16.5 Goodyear Wrangler MT tires mounted on 9.75-inch-wide eight-spoke wheels from U.S. Wheel. Helping to make room for the big 37s is a front suspension that includes Ford F-250 leaf springs. Out back is a pair of leaf springs from a Ford F-350. Skyjacker Nitro 8000 shocks are also bolted under the van. To give an idea of its height, Colin notes that there are 42 inches from the ground to the top of each wheel well.

Inside And Out

Inside, Colin added a few things, such as an old-school steering column and an analog tachometer that matches the factory gauges. The van retains its original interior, which includes four swiveling captain’s chairs, a console, and front and rear A/C and heat.

Outside, the original paint remains intact. Additions include a pair of vintage Thrush Sidekicks side-exit exhausts, front and rear tow hooks, a rear hitch receiver, and more.

The Bottom Line

Colin sums up his van by saying, “You don’t see very many left, and it’s a real head-turner. When you drive it, it feels like you’re on top of the world.”

1989 Ford Econoline Van With 1-Ton Running Gear

Jerry Bain of Elizabeth, West Virginia, built this incredible 1989 Ford Econoline 4×4 in his driveway over the course of a year. “Boogie Van” began as a two-wheel-drive former plumber’s van and replaced his Jeep Comanche MJ, which he sold to finance the build. Jerry built this van because it offered significantly more space for him and his wife to travel and explore off-road. He modeled the van after a Matchbox toy he had as a kid—one he always wanted to make a reality.

Borg-Warner 1356 T-Case, 1-Ton Axles

The van is powered by the factory fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8. A C6 three-speed automatic transmission sits between the engine and a Borg-Warner 1356 two-speed transfer case. The T-case was sourced from a 1989 Ford truck.

The stout 1-ton running gear includes a pair of Dana 60 axles. The front was procured from a 1992 Ford truck, and the rear is from a 2006 Ford truck. Both have 4.10:1 gearing.

Coil-Spring Front Suspension And Leaf-Spring Rear Suspension

The rig’s four-link, coil-spring front suspension includes Skyjacker Suspensions’ 6-inch-lift springs and Hydro 8000 shocks. Custom upper and lower control arms are fitted with Barnes 4WD Enduro joints, and a custom track bar is equipped with Barnes 4WD Heim joints.

Out back, suspension duties are handled by custom Skyjacker 6-inch-lift leaf springs and Hydro 8000 shocks.

The rig rides on 35×12.50R17 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires mounted to 9-inch-wide Trail-Gear beadlock wheels.

Custom Bumpers, Roof Rack, And More

The rig’s four-link, coil-spring front suspension includes Skyjacker Suspensions’ 6-inch-lift springs and Hydro 8000 shocks. Custom upper and lower control arms are fitted with Barnes 4WD Enduro joints, and a custom track bar is equipped with Barnes 4WD Heim joints.

Out back, suspension duties are handled by custom Skyjacker 6-inch-lift leaf springs and Hydro 8000 shocks.

The rig rides on 35×12.50R17 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 tires mounted to 9-inch-wide Trail-Gear beadlock wheels.

Exterior And Interior

Outside, the rig is equipped with a 1974 Ford High-Boy–application vintage Warn winch bumper fitted with a Warn winch. The rear of the van features a custom bumper with a pair of dual swingarms. Up top, Jerry created a custom roof rack from a Jeep Wrangler JK–application LoD Offroad rack. The rack is fitted with a row of KC lights, an aluminum deck, and solar panels totaling 400 watts.

Inside, Jerry added a variety of camping-friendly modifications. The list includes a refrigerator, propane heater, television with DVD player, stove, sink, and full-size bed. Altogether, it has everything necessary for extended off-road camping.

The Bottom Line

Jerry has over 20 years of off-roading experience. He says the 1-ton axles and long-arm suspension are his favorite modifications to the rig: “They allow me to keep the van planted while navigating the often off-camber, steep, and rutted terrain of the Appalachian Mountains.”

Since completion, the van has carried the couple on several adventures. Jerry says, “It’s been to Maine, Key West, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Pismo Beach, and Canada a couple of times. Last year, we drove it over 6,000 miles to Baja Mexico and back. It is truly a multipurpose machine.”