The three most-converted vans in the United States. We build on all three. Here is what we tell people who ask which one to buy — straight, with the trade-offs intact.
The honest answer is that there is no single winner. Each van is the right answer for a different kind of build. People who pick the wrong platform spend the rest of the build wishing they had picked the other one. Below is what each platform is actually good at, what it costs, and which one we would tell you to buy if you described your build to us.
Standing room. The high-roof Sprinter is around 81 inches tall inside — most adults can stand fully upright. The platform handles long wheelbases well, so you can build a real bed, a real galley, and a real bathroom in one van. Best ride on the highway of the three.
The most expensive base van of the three. Diesel maintenance is more involved than the gasoline platforms, and Sprinter-specific service is harder to find outside metro areas.
Full-time vanlifers, families, anyone over six feet tall, anyone doing a serious build that needs the headroom. If you are spending serious time inside the van, Sprinter is usually the right call.
Diesel-specific climate parts (Espar D2L). No factory AWD on newer years. If AWD matters more than headroom, look at Transit. See Mercedes Sprinter Platform.
AWD. Transit has factory AWD on 2020+ models, and Quigley Q-Lift is the path to true 4WD with low range. We are one of seven authorized Q-Lift installers in the country. If the build needs to leave pavement, Transit is the answer.
Less expensive than Sprinter, more than ProMaster. Gasoline drivetrain — easier maintenance, parts availability anywhere there is a Ford dealer.
Anyone who wants AWD. Anyone overland-curious. Anyone who needs a van that handles snow, gravel, or remote forest roads. Customers who would otherwise be looking at a 4x4 SUV but need the cargo room of a van.
High roof Transit is around 78 inches inside — a couple inches shorter than Sprinter. Tall people notice. The Quigley Trail spotlight package is the OZK answer to the discontinued Ford Transit Trail. See Ford Transit Platform and Quigley Trail.
Width and value. The ProMaster is 75 inches wide inside — wider than Sprinter or Transit. That width lets you sleep crosswise without compromising leg room, which makes the build shorter and easier to park. Cheapest of the three to acquire.
Lowest base price, gasoline drivetrain, FWD. Lowest cost of ownership of the three for non-AWD use cases. The width also reduces interior cabinetry costs because the layouts simplify.
Cost-conscious builders, fleet/work van customers, anyone building a mobile-business van where stealth and width matter more than off-pavement capability. Great first van for someone new to van life.
No factory AWD. We do not perform ProMaster 4x4 conversions — the aftermarket options do not meet our standards. If AWD matters, look at Transit. See Ram ProMaster Platform and why we don't do ProMaster 4x4.
Need AWD? Transit. Full stop. There is no other factory-supported AWD path in this category.
Spending serious time inside? Sprinter. The headroom and ride quality compound over months on the road.
Budget-conscious or width-driven? ProMaster. The width opens layouts the other two cannot fit, and the price keeps the rest of the build affordable.
We build on all three. The platform is your call — but the platform decision should come before the build decision, not after. If you want help thinking it through, tell us what the van is for and we will give you our honest read.
OZK's Transit-specific install playbook — fitment, AWD, and Transit-only options.
ExploreSprinter-specific install playbook — high-roof builds, AWD, and Sprinter fitment.
ExploreProMaster-specific install playbook — wide cabin, FWD layout, and ProMaster fitment.
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