AWD vans are a favorite for overland travel with recent offerings including this 1999 Chevy Astro, 2010 GMC Savana, and 2022 Ford Transit. These vehicles supply the practicalities of a van and enough traction to navigate most overlanding scenarios. If you want to elevate the backcountry performance of your AWD van, there’s no shortage of aftermarket support. Cue today’s 1997 GMC Safari (173,000 miles), which showcases tasteful upgrades and a well-equipped camper conversion. At $10,000, this is a lot of bang for your buck and would be an awesome investment to kick off adventures in 2025. The Safari offers comfortable interior living space within a modest footprint and is subsequently a popular platform for travel. If you’d like to learn more about this vehicle, then check out builds from AutoMotivate, Timelapse Pictures, and the Shredist.
From the Seller:
“The van is in very good shape mechanically, and everything in the camper is working well. It does need some finishing by the new owner. I purchased the van with around 119,000 miles on it. The goal was to use it for hauling supplies for a renovation, but it turned into more of a camper pretty quickly. I did a bunch of maintenance upon purchasing, and over my years of ownership, I have been over or replaced just about every part of this van. In preparation for selling, I also made sure everything was set mechanically and spent around $6,500 on repairs in the past calendar year. At this point, I feel it is very reliable and ready to go on long trips.”
1997 GMC Safari AWD
The GMC is fitted with a 4.3-liter V6 that produces 190 horsepower, 250 pound-feet of torque, and returns a combined 16 mpg. A dependable motor is matched with all-terrain capability thanks to AWD, all-terrain tires, and lifted and upgraded suspension. These rugged attributes are balanced with driver comforts that include:
- Captain’s chairs
- Aftermarket stereo
- Power steering, windows, and locks
- Air-conditioning
- Cupholders
Distinguishing Features
- Lifted suspension (2 inches)
- Auxiliary lighting
- Awning
- Battleborn 100-amp-hour battery, Renogy 700-watt inverter, Bluetooth module, DC-DC battery charger, and 200-watt solar suitcase
- Iceco VL60 dual zone fridge/freezer
- Maxxfan Deluxe
- Fabworx folding seat/bed
This 1997 GMC Safari AWD is listed for $10,000 and is currently located in Massachusetts. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.
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