Lots of folks, many with minimal experience in these types of Euro-style vans, claim wind will make the them undriveable. In reality it is a minor annoyance. A bigger factory is center of gravity height. It is easy to make an overland build that is very top heavy. This only makes handling and sway worse. Of course a properly valved fox shock and correct sway bar stiffness can do amazing things if needed.
Like atoine says, the standing room is nearly priceless for an overland/full time application.
As for driving on backroads, easy 4WD tracks etc, I most anything too short for a 8ft tall van, are often too gnarly to drive a 20ft+ long 8,000lb vehicle down (at least comfortably). Of course if you are talking technical 4x4 type stuff, its a different matter.
I think the current generation of 4x4 kits under development will make the transit very popular for overlanding in the USA. I would not be surprised if the number of 4x4 converted transits exceed rolling E series 4x4 numbers in the next 5 or 6 years.
