I am not a van guy, truth be told. Of all the vehicles available for overland travel, I tend to be biased toward solid-axle 4WD vehicles such as the Land Rover Defender 130 or the Land Cruiser Troopy. These vehicles give me the fizz and, more importantly, suit my style of travel as I prefer capability over comfort. That said, the Mojave Van from 1 Of 1 Vans has the potential to sway my opinion as, after enjoying a guided tour of the van at Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, I could see the potential of such an exquisite vehicle for long-term overland travel. Maybe I am getting soft in my old age, but an hour spent in the Mojave van had me seriously considering what it may be like to travel in a vehicle that could explore 99 percent of the terrain that our Defender has covered over the years but with a lot more comfort and, presumably, reliability. The Mojave Van blends a rough-and-ready base and exterior with an exquisite Swiss-chocolate interior, offering the best of both worlds for the well-heeled explorer.
The Mojave, guaranteed to turn heads wherever it may be, is equipped with an array of features to enhance off-road capability and performance. The exterior and performance upgrades include:
- Power steps;
- An onboard compressed air system with air hose chucks;
- A full-size spare tire carrier;
- A dedicated spare tire winch.
Safety and recovery are ensured with skid plates, a 12,000-pound front winch, a recovery gear set, and a locking differential. For lighting, it features a 6 x 60-watt light bar, load lights with a quick turn-on system on three sides, front bumper fog lights, rear bumper assist lights, and underbody rock lights. A 4-inch hybrid lift, second strut kit, Baja shock brackets, and 6,500-pound leaf springs enhance the Mojave’s off-road performance. Braking is upgraded with 6-piston front brakes with 13.5-inch rotors and 4-piston rear brakes with 14-inch rotors. Additionally, it includes a Hellwig sway bar and a locking differential, providing superior control and stability on challenging terrains.
These upgrades, combined with 35 x 12-inch all-terrain tires on 20 x 12-inch custom rims with beadlocks, make this van more capable than most. It can break away from the van herds and follow the more hardcore 4WDs when the trail gets demanding for a conventional van.
The exterior of the Mojave van also incorporates innovative technological features such as a motorized weBoost antenna, a 6 x 60-watt light bar, load lights with a quick turn-on system, and underbody rock lights. An 800-watt, 4.1-channel exterior sound system would not be on my upgrade list but may be essential for a social overlander.
Inside, the Mojave is a haven of comfort; the earlier Swiss-chocolate adjective is inspired not only by the shades of chocolate brown but also by the classic luxury that the interior exudes. It is a wonderful place to spend time, and the longer you look at the interior features and build quality, the greater your admiration grows. With a 6-foot 5-inch floor-to-ceiling clearance and four-season hybrid insulation, it is designed to provide a cozy environment regardless of the weather. The van’s interior is meticulously crafted, featuring seamless ceiling and wall panels, a single-piece floor panel with marine-grade vinyl, and internal structure enforcement brace kits for added durability. The interior also includes window extension pods to maximize interior space, dimmable recessed ceiling poke lights, ambient plasma LED lights for visibility and mood, and multiple USB and 110-volt outlets, ensuring connectivity during travels.
With its 3 Drive/3 Sleep design, the Mojave van offers a versatile and luxurious interior, including an optional front inflatable bed for a third occupant. The interior features fine leather and Alcantara trim adorning panels, doors, and the dash panel. The seating includes front Scheel-Mann Vario XL seats with swivels, a second-row full-size Scheel-Mann Vario XL seat with adjustments, and powder-coated seat bases.
The well-equipped living space includes:
- A 14-inch artificial stone sink with a full-size faucet;
- A shower with a recessed-floor-integrated shower pan and curtain;
- A 2.6-gallon portable toilet;
- Aluminum cabinetry with a leather-upholstered powder-coated finish and;
- Teak hardwood countertops.
The kitchen area features a 12-gallon refrigerator with a freezer, a 9.5-gallon freezer, and a two-burner induction stove. The interior also includes:
- A retractable and foldable teak hardwood table;
- A queen-size bed and;
- An 8-inch travel lift bed system with adjustable storage height.
Additional features include a full-size 35 x 58-inch garage drawer for gear and tools storage, window curtains, an onboard mobile radio (digital and analog), and a video recorder with a dash cam and backup functionality.
Entertainment is a significant focus in the Mojave. In addition to the exterior sound system, the interior is outfitted with an 800-watt, 6-channel high-end audio system, a 250-watt subwoofer, and a Halo Alpine 11-inch screen head unit for seamless control and navigation. A 24-inch smart TV with three different arm attachment points offers versatile viewing options.
The Mojave’s power and system management are top-notch. It features a 3,000-amp high-output main alternator, a supplementary 280-amp dual alternator system, and a 630-amp-hour lithium battery power plant. The van also supports up to 400 watts of solar charge, ensuring a sustainable energy solution. Monitoring and control are made easy with a 3.5-inch LCD screen providing information on power, tank levels, temperatures, and pressure.
The van also includes:
- Two separate water management panels;
- Lithium battery app monitoring;
- An inverter remote panel for comprehensive power management.
The van’s plumbing and insulation systems feature an 8-kilowatt hydronic diesel heater for both water and air heating, a 3-kilo-watt air heater integrated with the original Mercedes vents, and a 2-kilowatt roof low-profile AC unit. The water management system includes two 20-gallon freshwater tanks, a 9-gallon graywater tank, and a 5-gallon drinking water system.
Clearly, this is a van that stands head and shoulders above many in the market due to the quality of the fit and finishes as well as the well-considered and functional approach to off-grid travel. The cost for the Mojave van build ranges from $130,000 to $280,000 depending on the client’s specifications, bringing the total price of a fully optioned vehicle up to approximately $350,000, which includes the $70,000 base price for a new van. Additional charges may apply for special-order trims, features, and finishes, as the builds are typically customized to meet client specifications.
We recently wrote about a million-dollar van, and from where I am sitting, the Mojave is a superior vehicle billed at much less than half the price while catering to a niche buyer with specific requirements and a taste for the finer things in life.
Read More: Van DIY Conversion Kits :: Buyers Guide
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