Iveco Daily 4x4 press photo

IVECO Daily 4×4 would make the best daily driver rock smasher

Christopher Tracy

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Like most of us, I spend too much time browsing the Internet. Mainly too much time browsing Expedition Portals classified ads, Reddit’s r/overlanding, and Craigslist. I’m always on the lookout for a suitable overland travel platform. Expedition Portal is a great place if you’re looking for a vehicle that is already built out. Jeff even found a 60-foot Expedition Yacht that caused me to look at this whole overland travel in a new way. You don’t have to use something with four-wheels?!?!

I’ve run into several builds over time with Iveco trucks. These trucks are larger than most Land Cruisers and Land Rovers, but smaller than Mitsubishi Fusos or the Ford F-550 platforms. I’ve always been curious about the Ivecos and found a video reviewing the latest crew cab 4×4 version.

Andrew St. Pierre White is the host of 4xoverland on YouTube and is the overland version of Jeff Glucker. He travels a lot, uses loads of equipment that we don’t always see in the states, and makes YouTube videos.

About that other truck though

Andrew’s current overland vehicle is a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series Troop Carrier (Troopy). It’s forbidden fruit here in the U.S. and a vehicle that I will continue to lust over until I drive one. His has a turbo diesel with an Alu-cab roof camper conversion as well. A properly kitted rig.

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser 78 Troop Carrier

Even Andrew has been interested in the Iveco Daily 4x4s, so he arranged a test drive over some notable Australian obstacles near Perth. Spoiler alert: sand dunes, uneven sections of dirt road, and some rocks don’t slow down the Iveco at all.

Iveco Daily 4×4 Crew Cab specifications:

  • Engine: 3.0L Turbo Diesel four-cylinder, 170 hp & 295 lb.-ft.
  • Transmission: Six-speed overdrive manual
  • Transfer Cases: Two for double low range transmission with 24 forward gears and 4 reverse gears.
  • Wheelbase: 3.4m or 133.9 inches
  • Standard front, center, & rear differential locks

Watch Andrew’s review and decide for yourself.

I’m still in love with the Land Cruiser Troop Carrier, but I wouldn’t turn down a trip across Western Australian in an Iveco Daily 4×4 Camper either.

About

Christopher Tracy

Christopher Tracy

Chris works in marketing by day and writes offroad automotive pieces by night. Chris is the producer/cohost of the Off The Road Again Podcast. A dad trying to get his kids outside more. IG: @overlandingdad.

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18 responses to “IVECO Daily 4×4 would make the best daily driver rock smasher”

  1. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    I have nothing to say about utilitarian vehicles in a not-quite-utilitarian context – but for overlanding, you surely need a landyacht.

    That’s the exit here, right?

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Rolls has the Cullinan now, and arguably, Escalades are the new Seville, so in a way, you’re right.

      Reply
  2. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    I’ll have to watch the video later to confirm, but do they discuss longevity? The Canadian Armed Forces ran the VM90 (the military version of the 90’s Daily) for a few years, and they seemed tempting since they come up for sale rather cheaply, but from what I hear they were… not great. Not sure if 25 years of improvements have fixed those issues, or just not some sloppy North Americanization (*cough*automatic conversion*cough*) and being put in the hands of indifferent users to cause problems mean they’re not so bad.

    https://www.gcsurplus.ca/lotImages/FS1621581.JPEG

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Even though Iveco drivers have to tolerate Italian-quality-jokes, I’m under the impression that they work well mechanically during their service life. That’s what people are telling me, I’ve never even been inside one myself though.

      The German obsession with vast, untouched land masses creates a big overlanding community. The Daily seems to be a common choice, with some odd creations like this one included (castle door ftw):

      While looking for it, I found a clip of the crap I watched as a kid. A yellow Volvo 66 provides crime solving properties!:

      Reply
      1. crank_case Avatar
        crank_case

        2WD Ivecos seem to have been the most common base for professional campervan conversions/motorhomes for ages. Funnily enough, often German tourists blocking up a damn fine rally stage level driving road on the Wesht of Ireland. Overlanders are just hipster caravaners, ruining a good touge run. 😀

        Reply
        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          I think there would be more Fiats because the fwd allows a much lower floor.

          Reply
          1. crank_case Avatar
            crank_case

            Yeah, you’re probably right, there’s loads of Fiat Ducato as well, especially for the smaller campers, but no shortage of Ivecos out there either, certainly compared to RWD stuff that has a bigger foothold in regular commercials like the Transit/Sprinter/VW Crafter. I suspect it hits a sweetspot of more reliable than people credit (same applies to Fiat), but a cheaper chassis for builders.

            Fiat/Iveco were linked at one point too, which may have something to do with the popularity of both.

          2. outback_ute Avatar
            outback_ute

            Coincidentally I saw a giant Iveco based camper today, would have been nearly 40′ long and possibly 4wd.

        2. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          Haha, I am 100% with you! My summer commute is about 20-40% slower than my winter commute, counterintuitively, due to German tourists driving super slow and taking pictures of waterfalls, the general view etc. Those with tires and snorkels everywhere are the only cliché that’s worse than the common RV pest.

          Reply
  3. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I so wish the 70 Series trucks were available in the States.

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      Most other markets don’t get them either, I think it’s just Australia really where people will pay the premium, though we can easily import used examples from Japan due to no 25 year rule and no real single vehicle type approval requirement (which has downsides too)

      Reply
  4. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    If you don’t mind a 25 year old RHD grey import, Landcruiser 78 troopies are easily buyable and registerable in most of the US.My smallish town boasts 4 of them, a troop carrier, a crewcab, a 4 door wagon and a SWB 2 door. Plus a Nissan Patrol, some other RHD diesel Landcruisers and 2 or 3 Mitsubishi Delica 4×4 vans

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      There’s a clean Patrol in LA that I’m watching. Plus a RHD Pajero keeps dropping its price on CL.

      Reply
    2. Christopher Tracy Avatar
      Christopher Tracy

      I definitely want to drive an RHD vehicle for a day or two before I commit to one. I don’t go through too many drive-thru’s without a passenger, so that wouldn’t be too big a deal. A 1HZ Troop Carrier is on my list! Just aren’t a lot of RHD vehicles in the Midwest that I could borrow to find out how big a deal it would be.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Fun fact: Kazakhstan forbid RHD cars because of a rise of collisions on two lane road passings. So they were all sold cheaply to Kyrgyzstan, which added extra drive through coms, parking ticket machines etc. on the other side of where drivers would normally be.

        Reply
      2. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Fun fact: Kazakhstan forbid RHD cars because of a rise of collisions on two lane road passings. So they were all sold cheaply to Kyrgyzstan, which added extra drive through coms, parking ticket machines etc. on the other side of where drivers would normally be.

        Reply
  5. outback_ute Avatar
    outback_ute

    Patrols are arguably better mechanically. Coincidentally today I saw my uncle’s diesel cab-chassis with an aftermarket turbo.

    Using an Iveco as a daily might work in the US where parking is geared towards 20′ vehicles, also the 10’+ height is something to be aware of.

    I drove an Iveco van recently with the 4cyl TD and 8sp auto, it was pretty decent even if it could have done with more body rigidity. I think we got over 20mpg mostly highway. Not bad for something 9 feet tall.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      That’s an idea for a future post: A well-structured, clear argument for what vehicle is better suited to a specific task. I would also rather get a Patrol, but couldn’t give you a list of specific reasons (other than parts supply in the regions of the world I am interested in*).

      *This is too good not to share:
      https://cdn.acidcow.com/pics/20190118/gifs_23.gif

      Reply