If you have not done so check the front rotors, calipers, pads, bearings, WARN hub, etc. before you go for a drive. The Dynatrac does a good job when you are out and about but it needs a lot of attention.
You should find out what gears are installed and whether there is a limited slip, locker or any other upgrades and the manufacturer. After 180K mi I got tired of replacing the disks in the limited slip. Did a bunch of research and decided on upgrading to a full floater with the TruTrak. The diffs have 4:10 gears but no one would know until they took the cover off and found the part number scratched somewhere on the housing.
These platforms are underbuilt. My rig runs around 9K pounds. They should have built the van on at least a 1 1/2 ton platform. Since they did not, maintenance and repairs are frequent and can be expensive. But we travel full time and tow a 29' 1976 Airstream. On the other hand many of these rigs weigh in the range of 10,000# or more. I certainly do not take my van (without the trailer) on the more aggressive routes like the Rubicon but do not shy away from a path that requires the use of FWD. We just like traveling to remote settings.
We are in Vegas because we stop in to repair any damage from our summer driving on our way south and have the maintenance done by a mechanic I know and trust. We then stop back in Vegas to have the repairs and maintenance done on our way north. I have been using Gil's auto repair in Henderson for about 5 years. I used to do almost all of my own work on my vehicles but I am 70 and know if a mechanic is messing around with me. Gil and the mechanics are straight up honest and now know how to do maintenance and repairs on a 2004 Sportsmobile van. I just had him replace the sticky front calipers, pads, rotors, ball joints (always a problem) rear disks and pads. Since the front calipers had never been replaced it was time but the pads wore through a week ago and destroyed the rotors. These rigs are a good solution to traveling to or in a remote part of a desert or mountain range. Just try not to break anything because towing, parts and labor are very expensive.
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