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The first Ford Econoline vans I drove had solid axles with leaf springs front and back. They were OK but didn’t drive or handle as good as my current E-Series van. Their very short wheelbase gave them great turning radius but ride was a little choppy. Fortunately, roads were all asphalt back then and a million times smoother than many Interstates today.
I test drove a new VW Vanagon decades ago, and salesman asked me to drop right-side wheels off payment at 60 MPH or so, and the handling was far better than I expected. Fast forward a decade or more and I purchased a German sedan with semi-trailing-arm independent rear suspension, and the ride and handling was much better than the Ford with solid axle and leaf springs it replaced.
Another sign of trend is that Ford eventually upgraded Expedition and Explorer large RWD SUVs to IRS, and one could argue that it forced GM to also upgrade Suburban to IRS. Now electric pickups and vans are going to IRS, in large part due to drivetrain packaging, so it will be interesting to see if IRS is offered as an option on gas-engine F-150 and Transit. I know IRS would add a little cost, but would gladly pay for upgrade if vans like Transit offered it as an option.
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