The Autobot weapons specialist who transforms into a red van is Ironhide.
In the Generation 1 portrayal, Ironhide is one of Optimus Prime’s oldest and most experienced warriors. He serves as a security chief and weapons specialist, giving the Autobots a heavily armed veteran who is often more direct and battle-hardened than the team’s younger members. His tough personality and willingness to fight at close range helped make him a distinctive early Autobot.
After the Ark reaches prehistoric Earth, Teletraan I repairs and reformats the dormant robots using local vehicles. Ironhide’s Earth alternate mode resembles a red Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette, sometimes described more generally as a red Japanese van. The vehicle disguise reflects the original series’ idea that Transformers could hide among human technology.
Ironhide is often confused with Ratchet because both are large van-based Autobots in G1. Ratchet is primarily the team’s medic, while Ironhide is associated with security, combat, and weapons. Later adaptations redesign him substantially: the live-action films, for example, depict him as a black GMC TopKick pickup rather than the classic red van.