Sprinters

After the Nissan thread I looked around and was sort of surprised not to find a thread just about Sprinters. Lots of people on here have put a bunch of time into researching their rigs and sorting the issues. Do you guys prefer the 1st generation or the second?

and what about the new Ford Vans?
mountainproject.com/v/best-…

another found on Steph Davis site:
mobiusconcepts.com/full-van…

sprinter-source.com/forum/

Thanks, I actually found that forum via the google machine about an hour ago. Cool site. I figured it made sense to have a MP thread about Sprinters. The climbers perspective is valued in this corner, not to be found elsewhere! (except Supertopo...)

2007

Pretty sweet lookin' 2007 for about 16k I found on CL.

Look up Iron Mikes Ironclad Beta.

Actually let me save you a click...

mikesironcladbeta.blogspot.…

We absolutely love our Sprinter as a climbing van. We are currently working on a rebolting project at the end of a high clearance almost-4wd road and we routinely go in there and camp with it.

Sonora Pass

That is Bodie

That is Ande

After doing North Ridge Lone Pine Peak (in background)

Headed out to Egyptian Ridge climbs in Nevada

The inside

Another inside

Clove hitch design

Tim Lutz wrote:... Must be nice to have that much cash sitting around to invest in a recreational vehicle!

Climbing > Sport
Sprinter > RV

That thing is looking spendy though. Definitely not the everymans Sprinter. Almost looks like an OutsideVan.

Sweet rig Ney! Definitely one side of the Sprinter spectrum. Nice! On the other end I suppose would be an old beat up first gen with a crashpad bed. And thats cool too!

Anyone have a smart way to attach two Goal Zero Boulder 30 solar panels to roof rack cross bars?? I'm kind of stumped here. I'll share some photos of my 4x4 sprinter DYI build later too. It's cool to see what others are up to with their builds. I've drafted my own construction of the van with a compilation of others' DYI ideas.

Jon Sullivan wrote:Anyone have a smart way to attach two Goal Zero Boulder 30 solar panels to roof rack cross bars?? I'm kind of stumped here. I'll share some photos of my 4x4 sprinter DYI build later too. It's cool to see what others are up to with their builds. I've drafted my own construction of the van with a compilation of others' DYI ideas.

4x4? Did you convert or buy a 2016?

I used a Vantech ladder rack($300) that mounts to the rain gutters and then drilled holes(2 for each end of the panel to be mounted) in the cross members. I used 1/4-20 stainless all-thread and nylok wingnut. The panel sits inside the cross members which makes it so you can barely see that it is a solar panel. I used the wingnuts so I can easily remove one side and tilt the panel for maximum sunnage. I used an Amerisolar 250w panel($250), it seems like the Boulder 30 has a similar design. If that doesn't work you could fab some sort of picture frame style mounting bracket.

Does anyone know if plexi/lexan/glass would greatly reduce the efficacy of a solar panel?

mountainproject.com/v/build…

There are some pics on the second page of the rig I am working on right now.

We will be adding an Engel 60QT fridge, a Suburban drop in stove, a water pump for the sink, a porta-potti, a swivel passenger seat, some cork flooring and some walnut trim.

yeah my wife and I financed a 2015 4x4 Sprinter. currently building. Bought it as a cargo van so the interior was literally unfinished metal which made for a great DYI canvas. All is coming along well but these solar panels dont seem to have an easy way of attaching solely to the cross bars I installed ( no pre installed tracks, had to fasten bolt on "gutters" for the yakima 1A control towers). I have seen the van works idea mentioned above but I cannot bring myself to spend that much for the install. I think I can just be creative and come up with something. Its been a great cross between creativity and trade skill during this build process. I think I really enjoy it. It is a bit stressing though when you HAVE to move into it and the clock is ticking.

Good building to all,

JS

Mike Brady and anyone else driving RWD Sprinters (Not referring to 4x4):

How do Sprinters handle western US steep dirt roads?

What are favored Sprinter tires for combo highway, dirt roads and snow?

We've had good luck with the Sprinter's ability to handle steep roads - once we figured out to turn off the ASR feature which is worthless. I don't even know what ASR means, but it works by applying the brake to the spinning tire and reducing engine load. Turn it off and it will go into a sub-gear-1 granny gear and climb well.

I have good clearance but I've but on a little larger tire and one additional spring on the rear so I may have gained a few inches. I've heard the Ford is front wheel drive and is lower?

I put on Cooper AT/3 tires and I like them.

I have been stuck in the mud and snow and I carry traction sleds, a compressor and shovel. 4wd would be nice but we didn't want to wait for it.

Bridged across a creek bed and stuck.

Keep moving!

Jon Sullivan wrote:yeah my wife and I financed a 2015 4x4 Sprinter. currently building. All is coming along well but these solar panels dont seem to have an easy way of attaching solely to the cross bars I installed ( no pre installed tracks, had to fasten bolt on "gutters" for the yakima 1A control towers). I think I really enjoy it. It is a bit stressing though when you HAVE to move into it and the clock is ticking. Good building to all, JS

Serious van envy going on here with the 4x4!!

Do you have any access to a drill press or a manual mill?
Maybe?
This is a total hack but you get the idea. Does your unit have a "flange" that runs parallel to the panel for mounting?

I hear ya on the stress, I am in the same position and had to move in and build while living in the van. Luckily it is in a comfortable enough spot.

mountainhick wrote:Mike Brady and anyone else driving RWD Sprinters (Not referring to 4x4): How do Sprinters handle western US steep dirt roads? What are favored Sprinter tires for combo highway, dirt roads and snow?

I have the 158 WB with a SHC which makes it feel pretty much like you are enduring heavy seas but it gets it done. Unfortunately with the duelly setup(15'' wheel) I am pretty limited with tire selection as well. I researched better options but could not find any good info for my setup. Any info would be appreciated.

What kind of mileage do the diesel 4x4 sprinters get? Ive heard oil changes and servicing have to be done by the dealer, not just any independent shop, is that true?

For those of you that have one of the new 2015 4x4 models, what options did you get and what was your out the door cost.

Also, anyone out there use Mobius Concepts to build them an interior, kinda wondering what a build goes for.

Are the current generation Sprinters having the rust issues that the early ones did? I love the idea of a small diesel engine in a big van, but that problem has kept me away in the past.

Hey, my friend Greg (also a climber) runs a site about Sprinter conversions. Not trolling, just thought it'd be useful! Cheers.

sprinter-rv.com/