"THE SPRINTER"   

 

  In June of 2017 I ordered a Sprinter (Mercedes Benz) 4x4 Cargo van.  The van was built in the Sprinter plant in Dusseldorf Germany on July 25th and shipped to the eastern seaboard (NC). The vehicle arrived in late October, was reassembled (thank NAFTA) and shipped to the left coast.  I took delivery of the rig just before Christmas. 

​

Our objective in the purchase of the new MB was to do a DIY van conversion. Recently retired and feeling the "effects" of long distance motorcycle travel, it was my goal to create a vehicle that could support our lifestyle including the four season endeavors.

​

This rig, when completed would offer all the amenities of home, albeit - tiny house - in comfort and style much unlike that which we had been used to in our previous long distance and "exposed" motorcycle adventure travels.   Of course we continue to ride the "GS" and enjoy the open air environment, but our needs now require support and comfort for four seasons.  

​

This page will encompass the build with photos, timelines and brief narrative on processes and decisions on construction.  If by chance you have comment or questions, by all means don't hesitate to email me.

Advbasecamp@yahoo.com

​

Below you will find a rough outline of build components and timeline. You will also find a myriad of photos of the build below the outline.

​

​

Sprinter Build Component Timelines

 

Installed:

Black Rhino Wheels x 5

BFG AT KO2 Tires

Side door window tint

Engine hood black out wrap

PIAA bulbs in all front lights

12’ x 12” ply table @ center console w/ Plasti coat spray coating

Assist handle @ sliding door

CR Lawrance glass in side sliding door

CR Lawrance windows rear both sides

Max Aire fan roof

Blue Skies 12vdc Fuse box

Start pulling 12vdc wiring 14 and 16ga wire

Start insulation of walls and ceiling

Noico sound deadening matt

1/2” closed cell foam glued in w/ 3M spray glue

Thinsulate 1’ blanket insulation

Reflectix insulation (cut X into reflectix sheeting to allow venting of

condensation on interior of steel walls of van.

LED 12vdc lights into 2@ ceiling panels (wired) 8@ of 3” diam

bolted into ceiling w/ “L” track single point mounts

Exterior 12” LED light on passenger side rear of van (night light)

Interior panels (finished surfaces) all 3mm 4ply w/ ¼ open cell foam covered with auto

grade upholstry (glued w/3M 90).

“L” track mounting system 2@ on each side wall of van – for mounting larger

components.

½ closed cell foam in low sections of bare steel floor w/ 3M spray glue

Bed Rug matt (1” thick poly hydrophobic) on floor

1/2” Wirsbo pecs flex pipe (routed) in ¾ maple floor w/ aluminum conducting plate

tubing inlaid under floor later to be connected to Espar Hydronic system giving

heated floor circuit. Separate manifold system that can be turned off for summer

The flooring is through bolted with 5/8” bolts. Heads of bolts countersunk and

epoxy poured over bolt heads later sanded flush.

Floor sealed with marine varnish all sides / waterproofing

Loncoin vinyl floor glued onto ply floor

Start work on install of Espar D5 Hydronic heating system. Would need to build all under chassis mounts and pecs pipe hangers as well as electrical harnesses

Manifolds designed to accommodate:

4 gallon Isotherm AC/DC water heater (under chassis)

Heat exchangers (air) 2 fans for circ. 19K btu output

heated floor

tanks warmers: 25 gal fresh water tank (interior)

20 gal gray water tank (below chassis mount)

Bed mounting system using 2” “L” track and other structural steel and plywood

mattress / queen size 4” foam w/2” memory foam top cut to length

Sewn storage pockets for panels on rear doors. Upholstered panels

Upholstered wall panels @ bed location

Upholstered panels over insulated doors and wall pockets

 

 

25 gallon fresh water tank secured to floor and wall

water pump

20 gallon gray water tank (under carriage) drained to from sink and shower.

Shower spray unit into plumbing box providing hot and cold access from rear (garage)

Build framing for galley to accommodate:

isotherm 65 (4cu ft) SS Drawer type frig / freezer

12x12x6” SS sink w/ faucet and water filter faucet

Cabinets / drawers for galley

mount electrical controls for heat exchanger fans

ducting for 4” venting into living area from heat exchanger

4” venting into garage area (below bed)

Counter tops – w/cutouts for sink and stove

Aluminum tile plates in galley – above counters @ stove and sink

Secure stove and sink with fixtures into countertops

LED light bars 1@ above stove and sink

“L” track into garage floor to accommodate QR mounts for bikes

Plywood cabinets / cubbys for storage above and at sides of bed

Side lights under cabinets at head of head 2@

Light controls into cabinet

for house lights (8x3’ LEDs)

exterior LED light

12vdc USB outlets

120vac GFI outlet x2 (wired into Inverter and Shore power)

Work station for drivers seat ¾ ply w/ drop down wall mount

Work station for passenger side / floor mount pedestal

LED flex stem lights (red and warm white light) mounted over and near both

work stations.

Wall mount control panel for Espar controls behind drivers seat

Shore power through wall connection 30 amp service

Go Power solar package (Elite)

2@ 175 watt solar panels

1@ 100 watt solar panel

2000 watt pure sine inverter with charge controller for solar

4@ 6vdc deep cycle AGM 110amp hour batteries 440amp hr bank

2@ 30 amp breaker boxes

1@ 200 amp vdc fuse w/quick disconnect switch.

Interior remote readout and control panels mounted near galley area

battery temperature sensor and sending unit

Badland Bumpers

front and rear bumpers w/ dual swingout for spare and other mount

Side steps with full length rock rails

under engine skid plate

Clearwater 6000 lumen variable control driving lights

Baja Designs 12” light bar (amber and white).

Wood / fiberglass / epoxy shower base with 1” drain connections to gray water

Wood / fiberglass / epoxy shower stall mounted to “L” track and installed cabinet

Skanvic marine grade SS shower control w/ 6’ SS flex hose and shower head.

SS coat hooks @ shower and galley

“L” track single point “O” rings for towels

Aluminum heat deflector plate in ceiling area above stove

Pullout drawer @ center / bottom bed bulkhead w/250lb drawer slide (storage)

10” LED light on inside passenger door

for lighting area outside garage when doors are open

6@ LED lights on ceiling of garage (under bed) for illuminating garage area

1 LED light mounted on water tank to illuminate to see water level

Shut off switch in garage area for water pump

Dragonfly tarp mount to accommodate fly 11’ x 11’ along length of passenger side

Insulate all pecs tubing under carriage w/ rubberized pipe wrap

BOSS airbags for rear suspension support

DUDMD performance engine tune