Sprinter build thread

[Paul_E_D]

Well, As some of you know I just bought a 2006 Sprinter site unseen from 2200 miles away. It's a 118 wheel base (shorty) van with the super high roof. It has a minimalist conversion already done, but this is a project for me, so I figured I would start a thread about it.

She arrived yesterday after covering 2200 miles flawlessly in 38 hours of almost straight through driving.



I knew it had a solar system from the pictures, but the salesman knew nothing about it. That's OK, I'll figure it out...



Hmmm... Where does all this power go?

I found two deep cell batteries under the floor.



They have seen some New Mexico dust storms!!!

She's getting a makeover Mercedes style.

[nhbubba]

You are currently a little bit of my hero.

What's the plan? Camper? Toy hauler? Little of both?

[Stromper]

Yes they are great I had one follow me through the mountain roads

[Rada]

Paint and Rims... Need to maintain the PW factor

[AVI8_636]

You are currently a little bit of my hero.

What's the plan? Camper? Toy hauler? Little of both?

Seriously, same here! I've always wanted a sprinter as a camper/toy hauler. Really interested to see how this turns out!

[Paul_E_D]

My plan is really just to optimize the conversion for my needs. Surfing, track days, and MX are what most of my weekends consist of. I will be adding a vertical "closet" to hang wetsuits, race suits, etc. It wall also get an inside board rack, and a double bed extension Not going to put bikes inside it. I can tow. That just compromises the living space.

I am also doing a little bit of a cosmetic restoration as the desert sun has shagged the paint on this one. ZERO rust though!

I drove the guy who delivered it to Logan and back in the rig yesterday. The thing is AWESOME. The turbo diesel has some real pep and almost cab over wheels handling is pretty fun. It also gets 25 mpg!

Did I mention I'm selling my car, so it's just this and the bike.

[nhbubba]

I'm sure you've seen this.. but it is worthy of reposting: doing it right



Once I wear my daily driver into the ground, I am seriously considering replacing it with a high roof van.

[Trouble]

The thing that really blows me away about these is the handling. For being ridiculously tall I find there isn't nearly as much body roll as I'd expect. When their loaded even the wind buffeting from trucks and cross winds is less than you'd expect. I've always liked the way my truck handled until I drove a Sprinter for a week and got back in the truck.

Congrats on the sweet ride!

[Paul_E_D]

This shorty version handles better than a lot of cars I've driven!

[-Dutch-]

I used to drive (a long) one for work, great vehicles. Low enough to bomb around anywhere in Boston if that's your poison. Be aware that the oem tires are complete crap in any kind of snow if you plan on driving it in the winter, though.

[Chippertheripper]

Jelly.
Do want.

[Paul_E_D]

I used to drive (a long) one for work, great vehicles. Low enough to bomb around anywhere in Boston if that's your poison. Be aware that the oem tires are complete crap in any kind of snow if you plan on driving it in the winter, though.

I plan to invest in some oversized BFG A/T tires for that reason, and also to improve the ride. I will run them with a little less air than spec to improve the ride further. I hear that things improve dramatically right around 55 pounds.

[nhbubba]

I had BFG A/Ts on my last pickup. Truck came with them from the factory. It is the sort of thing where I never would have paid for them myself, but once I had them I realized what I was missing. When they wore out at 65k I put another set on without even thinking about it. They were fantastic in the snow.

[TripleTaco]

Great Van! If you dont already know, I believe that "inteli-power" device is a RV converter, made by progressive dynamics. It makes 12vdc from 120vac, so you should have and external 120v hookup for shore or gen power somewhere. The converter will power the 12v accessories as well as recharge your batteries. Looks like that is the larger, 60amp model they make.

[Paul_E_D]

Yes, It has a plug outside for shore power. I understand that I can plug that guy in to the shore power outlet for 12V power. What I'm trying to figure out right now is how to use the solar power through the inverter. It seems like both systems should be charging the batteries, but the inverter won't turn on right now.

[JettaJayGLS]

Crap Paul, my jealousy is infinite! Nice buy!

[typeone]

sub'd love it!

[TTD]

Yes, It has a plug outside for shore power. I understand that I can plug that guy in to the shore power outlet for 12V power. What I'm trying to figure out right now is how to use the solar power through the inverter. It seems like both systems should be charging the batteries, but the inverter won't turn on right now.

There is always an electrical section on any RV forum that will have all this info.

The newer RV's have finally started using that huge roof space for solar panels. They even have lightweight, flexible panels that conform to the roof shape and you can walk on them! That's pretty cool.

[Paul_E_D]

Yeah, I'm getting an education in this stuff. Problem is that these are almost all custom installs and each one is different depending on usage. I'm basically going to have to trace wires around til I have it figured out. Looks like one battery is charged via solar, and the other by alternator/shore power. Then I have to figure out what is wired to power what.

The good news is that the gurus say I have some nice kit here. The panel is big, and takes up most of the roof. I doubt I can walk on it. It also precludes the roof platform I wanted. Oh well, untethered power trumps rook racks any day.

[nhbubba]

Is this heat? Or part of the solar system?

Will you be at the May 12 TTD with this? If so, I wanna tour.

[Paul_E_D]

Solar power, and no, unfortunately.

[nhbubba]

Apparently some Sprinter tanks are pre-fitted with a pickup for an auxiliary diesel operated device... like a cabin heater.

[Paul_E_D]

No heater in this one. But that would be nice. Once I figure out power, I will get a ceramic cube heater at least for when I have shore power.

[Tricky Mike]

NICE! Great project.
I will one day before I die build a Unimog.

[Paul_E_D]

Here are a few quick snaps of the "house".

Passenger side swivel chair. SCORE!


Trippy curtains. Duude.


There's a water tank and pump for the sink/outdoor shower.