The New Steed 2016 Sprinter 4x4

[Marc]

Let the transformation begin ...View attachment 22712

 

[Lighthawk]

This should be fun!
Congrats on the Sprinter. I've always admired that form factor.
Hope you will create a build thread somewhere.

 

[Shadyapex]

Very, very jealous.

 

[ski3pin]

Wow, good for you marc!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Details on the base vehicle please.

 

[SunMan]

He's alive! Looking good in that white stuff.

 

[billharr]

Looking forward to how you build it out.

 

[Ted]

He's alive! Looking good in that white stuff.

No kidding. I was sure I missed the obit.

Good to hear from you Marc. Looking forward to seeing this project. Just curious - after four different brands of pop-up campers, what is your reasoning to go to a whole new platform?

 

[Durango1]

Following. My neighbor just brought basically the same unit home to do a conversion in it. I've always been a 3/4 ton PU/ FWC kinda guy and we REALLY like our 2015 Flatbed Hawk. BUT I could be tempted...

1) No more huge hood hanging out front on those tight switchbacks.
2) No more "pass through issues" to the driver's seat.
3) Greater usable space with swivel driver and passenger seats.
4) More "discreet" stealth camping.
5) Hard sided without a pop-up for potentially better security and cold weather use.

Concerns:
1) The jury is still out for me on whether this can be a true 4WD "semi-orr-road" vehicle. We don't do rock crawling but it is nice to have the proven strength and low range of a PU.
2) Total vehicle height.
3) Lack of after-market off-road stuff.

So once again, I could be tempted...

 

[Cayuse]

Nice rig. There is an appeal to the Sprinters for stealth camping and now that there is a 4x4 platform available I'll be more interested.

 

[Tomas Tierra]

Hey Marc!!

Nice looking new steed! Look forward to seeing the build out.... Is it rubber lined?? Lol

! Good to hear from you Amigo !

Pat that dog on the head for us please

Cheers!

TT

 

[Marc]

No kidding. I was sure I missed the obit.

Good to hear from you Marc. Looking forward to seeing this project. Just curious - after four different brands of pop-up campers, what is your reasoning to go to a whole new platform?

Hi Ted.
Ive been researching the Sprinter platform for a number of years now, both what was available here as well as abroad. When the 4x4 with hi/low transfer case was available it was time to make the change. Ive wheeled it about five times now and it is quite capable even with lack of much articulation in the rear. Van is extremely comfortable to drive with a view to die for through the large wind shield. MPG is quite good for a big box with 17-18 city and 18-21 hwy hand calculated. For its size it offers the most room available out there. When ordering as I did the option list is extensive and allows you to get exactly what you want. Mine is pretty loaded up with the exception of the tech pkg which isn't for me. I like to have more involvement when i drive as it keeps me awake on long trips. Thus far i have built a custom three panel queen sized bed that can be broken down in minutes and stowed if needed, fully insulated with Thinsulite and rattle trap sound deadening , installed webasto diesel heater under passenger seat and tapped to main fuel tank, two 160 watt Carmanha solar panels installed on custom cross bars made out of 80/20, Mounted two 6vlt batteries under the left side behind drivers seat for 300 AH's of juice. Mounted Maxxair powered roof vent in rear roof with rain shield. Installed Blue Seas 6 gang fuse block to be replaced later with a custom Blue Seas DC panel, mounted solar controller and heater thermostat on side liner so you don't have to get out of bed to hit the heater. Mounted BFG K2 all terrains in 265/70/16. Am almost done designing cabinets and galley module in Google sketch and will probably build them out of Celtec and use 3m double sided tape to bond it all together. Goal is to ship to S. America, "Chile" in three years and drive to Patagonia as a start. Time will tell. Hope to make the next rally as it looks as you guys and now gals have been having way too much fun without me

Fire Prook

marc

 

[camelracer]

Welcome back Marc. I hope to see your new toy in person on a rally soon.

Dick

 

[Marc]

Hey Marc!!

Nice looking new steed! Look forward to seeing the build out.... Is it rubber lined?? Lol

! Good to hear from you Amigo !

Pat that dog on the head for us please

Cheers!

TT

Thomas ... Remember what starts in camp stays in camp, lol and yes the rubber flooring has been put to use.

 

[Marc]

That is good to hear. I have a friend who is also happy with his XP. Did you re-sell the camper through this forum?


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N0

 

[craig333]

I've never looked at sprinters. A bit pricey aren't they?

 

[Marc]

Depends on how you option it Mr Mumbles.

 

[craig333]

Yes, yes it is. You've come a long ways since we first met on Green Creek.

 

[simimike]

Good to see you're back on the road. When I was between campers I looked real hard at the Sprinter. I had priced windows, appliances, cabinets ect. If you do the work yourself you can build a real nice interior for less than $10K. The " yourself" is what stopped me. Being retired I have found that I no longer care when a project gets finished and like as not I never would have completed the van. And paying someone like Sportsmobile to do the work would have pushed the total price to around $100K. Yikes! Well, anyway I'm glad you have the nice van and if you need an extra pair of hands with anything let me know.

Mike

 

[Marc]

Thx Mike



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