Sprinter Van build for a first timer. Well, actually my daughter purchased a used Freightliner and together we did her build, so technically this is my second build; however for her van she did all the interior work, my responsibility was plumbing and electrical.
Purpose of this channel is to share each step of the build process so that other DIY’ers have some reference for their builds. Not racing through this build, and don’t have a specific timeline, but will upload videos as I make progress.
The factory horn is quite lame if not embarrassing. What year is your Sprinter? I have a 2023 and the same camera setup. I got as far as the top 3 Torx before looking down just to check it out. I'm worried about breaking that camera housing if not the cable. It doesn't seem right that yanking the grill and the camera pops out of the housing only held by the pressure of the cable. Maybe you got lucky. That is going to be a very expensive repair. If anyone has any insight on protecting that camera or discoing it the right way. Thanks!
It’s good, but it struggles to cool the van when temps go over 100. If you are on the queen bed the down draft keeps you plenty cool but if the van AC is off and your sitting in the front seats the rear air is not robust enough. I talked one Scirocco fan to move the air and am considering installing a second fan.
You deserve so many more subs ! Everyone like, comment and subscribe to help this guy… I’m doing this to my 2023 sprinter tomorrow! But I’m in Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks for the video. You can easily loosen the hitch connector to get the yakima hitch bolt through the left side to lock into place. Definitely a bad design by Mercedes but it does make your hitch kinda secure and theft deterrent.
My Sprinter has a grab handle on the sliding door post right behind the passenger seat, but it’s too high for my fhort girl to grab when climbing in. How to remove that handle? I’d like to replace it with one that’s 24” or even 30” long, instead of the silly 10” one.
Just a thought here…. Do you have valves that direct the water to your tank when primitive camping (no water) vs in a campground with water so your not using your tank and the water pump when showering, washing dishes etc…
I believe you are referring to an RV style city water hook up valve that can be switched to dry camping? In my case was thinking to keep complexity low and design system for always dry camping even though I will use rv sites for fresh water fill and electric. Do you know of a simple approach for installing the RV switchable setup? Thx
@vandingo I have the exact same unit on my Sprinter. Can you share the name and number of the person at Kingtec?? I am having an issue with mine. I need some support. Thank you
Sure thing, here you go: Best Regards, Aaron Kingtec Group Co LTD 9453 East 9th Street, Ste B Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 TEL: 909-315-6602 kingtecusa.com/
Have the same but mine are completely pulverized and no longer work as they should and have done. Curious in what condition yours are after two years? I have already replaced them at the front because they were also completely pulverized and were replaced by sumsprings under warranty, it seems that these are already getting worse within a year.
Replaced mine with the same and sometimes it was still not enough for inattentive road users. Then I opted for two Hadleys of 1 meter under the floor which works perfectly and wakes up inattentive road users immediately
I stumbled on your video looking for 8020 means to mount my Victron in my van and this was big help for someone new to Van building and 8020. Appreciate it and hope more people see your content.
Do you think I can attach leads to the ends of the Distributor and extend to it a regular, non-victron busbar? Versus how you have it, extending to the Power-In
Sounds interesting, my concern would be stability of the attachments and question about how to safely fuse for whatever your purpose is. I am by no means qualified in this arena but it sounds like it might be possible.
Hi, at the time this product was available through Amazon, but I just checked and it’s showing unavailable. You can go straight to whitetopadventures.com and find it as well as other options. Good luck!
My front bump stops faces upward on my 2022 4x4 sprinter while yours face down. For me the ends of the stabilizer bar (upside down u-shape part) is in the way of where the sumo spring goes. What year is your Sprinter? Anyone else have this issue?
Mine is a 2wd 2021 and don’t recall if drive type drove a different Sumo Spring part number? My memory is their phone support is good so perhaps give them a ring to clarify. Good luck
@@vandingo1 thanks. I spoke to someone at Van compass. They said it’s OK for the stabilizer bar to rest on the sumo spring when you’re changing a tire or lifting the van. To install you just jack the car up about 50% and it slips right in.
It’s gas, but I have a diesel heater under the passenger seat which is the sole need for a yellow rotopax. Eventually will add a red one to the panel as well.
The wire going from the battery terminal to the DC to DC charger should be as short as possible, and running two wires through the ceiling is not the basic wiring method and it makes fire if your van ags acciden. it should be kept as short as possible to reduce current loss, and since the battery ground is connected to the chassis, there is no need to connect a separate wire, only the positive wire from the battery is connected to the DC to DC unit. The negative wire of the DC to DC can be connected to the nearby chassis ground. By doing so, the positive wire passes next to the vehicle's door and then through the van floor to connect to the battery positive with a 50 or60A fuse for Alternator protection and van electronic system . it is very super important .good luck !
Thank you for your comments, I thought I was following Victron’s wiring directions running both positive and negative, will check again. I have also read about your shorter wire run point, that is an important consideration. Thanks again!
No I purchased the Lynx Power in first, thinking it was the Lynx Distributor…which was what intended in the first place. So instead of returning the Power In I hung onto it thinking it could be used for busbar expansion.
@@vandingo1 Couple questions, I noticed you put your 3M thinsulate white side against the walls. Is that better than the way 3M instructs? I heard it can go either way. Just wondering. And what do you do with the cargo lights before you cover the inside? Remove bulbs first?
Hi nice film, but why did you not order the grab handles at Mercedes? I got them at Mercedes for 50 Euro the set here in Europe. 180 dollars at Terra wagen seems a ripoff.
Just found your channel. Nice build! I would use 10 series. That stuff is strong. If you have any doubts then put a brace in. Way better than over building. I agree with vanDiesel, that 3M VHB is amazing. I put a solar panel on with it. Your shower is huge! You can certainly have a moveable toilet but why bother. Put the toilet in a corner. Not sure why others haven't done that. You then have more shower floor space and eliminate the complexities of a rolling toilet. Can't wait to see the walls.
Yea ive had the yellow carrs sitting in my garage waitin be installed but injured finger doin winch job..great vid,i was thinkin making a template on cardbosrd to make sure i got the measurement right...also figured i would spray paint or primer onto the drill holes, someone in comments said silicone not sure adv/disadv/difference on sheet metal.... how are the steps holding up since been couple years now?
The steps are holding up really well, 8K on the van so not a lot of miles, but so far so good. Not sure about the silicone, but it might help with moisture. Good luck
