i assume this is the first review and that more will be said about the lift kit including Billstein shocks. Please keep reviewing all wheel drive components. I always learn new things each week by watching your endeavors.
Hello Chris, I've been one of your subscribers from the very beginning of your quest for adventure. Watching your life experiences have given me the dyer quench for adventure and discover this beautiful land we live in. So I bought a truck and took it to ok4wd, thank you for sharing with the community about ok4wd. I still wasn't 100% positive I was making the right choice about becoming a nomad/overlander until I watched this episode. There my Tacoma was being built right next to yours. Man if that's not fate was is. I just want to thank you chris for being you. God bless you Chris and Happy Father's Day 🙏🏾 p.s hope to see you out on the trail one day✌🏾
Consistently the most consistent and enjoyable “overland” RU-vid channel. Although the extreme “high budget” youtubers are enjoyable, the way Chris goes about his business adventuring is very relatable.
@@twowheeledadventures5615 he has a 20yr loan on the van and has working relationships with OK4WD. Not saying he doesn’t have a high budget, but his content is put together in a way that makes overlanding achievable for everyone.
I can not believe you did not learn your lesson when the Jeep got stuck last year. YOU NEED A 12,000 LB WINCH! If you fail to install a winch, there will come a day you kick yourself in the south side for not getting one. Love your videos, I have watch everyone, many more than once. Pops from Miami.
Interesting episode. What I have learned through all this, is that the Revel is 1000 percent not the vehicle for me. For my intended purpose, a truck camper from Arctic Fox or Overlandex would suit me way better.
Truck camper = more room for less money. Buy a gently used 3/4 or 1 ton gas or diesel truck add a Lance 850 with 2 100 amp hr lithium batteries and 3 100 watt solar panels. Install 1500-2000 watt sine inverter and you can go on any forest service graded dirt roads. You can primitive camp almost anywhere. Tow a Jeep behind your rig and once you find a base camp disconnect your Jeep and go explore. That's what we are doing next month in our rig in Ouray and Silverton Colorado. A rig like that would cost you less than 90,000.00
@@rosebudd1926 True. Height can be an issue sometimes. But if your going to spend 150,000.00 on a rig you don't get alot for your money with Revels sq footage.I am going to Colorado to camp in a couple weeks with my rig and Jeep. Driving Black bear pass outside of Telluride.Even a 150,000.00 Revel has it's limitations. I'm just saying for the money. I drove my Ram duely 4x4 with Lance 850 out to Alstrom point last fall. It will take me anywhere I want to go.
@@utahboy17 I appreciate all the information. This has been VERY helpful. Was planning on getting a blue ox tow bar to tow the Jeep behind. Right now I’m leaning towards a used 1 ton diesel. Plans definitely include exploring Utah.
Chris you’ve been a very busy man. Graduation, major suspension mods as well as driving clear across country. You’re entitled to a much deserved break and you couldn’t have picked a better state to take that break… Stay safe out there, and let’s hope Shannon arrives soon.
Great to hear you and Cole got to the WWII Weekend at the Reading Airport. My son and I got there a couple time in the mid-2000's. He is a huge WWII buff and loved it. We live about 20 minutes from the airport in western Berks county and got to see some of the plans flying in the area during the event. Very cool. Nice upgrades to the Revel. Safe Travels and God Bless!
I have those tires and am extremely impressed! I honestly think they are better than the BFGs in all ways and wear better as well. Whoever set you in that direction was right!
I think it adds a meaner look to the Revel and helps with the ride and handling ! Another awesome video and excellent wording and you have a good outlook on things . Be safe in your travels and thanks Chris 👍🏻🇺🇸
I luv BFF. I got the generals for my truck cause they were 300cheaper and rated for 60,000 mi. I’ve had them about a year now and will likely keep getting. Happy with tires
wow, she is a tall one. Perhaps a fabricator could make a lightweight exoskeleton for the roof, to deflect branches. It would suck to be constantly looking skyward and waiting for the inevitable “11 foot bridge” event. ✌️🌲
Looks like a proper adventure vehicle now. General Grabbers are good tires also, I bought my Ranger from my son and he had Grabbers on it. He sold the tires to a friend and I put on BFGs All Terrains which I always have liked. His Grabbers wore very well.
X Overland runs Generals and they have been all over North and South America with Land Cruiser, Tundra, 4Runner and a Tacoma. All outfitted for expedition so the LC and Tundra were close to your Sprinter’s weight.
Chris, I enjoy watching you episodes, and look forward to them each week. You have come a long way since BMJA days. It's good to see you doing well and enjoying life. just a heads up Chad Stellwagen and I will be in Montana, Wyoming the last week of August into the first week of September if you're in the area we should hook up.
Pretty hot on the way to the Rockies this week. Having the Revel to sleep in would be a lot cooler than the Jeep! I’m truck bed camping from Wisconsin west, and the mornings have been waking up with heat rolling off my topper walls and Reflectix’d windows! I finally gave up in Wyoming and holed up in a hotel till it cools!
I have those Grabbers on my 4Runner. Been really happy with them. Very capable tire. Did Hells Revenge & Fins and Things and they gripped very well. I’ve had them on about 2 years and still no punctures. I’ll replace them with the same tire.
Congrats on the new suspension Chris! Also appreciate your comments regarding the tire size. I went with a VC 6.3 kit but kept the 245s for now and plan to replace the tires when the supply situation gets sorted out. One suggestion since you are taking it into some fun in the dirt is to consider some under protection, especially a rear differential guard.
Great eval. Will be watching to see if this is worth doing on my 170 4x4. The cross wind IS scary, especially the first time. They should require simulator time for that! Encouraging to hear everyday stuff like driveway angles and minor washboard running is probably improved Need to compare options at this point-especially since I’m still under warranty and don’t want to give MB any reason to deny a claim.
dude imagine if someone just slapped some custom 1 ton axles with some 37''s on that baby along with some long travel suspension,that would be badass,some rich dude HAS to do that one day :D
So many things in life are about compromise. Orangey is a highly capable off road vehicle set up for one to live out of comfortably while the Benz van is mild off road and a great setup for two. We are planning a cross county RV trip with a mixture of off roading. My F150 crew cab is great for pulling the RV and will do satisfactorily off road. I'd love to take the Jeep, but it can't pull the camper. The Benz van looks much more aggressive, so that's a plus.
You're still probably under rating yourself suspension that you need for the town house. 1 ton with modified front end suspension. Your chalet would be able wander greatly among the lands.
There are a lot of good tires today. I used to run BFGs but switched over to Toyo Open County MT (Maximum traction) tires and have been very very happy. I’m on my second set. It’s a very aggressive tread pattern, a bit noisy, but my rig weighs in at 13,050# and I need the traction off road. Those General’s look good.
The main drawback is your center of gravity. Of course you know that because you haven't put a dent on the side. Mercedes should have a tilt/angle warning system! Maybe drop down training wheels or something like that??
Fabulous! Very interesting conversion and I hope it continues to perform well for you! BTW, that camera is fantastic! Looking forward to the reunion! Adventure On!! Best!
HI CHRIS 👋 HOPEFULLY IT DOES WHAT YOU WANT . IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT SETS UP A LITTLE MORE THAN BEFORE . HOPE THE BIGGER WIDER TIRES MAKE IT FEEL MORE STURDY TOO .I NOTICED IT CAN'T GO THROUGH PLACES ORANGIE CAN ! BUT IT'S WASN'T SUPPOSE TO . GLAD YOU HAD A FANTASTIC TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY BACK HOME . BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! HOPE YOUR TRIP BACK WILL BE A SAFE ONE . GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS ON 🙏 YOUR JOURNEYS / TRAVELS ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨
I have a Thor Tranquility (Poor Person's Revel), I was thinking about a similar package (the Compass Van 4.3 kit without a tire change). Comments and Questions: Now I can see why no local off road custom suspension company wants to touch the install. Requiring a long haul trip to accomplish. Why don't you provide a total all in cost with a breakdown? Why bother with the video if you can't help people decide if the Mod is worth the expense? My assumed conclusion: $6,500 all in Mod (new tire set included) = No, too much money given the Sprinter OEM 4x4 suspension package is engineered for close to viewers use. Other than not providing the cost the video was informative.
Screw-in studs that you rely on lock-tite, in an environment where vibration and heat cycling (you use heat to disrupt lock-tite) seems like a super bad idea... most lug studs have a flange to retain them from the back side and are pressed in for a reason.
Old question but, does your jeep aux fuel tank have an automatic shut off when the main one gets full? Or do you just have to keep watching it when filling up from the aux to the main tank?
I agree with you on the bfg all terrains Chris I've been running them for the last 12 to 14 years now and I've been very happy with them there was one year i went with another tire and that was because I needed to conserve money and that was the worst decision i've ever made and not long after i did I traded my truck in for a jeep wrangler and it needed new tires so I bought bfg all terrains ko2s and I will never buy another tire but that one but the general grabber is similar to the bfgs tread design.
Why did you decide on the AO suspension? I've been trying to choose between one of the Van Compass suspensions for our Revel. (I've been leaning towards the VC 6.3 mostly because there is an installer here in town)
@@Weatherby86 Van Compass 6.3. It’s being installed right now. Spoke to several at the Rally in Durango. The AO is a really good system but ultimately decided the VC 6.3 fit my needs better.
