Rovertrader
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Thanks Doc, seems to be a good solution.
'06 Sprinter!! Nice find- and it hits the easy button square on!!
- Thread starter Rovertrader
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Rovertrader
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Only rated at 3550# towing sadly! but may try a Disco or a Defender with the rear DS disconnected on a dolly...
Rovertrader
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mhiscox
Expedition Leader
Congratulations on your new grille. The story is that since the Dodge grilles came off really easy for the first few years and hundreds of us got a Mercedes grille, Daimler Chrysler got grumpy and really up'd the tenacity of the adhesive to make it a royal pain to get the old grille and adhesive off. I think they mostly did it out of spite. It's not clear that the stronger adhesive actually kept anyone from making the change, but it made sure they'd totally hate the hassle.
You are so at the wrong side of the country for an on-site install, but as mentioned, Oregon's Upscale Automotive has a highly-regarded setup for the rear end. The Views/Navions are so close to GVWR as they come from the factory that Upscale has done a good business in making the suspension a good deal more tolerable.
Rovertrader
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Hey Mike, yes the adhesive is tough as nails as they say, but time for some chemicals ;-)
As far as suspension, it will be tough with this behemoth. It does have the air bags which help some, and I am going to 235/85-16 Duratracs, so I will wait to see how it feels then. They are a bit aggressive, but I have a set of 5, thus needing only one- I have a several spares in that size. The good news is they will come off the 'burb, making a rationalization to proceed with 255/80-17 Coopers for it.
Would really like the 4wd, but quite pricey and doubtful it would get utilized. However, a locked rear is likely, and an Aluminess front light bar with hitch mount- they assured me it is capable of a tray mounted winch...
All in good time.
Almost forgot- considering an LED light bar under the overhang pendulum style- thoughts??
As far as suspension, it will be tough with this behemoth. It does have the air bags which help some, and I am going to 235/85-16 Duratracs, so I will wait to see how it feels then. They are a bit aggressive, but I have a set of 5, thus needing only one- I have a several spares in that size. The good news is they will come off the 'burb, making a rationalization to proceed with 255/80-17 Coopers for it.
Would really like the 4wd, but quite pricey and doubtful it would get utilized. However, a locked rear is likely, and an Aluminess front light bar with hitch mount- they assured me it is capable of a tray mounted winch...
All in good time.
Almost forgot- considering an LED light bar under the overhang pendulum style- thoughts??
java
Expedition Leader
Im not a fan of lightbars on the roof. But with the quick drop of the nose on the sprinter it might just work great. Im very sensitive to the glare off the hood.
I put a 40" on the front of mine, makes night driving in the middle of nowhere much better!
And I am thoroughly jealous of your gas mileage!!
I put a 40" on the front of mine, makes night driving in the middle of nowhere much better!
And I am thoroughly jealous of your gas mileage!!
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
Sorry for the delay getting back to you; been trying to optimize the XV-JP for a trip to Utah tomorrow.
Well, I am a solid Duratrac fanboy, as they've done extremely well on the Jeep and have--and I think this is the best thing about them given the tread--been really good on pavement, dry, wet or snowy. It's good to have tires that will get you off the road, but the bulk of the miles are still on the pavement and my Duratracs (YMMV) have been a revelation compared to the M/Ts originally on it. Mine are pretty quiet, too; the downsides are high cost and not the best longevity, it doesn't seem.
Opinions differ and some people will tell you it's ignorant to have them up high, and others say, fer gawd's sake, don't put them down low. I had a Fuso builder friend who would argue till the cows came home that the lights absolutely MUST go at the base of the windshield, and having them anywhere else proved you a simpleton. So wherever you put them, someone will think you're wrong.
Two observations, though. The four high mounted HIDs on the XV-JP nose cone, analogous to your cabover, work well and do not glare back. More important, just what percentage of the time do you have those lights on? For me, it's a small fraction of one percent, and usually when I'm going about 5 mph. With that little use, I'd say put them where they're easy to wire, aren't vulnerable to damage, and look right. But if you're going to use them for a lot of your miles, then you'll have to decide whose opinion you like best.
Well, I am a solid Duratrac fanboy, as they've done extremely well on the Jeep and have--and I think this is the best thing about them given the tread--been really good on pavement, dry, wet or snowy. It's good to have tires that will get you off the road, but the bulk of the miles are still on the pavement and my Duratracs (YMMV) have been a revelation compared to the M/Ts originally on it. Mine are pretty quiet, too; the downsides are high cost and not the best longevity, it doesn't seem.
Opinions differ and some people will tell you it's ignorant to have them up high, and others say, fer gawd's sake, don't put them down low. I had a Fuso builder friend who would argue till the cows came home that the lights absolutely MUST go at the base of the windshield, and having them anywhere else proved you a simpleton. So wherever you put them, someone will think you're wrong.
Two observations, though. The four high mounted HIDs on the XV-JP nose cone, analogous to your cabover, work well and do not glare back. More important, just what percentage of the time do you have those lights on? For me, it's a small fraction of one percent, and usually when I'm going about 5 mph. With that little use, I'd say put them where they're easy to wire, aren't vulnerable to damage, and look right. But if you're going to use them for a lot of your miles, then you'll have to decide whose opinion you like best.
Rovertrader
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Java, wish I had those integrated lights you have up high- very sweet.
I do agree with Mike, the lights up high are seldom used. Sometimes when camping remotely, but mostly at slow speeds on lonesome gravel roads- like Alcan or through Labrador. For normal use, a good set of driving and fogs on the forthcoming light bar will be fine.
On a different note, took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge and took the Sprinter. Mid 20's mpg, and parked in a normal car space on the perimeter of the lot allowing the rear to hang out. The versatility is fantastic, or is it vantastic?!
Lastly, bought four spare dually wheels with center caps. Painting the wheels white to match the van, center caps grey to match the graphics, and lose the chrome covers! Personal pet pieve I suppose, but might as well have some fun. Found the 4 wheels, 4 MB center caps, and 24 spare lug nuts for $300 shipped- yea!!
I do agree with Mike, the lights up high are seldom used. Sometimes when camping remotely, but mostly at slow speeds on lonesome gravel roads- like Alcan or through Labrador. For normal use, a good set of driving and fogs on the forthcoming light bar will be fine.
On a different note, took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge and took the Sprinter. Mid 20's mpg, and parked in a normal car space on the perimeter of the lot allowing the rear to hang out. The versatility is fantastic, or is it vantastic?!
Lastly, bought four spare dually wheels with center caps. Painting the wheels white to match the van, center caps grey to match the graphics, and lose the chrome covers! Personal pet pieve I suppose, but might as well have some fun. Found the 4 wheels, 4 MB center caps, and 24 spare lug nuts for $300 shipped- yea!!
Rovertrader
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I have been reading and reading on the T1N, and wonder if anyone has a concise top 5? things to watch/swap/correct/fret over?
Thanks for all the help- I have wanted one of the Sprinters for many years, and I am loving it!!
Thanks for all the help- I have wanted one of the Sprinters for many years, and I am loving it!!
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
Not a real list, but . . .
-- Most people would agree that it's critical to keep up on the maintenance and, in a perfect world, have it done by someone who knows what the heck they are doing. The small number of dealers, combined with the brand changes, have made the experienced techs rarer than they should be.
-- Have a ScanGauge and check the Sprinter Source forum to see how to downshift based on the LOD shown on the gauge. It's not completely intuative, but the gist is that you optimize mpgs shifting earlier than the truck will left to its own devices.
-- Don't idle the truck for long periods of time.
-- You're on your own to decide if a lubricity additive is worth using. Again, check the Sprinter Source forum for arguments. There's a school of though that says that the current ULSD doesn't have enough lubricity for pre-ULSD engines; others say that even if it was true once, the problem's been fixed. Beats me; I use Opti-Lube Summer+ and have no idea if it does any good. Makes me feel better, though.
-- Exchange the totally lame dash stereo speakers for some better ones that just drop right in. It's not going to make the audio sound good, exactly, but it will make it listenable, which it isn't for most people with the stock speakers.
-- Buy a folding plastic stool you can use as a footrest inside, but mostly to help wash the upper quarter of the windshield without breaking your neck.
-- Hope for tailwinds. Tailwinds are your friends.
All in all, the fact that you've already discovered the joy of 20+ mpg and parking wherever you want means that you're well into the essence of T1N ownership. Safe travels.
java
Expedition Leader
Unfortunately they are old strobes from my vans previous life as an emergency vehicle. Maybe one day they will be converted to lights...
Rovertrader
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Thanks Mike and Java!!
And now on to the stuff to make the easy button obsolete ;-(
After much reading and searching, I had to go with the 235's- and I had a new set of (5) Duratracs from a recent trade. Poof, bought one more, purchased some wheels- 4 to be exact. Had them painted to match the white cab of the rig, and some MB center caps painted in dark gray to match the plastic cladding. All sounded so good- until the sound of rubbing. Not just a little rubbing, but barely fit the front wheel well rubbing. So, not to be defeatted quite so easily- the tire shop wanted me to put the 225's back on before leaving- I trimmed enough to turn with minimal rubbing, and returned home.
Luckily, the backup plan was to utilize the Timbren SES. I double checked with them prior to ordering, and while not toted as a leveling kit, it does promise to resume factory ride height. I already have air bags in the rear, and lots of room. However, the hub sticks out too much, and the center caps won't fit, but that is another issue for later. Back to clearance... I am not going to cut any more until the Timbren units are placed- and I am actually going to fit both front and rear in conjunction with the existing rear air bags. I remain optimistic as I have fitted much larger tires in smaller spaces, but don't want to cut too much. Fingers crossed until they arrive...
And now on to the stuff to make the easy button obsolete ;-(
After much reading and searching, I had to go with the 235's- and I had a new set of (5) Duratracs from a recent trade. Poof, bought one more, purchased some wheels- 4 to be exact. Had them painted to match the white cab of the rig, and some MB center caps painted in dark gray to match the plastic cladding. All sounded so good- until the sound of rubbing. Not just a little rubbing, but barely fit the front wheel well rubbing. So, not to be defeatted quite so easily- the tire shop wanted me to put the 225's back on before leaving- I trimmed enough to turn with minimal rubbing, and returned home.
Luckily, the backup plan was to utilize the Timbren SES. I double checked with them prior to ordering, and while not toted as a leveling kit, it does promise to resume factory ride height. I already have air bags in the rear, and lots of room. However, the hub sticks out too much, and the center caps won't fit, but that is another issue for later. Back to clearance... I am not going to cut any more until the Timbren units are placed- and I am actually going to fit both front and rear in conjunction with the existing rear air bags. I remain optimistic as I have fitted much larger tires in smaller spaces, but don't want to cut too much. Fingers crossed until they arrive...
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
My bad, in that I should have said something about the tire size requiring significant trimming. I've certainly known for ten years that the 215/85R16s are the biggest that will fit without any trimming on a T1N.
On the other hand, when you get things trimmed, the 235s will look better and should give you slightly better handling and traction. Figure it's a worthwhile investment of time and energy. (No charge for the free cognitive dissonance reduction.)
On the other hand, when you get things trimmed, the 235s will look better and should give you slightly better handling and traction. Figure it's a worthwhile investment of time and energy. (No charge for the free cognitive dissonance reduction.)
Rovertrader
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Wow Mike- that sounds even more therapeutic than Rover jargon ;-)