2018 Sprinter 4x4 144" Take 2

[freshlikesushi]

Firstly, good work.
Second, a word of warning on the AC unit. I worked on some vehicles in Africa driven on road roads that were fitted with similar Dometic units (FreshJet 1100, listed for motorhomes in the UK).
The rubber isolating mounts for the compressor pump allowed a little too much movement and the pump bashed the copper pipes of the adjacent condenser flat in some cases and fatigued and snapped the joining pipe to the evaporator in others. We had to replace the mounts with more solid versions (noise not an issue in our case) and pack the gap between the compressor and condenser with polystyrene as a backup. On reflection we were using the units well beyond their designed application, but eventually we had to come up with a completely different solution.
I’ve no idea if the unit you are using is the same internal design, but it may be worth investigating the range of movement of the compressor. It seemed quite firm to move by hand, but Nigerian roads dished out their own unique punishment.
I’ll see if I can dig out some internal photos if you like?

id be interested for sure. Always down for beefing stuff up

 

[Farfrumwork]

Looks good! What do you use for shock boots? I'll be doing the VC fox shocks myself very soon and want some protection of the shafts.

 

[freshlikesushi]

Looks good! What do you use for shock boots? I'll be doing the VC fox shocks myself very soon and want some protection of the shafts.

he sent them with it!

 

[crogthomas]

This is the inside of the FreshJet 1100, minus the polystyrene hat that goes over the right hand side to seal and duct air:
DSCF0470 by crogthomas, on Flickr

The compressor swung from side to side denting the copper loops on the side of the condenser reducing its effectiveness to nearly nothing:
DSCF0468 by crogthomas, on Flickr

On one of the units the insulated copper pipe at the bottom of the first picture eventually fractured at its join to the evaporator. We think it was again the excessive movement of the compressor that caused it:
DSCF0465 by crogthomas, on Flickr

We tried a number of 'in the field' repairs, but nothing I would call permanent.
Your unit may be different/improved. If not, my best suggestion would be to maintain the rubber mounts for noise isolation when parked but come up with some way of restricting the movement, something like rubber bump stops either side of the compressor perhaps. Or just try it and see how it copes.

 

[freshlikesushi]

In the last van I built, not having a way to get cargo out from under the cavernous under bed storage area was super annoying. On this one, I decided I wanted to rectify that very early on in the build.
I designed the whole rear end so the side panels for wheel well covers and stuff were as tight as possible (roughly extend 2" from the wheel well total, due to battery width)

The slide I personally chose was the 00-12 Dodge Dakota Short bed Part Number 1-6243-S

This fit my use case perfectly. They do have other sizes, and another may fit yours better!

The whole process was super quick (IMO) and took about an hour total with some putzing around.
The whole thing was well packaged, heavy, but well packaged. Made it through UPS with no problems (and that is a feat)
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The assembly is easy with 10 total bolts and about 10 minutes doing it
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

From there had a friend help me set it in the van. I chose to set it as far back as possible just barely not touching the rear door and center it from there
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

To bolt it in, I chose not to use the plus nut stuff that they included. Instead I thru bolted the slide down into the van. I anticipated the slide, so i put a large number of battons on the floor to support the clamping load this creates with the space in the floor, and made sure my wires were ran nowhere near the slide fastening area.
I used a 3/8 stainless bolt, fender washers on both side and a nylon lock nut with anti seize on it to prevent galling.
The location of the holes ended up being perfect, right next to the support structure, so lots of meat
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

And final installation
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Overall, well worth it. I do have some slight concerns about vibration based noises, but until I do more offroading, i wont be able to tell, or sort it out. Around town with speedbumps and road irregularities it isn't an annoyance (and I'm the guy that finds the sunglass holder vibrating annoying)

Will update as time goes on.

I purchased through YotaMafia (info@yotamafia.com) Cause I know the guy from toyota days and he gives a few bucks off for peoples.

 

[freshlikesushi]

This is the inside of the FreshJet 1100, minus the polystyrene hat that goes over the right hand side to seal and duct air:
DSCF0470 by crogthomas, on Flickr

The compressor swung from side to side denting the copper loops on the side of the condenser reducing its effectiveness to nearly nothing:
DSCF0468 by crogthomas, on Flickr

On one of the units the insulated copper pipe at the bottom of the first picture eventually fractured at its join to the evaporator. We think it was again the excessive movement of the compressor that caused it:
DSCF0465 by crogthomas, on Flickr

We tried a number of 'in the field' repairs, but nothing I would call permanent.
Your unit may be different/improved. If not, my best suggestion would be to maintain the rubber mounts for noise isolation when parked but come up with some way of restricting the movement, something like rubber bump stops either side of the compressor perhaps. Or just try it and see how it copes.

Hmm. I'll check it out for sure when i pop the cover off to go get it painted. Thanks for the info!

 

[bknudtsen]

Back when I had my van, I put an older Bedslide in it. (Metal rollers on metal tracks) Every time I hit a sharp bump, the rollers would hop on the tracks. There was just too much play and only two locking pins at the back. I can’t imagine that it would be too difficult to add some bumpers or additional locking pins if you run into the same issue. Looks good and certainly will add function.

 

[freshlikesushi]

Back when I had my van, I put an older Bedslide in it. (Metal rollers on metal tracks) Every time I hit a sharp bump, the rollers would hop on the tracks. There was just too much play and only two locking pins at the back. I can’t imagine that it would be too difficult to add some bumpers or additional locking pins if you run into the same issue. Looks good and certainly will add function.

Around town so far it hasn't made a peep

 

[freshlikesushi]

A few big things this weekend.

Flarespace flares are installed.
Not alot of words for it, pretty simple install. if you have questions please ask!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I will say this. I changed from a window on the passenger to the driver side. The reason for this was i found when i was traveling and staying in a city on the streets, the window on the sidewalk side sucked. People were easily able to see in the window and it was kind of awkward at times. By moving it to the traffic side, it alleviates that. So cool story right?

On to installing the Tern Overland Electrical Socket. It's a cool unit that i found on the site and wanted to use rather than the janky noco thing i was going to do.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Its a 3 5/8 hole that has to be used for a pretty tight fit
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Make sure you add some paint to keep corrosion at bay
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
it looks super nice and clean color matched
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

I also did a ton of wiring. Ran all the ceiling lights, switch wires for the door opening like the last van, ac 12 fan wires, 110 wires in and out.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Also remembered this time to run the victron Battery monitor cable ahead of time lol.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

However. I did forget to run the 8ga wire for the blue sea fuse box -_-
go figure.

Lastly, did the first panel in the final decided color/style
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

All the panels you see in the van will be covered like this.

 

[Colonal Angus]

Love these builds. Curious where you’re purchasing these Sprinters from. Merc of Jax never has 4x4s in stock. Are you ordering new to your spec?

 

[freshlikesushi]

Love these builds. Curious where you’re purchasing these Sprinters from. Merc of Jax never has 4x4s in stock. Are you ordering new to your spec?

This one came from alabama, the other Tennessee .
Gotta buy what is available. Otherwise wait forever.

 

[Wyuna]

I like that power inlet, looks great colour coded.

Hows the drive train on the new Sprinter, quieter than the last one?

 

[freshlikesushi]

just as garbage lol

 

[freshlikesushi]

To bring it up current.

Wanted to start the fridge/cabinet base for the door opening, so built out the base!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Boom. fits perfect

Then finished trimming out the interior of the flares, and also made the rest of the walls.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I used more screws than needed, but i like the look, so there is that.

Today after work ill be framing out the driver side cabinet. Ill be doing the kitchen on that side in front of the window this time, with storage and all that stuff on the passenger door side as well.

 

[AUM]

A few big things this weekend.

Flarespace flares are installed.
Not alot of words for it, pretty simple install. if you have questions please ask!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
All the panels you see in the van will be covered like this.

Nice work! What tool do you use to cut out the spaces for the flares and windows?