Back in a van-FINALLY or Overland-ish style build: take 2

[coguzzi]

I now have 25 nights and 8000km/5000miles on the van, hasnt been sitting still any more (did manage a trip in the Jeep to Maine in there as well). After the WI trip we took the dogs up to one of their favorite places to go swimming, Lac St Jean. Got to test the VC 4.3 on some washboard roads this time, still a must do IMHO


4 days after that we headed east thru New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to do the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton. Highlight was Meat cove where we bagged a stellar spot with stellar views and a very nice beach (water was just warm enough to swim) Saw whales, seals, eagles etc.



8000km and Quebec still has the worst roads/infrastructure/signage/drivers or just general livin . BUT, happy to report everything about the build has been rock solid with zero problems. The ONLY thing maybe i would change is add another zone of lights for more ambiance (already have 4 zones). I put in plenty of overhead lights on a dimmer because i hate it when its to dark when you need light, BUT, the dimmer just doesnt dim it down enough sometimes. past that, wouldnt change a thing

 

[coguzzi]

So i got really behind on my time lapse video stuff because i just wanted to finish the thing! I've been slowly plugging away at editing it down, figure it is about 900 hours worth the time lapse (tons of photos to go through). got it down to about as short as i can to keep it still relevant, so 900 hours down to 5:54 minutes-ha.

 

[Farfrumwork]

Good job wearing your shop tee's through most of that 900hrs!

 

[coguzzi]

Good job wearing your shop tee's through most of that 900hrs!

and the other times wearing a raggety old flannel that should have gone to the trash long ago (days i spaced on the shop shirt). flannel is now been in the trash for a while

 

[coguzzi]

After spending many nights in the van and generally having a good summer for a change, its time to finish the items that ended up on the back burner so we could enjoy the rig. #1, finishing the back doors. Long story short, technically this is not the van we had ordered, our ordered one had rear door windows. So I wasnt 100% that maybe i would add windows, but turns out i see no reason to do so. So, i have a few ideas i wanna try back here and best to get them insulated for winter. Stay tuned

 

[coguzzi]

Something i have been planning since day 1 on this build is tying my 2 passions together. I have a love for vans/overland vehicles but also a love for motorcycles (mostly dirtbikes/dual sports but also vintage or fast sport bikes). I've done several trips in the past where the van/vehicle is a base camp and exploration done on moto, even so much as trailering my URAL side car bike. I specifically bought this little CRF300 Rally before i even had the van to use as a tag along bike, and sold my Triumph Tiger XC because i just wasnt using it to potential. Finding local good riding in dirt--well, lets just say ive ridden the ONLY trail to many times to even count, need to get further away and basecamp is always nice. Tough coming from Colorado where dirt is right outside your door to Quebec where nothing is accessible.

I test fit with the existing rack i had, which i never liked. Anyway, the van seemed happy enough only squatting 1/2", so i ordered up the Mototote M3 with the optional longer main bar to clear back door/ladder more. I have it assembled so it is 4" longer but still have more room to go if need be, but more you go out the less weight you can carry. Bike is 330lb wet, wouldnt want to go much heavier on a hitch rack (but KTM is rumored to be releasing a "holy grail" bike this November which might be just slightly more). my vintage Moto Guzzi's will probably never go back there-ha. I really like the Mototote racks, very sturdy and structural but weigh less than most. the M3 is 60lbs where next best rack is a Versahaul which comes in at 90+.

Anyway, next spring I'll be ready to do parts of the NEBDR or everytime i cross the border in Maine i see plenty to ride. Sad im just getting to it now, just in time to store it for the winter-ha. I guess nothing is stopping me from a SW desert trip this winter is there-hmmmm!

PS, this moto is also somewhat of a compromise for both the wife 1.0 and I. She rides to, when we met we both rode MX and she is just as passionate about motos as i am (well--my sickness might be worse). There was a time we trailered 2 dirtbikes or 2 dual sport bikes, but reality is i hate trailering. exception was the sidecar bike on a trailer so dogs could ride with us to. Last several years in CO we took a 81 CT110 on a hitch rack and had so many laughs on that thing 2up. So the CRF is meant to be a fun bike for either one of us to ride solo or 2up. BUT, it is slightly tall for the vertically challenged wife 1.0 though---soo maybe the plan will have to be revised some. But having owned over 50 bikes in my years i do really like this lil 300, doesnt do really anything exceptionally well but it does do pretty much everything i ask of it without much complaint (stock suspension does complain some and way to soft)

 

[coguzzi]

So back door finish i started talking about a while ago. I have several ideas for back here, but the base of everything starts with a nice L-track system to attach things i have planned. and easily switched out from trip to trip depending on what activity that trip includes. I personally prefer L-track to a Molle panel since things can use the multitude of L-track fittings vs just strapping down to a Molle. Hell, i can even attach a Molle panel to the L-track if i want (and might).

So the 4 panels i needed to make, wrapped in Vinyl (remember door panels get wet if its raining so prefer vinyl here), affix and install



Since we are coming into winter my priority has switched for the #1 item I wanted to develop for the L-track system. Snowboarder here and wife is a 2 planker skier (never hears the end of it). We spent a lot of time chasing powder when we lived in Colorado. Quebec skiing--MEH! So hopefully this winter i get to spend some time chasing powder either here in the NE US or toying with idea of an outwest trip. That said, "If your cold, your gear is cold--bring it inside" or "friends dont let friends carry ski's outside in the salt". I just cant bring myself to keep my gear outside and the rusty edges that come with it. I thought about roof box or outside ski locker on an exterior rear door panel system Ive thought of making (and still might make). BUT, with the elevator bed and the shape of the sprinter i have several inches available between the bed/dinette and the back door--nature of the curved wall beast. Enter interior ski/snowboard storage.



Prototype stage right now, but had the insight to make it work with both of my boards (I like both for different reasons/snow type-but one does get ridden more than the other). Maybe make it out of aluminum later after testing. Is also going to include a catch pan under to catch the inevitable snow melt. or let them melt in the shower while enjoying the after riding adult beverage-ha.

Rest of the planned rear door items will come later, so patience

 

[RVflyfish]

Slick. As I read I was thinking, “He needs something to catch the melting snow.“ Of course you thought of that.

 

[coguzzi]

Havent had anytime to do anything to the van this winter, did a major home reno project that took all my time. snow conditions sucked this year, when it did snow it rained on it, so didnt even use the van for skiing. About all i did with it was haul over size supplies for the next green house project coming soon, 13ft poly carbonate panels fit with no complaining-ha

Anyway, the home reno project got completed enough i could knock a few small projects on the van out. #1 was making a small storage box on the back of the seat base, usually dead space. BUT, i have to admit the #1 driver for this was....the main reason I installed an air conditioner in the van was to keep the furry friends happy in in the back in the inevitable case they had to be left in the van. The little yorkie discovered if she pushed hard enough on the cab divider curtain she could release the velcro along the pillar and squeeze through. come back to her sitting in the passenger seat in full sun panting--twice (wasnt long, like 5 minutes). 2 times was enough, this should stop her with some extra storage for dog toys to boot. No drill magnetic attachment



Next was awning. I've always hated staking legs to the ground and always had body feet mounts, usually off some kind of bracket depending on which rig. i prefer not to drill/screw the mount, especially in the rust belt. I had some DIYvan glue on/VHB Thule mounts but just didnt like the look so never installed. Finally decided to try some high strength suction cups. had em mounted and open for 2 days and held just fine. need to try in the wind next-ha. I'll stake if i have to, like really windy, but awnings should not be open in any wind anyway. * I never cared for "legless awning", to much torque.



lastly was mount a roof basket for items like paddle boards, inflatable kayak, wet $#%& or just things i dont want in the van with us. And of course the Maxtrax that were on my last rig and sitting on the shelf for a long time since


Next is to find some sewing machine time to finish my inside rear door plans. But since its warming up (finally) spending some time waking up the motos from winter sleep and prepping one to potentially sell this year--anyone need a 1949 Moto Guzzi?

 

[Spencer for Hire]

Havent had anytime to do anything to the van this winter, did a major home reno project that took all my time. snow conditions sucked this year, when it did snow it rained on it, so didnt even use the van for skiing. About all i did with it was haul over size supplies for the next green house project coming soon, 13ft poly carbonate panels fit with no complaining-ha

Anyway, the home reno project got completed enough i could knock a few small projects on the van out. #1 was making a small storage box on the back of the seat base, usually dead space. BUT, i have to admit the #1 driver for this was....the main reason I installed an air conditioner in the van was to keep the furry friends happy in in the back in the inevitable case they had to be left in the van. The little yorkie discovered if she pushed hard enough on the cab divider curtain she could release the velcro along the pillar and squeeze through. come back to her sitting in the passenger seat in full sun panting--twice (wasnt long, like 5 minutes). 2 times was enough, this should stop her with some extra storage for dog toys to boot. No drill magnetic attachment
View attachment 878767View attachment 878768
View attachment 878769

Next was awning. I've always hated staking legs to the ground and always had body feet mounts, usually off some kind of bracket depending on which rig. i prefer not to drill/screw the mount, especially in the rust belt. I had some DIYvan glue on/VHB Thule mounts but just didnt like the look so never installed. Finally decided to try some high strength suction cups. had em mounted and open for 2 days and held just fine. need to try in the wind next-ha. I'll stake if i have to, like really windy, but awnings should not be open in any wind anyway. * I never cared for "legless awning", to much torque.
View attachment 878770
View attachment 878771

lastly was mount a roof basket for items like paddle boards, inflatable kayak, wet $#%& or just things i dont want in the van with us. And of course the Maxtrax that were on my last rig and sitting on the shelf for a long time since
View attachment 878772

Next is to find some sewing machine time to finish my inside rear door plans. But since its warming up (finally) spending some time waking up the motos from winter sleep and prepping one to potentially sell this year--anyone need a 1949 Moto Guzzi?

Very nice. So if you had to do it over again, would you stay with a Sprinter or go with a Transit if both were immediately available for your purchase.

 

[coguzzi]

Very nice. So if you had to do it over again, would you stay with a Sprinter or go with a Transit if both were immediately available for your purchase.

That is a good question, and i really wanted to focus on building Transits for people after the AWD came out. Ironically i have transit coming this week ill be spending some time on so next week might have a better idea. Ford really had the opportunity to take away some of the limelight from Mercedes and totally screwed it up. both in the actual van and the adaptation of the after market available items. The ordering fiasco's, never delivering a van, Prices kept increasing making it closer to Mercedes price, shoddy quality and the whole "trail" fiasco. "vanlife" consumers moved on and so did the aftermarket parts suppliers continuing with mercedes.

So i am a gas person over diesel, so ford wins for me there and the ecoboost is a hoot to drive. I consider the Sprinter to look 100x better, transit kind of like a sick guppy. Exit/departure/break over angles on the sprinter is WAAAY better but realistically ground clearance of critical components is roughly the same. I do think Ford should offer a "lifted" version, but that attempt with the trail was a joke. i get they wanted to keep deck height low fo rthe #1 customer-fleet vehicles, but the vanlife customers would eat it up.

4x4 sprinter to transit AWD, transit system is much better. I have no personal experience with the newer sprinter AWD, on paper it would win out and has a 50/50 split (transit modes are better). BUT, since it is paired with a 2.0L 4cyl twin turbo----i feel that motor is really being pushed. No personal experience but my dealer/friend says they have proven to NOT be blowing up prematurely.

Seats in the sprinter are better--both are cargo van seats and leave some to be desired, but sprinters are better.

Now, building it out. Sprinter electrical integration wins hands down, the CCP in the transit is pretty hooky. Aftermarket suppliers, sprinter. Transit wins in the usable interior space being 3" taller and the walls are vertical/square (up until like 50" if i remember" then taper in slightly. Sprinter is only vertical/square up to 28" then "curve" in to being very narrow at the ceiling. back door area transit totally vertical, sprinter not so much. 148 long transit vs 144 sprinter roughly same usable length. 148 extended transit vs 170 sprinter, sprinter has more usable length. I did design my current sprinter in a 148 extended transit, exact same floor plan. I had both vans on order and was gonna build which ever showed up first. I should review/post those designs to see which looks more "usable"

BUT, if i had to build a new van today, it would be a 170 AWD sprinter i think (but 3500). the looks and the aftermarket win out. AND, it is a demo van to show people what i can help them do, more interest in sprinter

 

[coguzzi]

I guess i lied, i never did design my van in a transit 148 extended, only an updated long version i built previously (and also had on order) and was much different being a shorty. BUT, i did have the 148 extended transit here last week and did some comparison.



Transit 148 EXTENDED vs Sprinter 170. notice wheelbase and where that places wheel wells inside and ease to work around, sprinter wins here since they naturally fall under the bed area and transit in living area. plus the huge transit rear overhang/departure angle SUCKS. Also notice squareness of the body, both on the sides and up the back door, Transit wins.



but that also means the sprinter longer wheel base break over angle is not as good. front overhang is huge on transit where fairly short on sprinter. the perceived ground clearance difference is HUGE



The transit has a really short nose in comparison, hood length is very short and more motor is inside the van pushing seats back. Notice height differences in driver seat locations, high in sprinter vs low in Transit. Transit you feel like you are sitting in a car and driving a car, maybe an escape. Sprinter you feel like you are in a truck, sitting high. Those comments also work for suspension feel as well, transit car/sprinter truck. Me personally, i have driven trucks most of my life past a few sporty cars/wagons/sports cars. I'm more utility in my vehicle choices and prefer to sit high, so huge win for Sprinter for me personally. Its all opinion, but i think the sprinter just looks much better.



actual cockpit. i mention sprinter seats are much better and after driving still say that. The transit center council is kind of a pain to crawl past to go to the back. and since the seats are lower, you kind of fall into them. Dash, just kind of weird design to me. Sprinter seats are much higher, so high i built the foot box for vertically challenged wife 1.0. Dash better layout but must admit i hate the Mercedes MBUX "infotainment" system. Having owned many RAM/JEEP trucks with the awesome U-Connect, other manufactures should pay attention to someone who dies it right. But never tells Germans anything..... Also, Sprinter gear shift lever (looks like blinker stalk on the right side)....not sure who ever thought that thing was a good idea, but transits is kind of obtrusive.

Now the real nitty gritty, measurements. The sprinter is a complete build i did a while ago for a customer but showed interior better than mine so the picture i used. Transit was a partial for me, I just did the interior wall finish and sewing of things, customer built floor and cabinets. He brought it since he is changing floor plan for the 3rd time and I had to redo some things to match. I adjusted my measurements like if it was 100% finished the way i build, floor thickness and lower panel finish. so as apples to apples as i could get.


I was surprised the Transit was actually 1" narrower inside, but walls are MUCH thicker so outside is probably wider then. In a transit i can just fit an East/West bed in the natural window pocket at 74.5" vs sprinter max is 71. Transit you can just barely get away with no flares since 75" bed is pretty standard, sprinter have to do flares. I kind of prefer N/S if room allows, so moot point kind of. 3" height difference, ~9" usable floor length difference. transit more square to ceiling. wheel well location as i mentioned before. ALSO, Sprinter slider door is full height @77", transit door design is weird and is shorter @ 66.5" so always have to duck under it.

like i said, if for some reason i built another van for me it would more than likely be a sprinter, but probably a 3500 with super singles (i hate duallies). the extra capacity would be nice. I actually dream of building a chassis cab with a foam core box and flat bed, so....... Trying to sell it to wife 1.0-ha. Reality is, im 100% happy with my current build--just need to get out and enjoy more.