Considering swapping sprinter for this little gem

[Paddy]

I love my sprinter. It does hi speed and fuel economy great. Only thing I don't like about it is, 4wd. I basically need it for where we go. Sucks, but true. I even went so far as to import a 4wd parts kit from over seas but that project never took off.
Then I saw this little gem. A dodge champion? Not sure what chassis it has but it's factory 1ton dually 4x4 with a 360 motor.

Anyone know what diesel swap options are out there for something like this? I'd love a Cummins 12V or something. Anyway just day dreaming.

 

[86scotty]

That's really cool, but I honestly can't see it going many places a 2wd Sprinter won't go due to it's height and width. Also, rear overhang will more than likely be a huge concern on an RV. Most have plumbing/low hanging tanks behind the rear axle. It's neat though, I'd love to know more and see more pics. As for a diesel swap in something like that I bet it would be VERY loud. The motor is going to be right between the front seats, isn't it?

 

[luthj]

I seriously doubt the body can handle washboard and crappy roads. I can see cabinets and walls splitting after a while...

The width is probably over 7 feet? That's definitely going to be restrictive.

 

[Paddy]

True true. The rear overhang doesn't look too bad actually, but yeah. Probably noisy yes. This one has broken 360 motor but only 26000 original miles. I always forget that they frame these with wood like a house which seems absurd.

 

[Paddy]

Curiously the rear axle is dually but the front seems to be standard axle so there are two types of rims on it.

 

[Philp100]

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?19889-Cummins-in-Fleetwood-Flair-RV

Sent by pure magic

 

[dwh]

Curiously the rear axle is dually but the front seems to be standard axle so there are two types of rims on it.

Ya. I seriously doubt that was a factory 4WD. Most likely semeone's conversion project.

 

[Haf-E]

Here are some more photos - http://www.classycampers.com/1976-dodge-champion-motorhome/

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

That thing is rad. Green carpet and all.

 

[rex_1_mn]

That thing is rad. Green carpet and all.

It is pretty sweet. Dont think I would make it into a safari vehicle and if 4wd is what your after that might not be the ticket for tough roads. But it is sweet!

 

[Abitibi]

And looks like you could drive in reverse just as fast as forward! Well, just looking at body shape

That thing is soooo clean but I agree she'd be a street Queen that could at most handle some beach, some snow or wet grass...

Can't you fit good mud tires, a rear locker and deflate down to 15-20 psi to get you in nasty places with your sprinter?

Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

 

[dwh]

That thing is rad. Green carpet and all.

Not just green. Green SHAG. The only thing missing is the obligatory bean bag chair.

 

[tequilasunset]

They forgot to mow the inside yard...

 

[Bbasso]

Is it April 1st?

 

[Paddy]

And looks like you could drive in reverse just as fast as forward! Well, just looking at body shape

That thing is soooo clean but I agree she'd be a street Queen that could at most handle some beach, some snow or wet grass...

Can't you fit good mud tires, a rear locker and deflate down to 15-20 psi to get you in nasty places with your sprinter?

Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

Yeah we get by but airing down is a pita and no guarantee by any stretch. What sprinter excells at is slaying slabs to get to the places where we get stuck. The old dodge wouldn't do that nearly as well of course. But on the beach, and up the logging road where that wet grass IS enough to stick a 2wd van, the green shagmaster could easily turn around.

I believe they were factory 4x4 judging by pictures of other examples from back in the day. If it wasn't factory it was at least a popular conversion.