Got a sprinter! Now what?

[Paddy]

Picked up a sprinter in Nebraska last week and drover her home to Oregon. It was a big risk but the price was good enough for me to take it. Hoping it was the right choice! Here's the stats:

140" WB 2005 dodge sprinter
8550 gvwr
135k miles

First thing to do was find the nearest quickie lube and get her juiced up. Her service records indicated that she was not keeping service records so we always assume the worst. The lube guys were funny, very apologetic that it cost so much, but 10qt of 0-40 will be a bit more than a corolla for oil.

 

[Paddy]

With that taken care of we got the road and proceeded to knock down 1500 miles with no trouble and we were using cruise at 75 the whole way. Over the 2 tanks it took to travel that far, we averaged 25mpg. This tickled me quite a bit given the speed and mountainous areas. I haven't had cruise on a vehicle in, well, almost ever so I had forgotten how much less strain it is to drive long distance with it. Very happy it has that feature. Also happy that it has the espar coolant heater option, and even appears to work! This van has had little care so it's going to take some effort to get up to my standard, but I enjoy that kind of stuff so the fact that it runs fast and smooth is a great starting point.

 

[Paddy]

Next stop was the tint lady in twin falls. She tinted the two doors and sent me on my way. She did an okay job. It's a rough van so it will fly but I wouldn't take my other cars there, sorry tint lady. The dash pic shows the fuel gauge after 500 miles of freeway speeds! I don't know how the hell merc has don't this feat, but the truck has tons of power, and cruises 75-80 with 25mpg. That's insane. And that's before the tune already purchased from green diesel that we hope will push that number even higher. Coming from a tiny *** Tacoma that barely got 18 mpg with a wimpy 4cyl this is dreamy. Our range will possibly be 700miles after the chip on stock fuel tank.

 

[Paddy]

And we arrived. Now, on with mods. First was tossing the dodge hubcaps, that actually happened at an autozone somewhere in Wyoming (I think) and the grille was next. I feel a bit douchy replacing the grille but I'm a long time Benz owner, this is a Benz through and through (even the dodge grille said Mercedes on the back) so I feel it's worth the 59$ to rep the star up front. The rear badges have been removed and won't be replaced and I'm still deciding on the 2500 badge on side. Next up was new tires as the shoes she came in were almost not safe to drive on. I went with 245/75 slightly oversize. I wanted 235/85 but seemed they just wouldn't fit and I'm trying desperately to keep this vans road attributes intact.

Oh ya, painted the wheels black too. Shot them with epoxy black primer and top coat of some crappy black gloss. I'm a big fan of epoxy primer, nearly as tough as powder coat, but it's not UV stable so a top coat is required. I know, black wheels are so boring, but, the reason everyone does it is because it just looks good. I don't make the rules.

 

[Paddy]

Super dirty inside. So, the GF, in a rare show of interest, cleaned on it for several hours! Fun! while I was painting wheels.

Ready for the new grille.

 

[Paddy]

Now after seeing my friend get his sprinter stuck in hard sand I know that traction is going to be an issue. I called eaton to inquire about any traction aids they might offer for the rear diff but they were not helpful. I'm also looking into 4x4 conversion but I'm sort of hoping that I don't need to go that far. I will put together a decent recovery kit and just see how that does first, but I'd love an LSD or locker or something. Does anyone know of such a device for these?

 

[mezmochill]

I'd go after the rust first especially in PNW.

Have fun with it. Oregon rocks!

 

[Haf-E]

Glad its all worked out. Be sure to change the fuel filter soon so you know its good. Oil changes are super easy on a sprinter BTW - forget the oil change guys and just watch for specials on Mobil One 5 quart jugs.

I painted my wheels on my sprinter black as well... so easy to touch up. The stock silver was getting ragged from snowchains.

The low tops get better mileage but I really like standing up in the back and having a bed at the window level with plenty of room above and below.

Hope none of that rust is serious. What's your plan for the outside? I am planning on doing my lower half outside with some kind of truckbed liner soon - up to the indented stripe area along each side.

Sprinterfest is next weekend in Portland - don't think I am going to make it though...

 

[mhiscox]

I'd love an LSD or locker or something. Does anyone know of such a device for these?

Sadly, no.

Some weight over the rear wheels will help, as will some on-board air so you are OK with lowering tire pressures (which, BTW, don't need to be nearly as high as the pressures listed if you're not at GVWR). Then it's down to recovery gear. Also, the Sprinter is a truck where you can consider tire chains as a reasonable recovery/traction technique.

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth saying again that a SPOT or inReach makes a heck of a difference to the confidence you can have going into the backcountry with your Sprinter. A Sprinter admittedly can break in ways that you can't field repair, and you can get them stuck when the weather turns nasty. But that doesn't mean you need to be driving around in a thirty-year-old Unimog just because it's simple and won't get stuck. Better to use the Sprinter and have ways to deal cope with the awkward situations that might arise 0.3% of the time, IMHO.

 

[Paddy]

Between you three guys you pretty much read my mind on all counts! Yes rust is being dealt with right now, grindering each little spot and then dabbing por15 on those spots, will sand down and prime tomorrow. Underbody rust does exist in some areas, damn you mid westerners! But I'm a welder so I'm not super worried about that, although I think I rescued it just in time to avoid any serious damage.
Bedliner yes on rocker panel and I'm thinking of doing the walls, floor and outside ceiling in it as well for reasons of sound deadening, and grip. Paint is TBD but the eccentric side of me is dying to be let out, but the stealthy side of me loves the stealthy nature of a stock work van. I thought long and hard about the high roof, and in the end, despite being 6'5" myself, I decided the low van would suit better. Plus, this low mile example was a great price *low being subjective

Fuel filter: yep already did it. Went with napa brand made by wix. Unless anyone objects I'll leave the Mann and keep the 20$. It was easy(ish) to change and after two days I don't smell like diesel anymore.

Chains for sure, and a bubba rope and traction planks (mats?) made of GRP should suffice for now. I have a little portable winch that pulls pretty hard too. I don't have spot yet but I will usually be carrying alternate transpo in paramotor form, and I will make sure to carry a pen, to override the transmission if need be. We will also have kayaks on top so "hey honey the sprinter won't start, don't worry I'll yak down the river for help" :/. Merc disappoints in some of their engineering directions but the made up for it with this beautiful engine which is why you own a sprinter. I'm with you on the philosophy though. Coming from a very capable off road rig I realized that unless you're with friends, which for us many times we are not, if your fancy unbreakable toyota breaks or is stuck, you're kinda screwed. So, maybe ramping back a notch and just enjoying is best. A spot would still be very much in use for our life in our air sports so maybe soon we can pony up for one. I just hate monthly bills .

I've made some other crazy $hi! So I'm half tempted to design a pop top for it (low roof win)

 

[Paddy]

As for weight yeah I ran it across the scales and it came in at 5100 with me and a cooler, and 3/4 tank fuel. That was 3000 front axle and 2100 rear. That gives us a whopping 3450 lbs to bring of flying gear, beer, dogs and pillows.