@Hodakaguy I knew I was initially following your builds somewhere other than ADVrider.... Nice to see ya over here on ExPo as well
Hodakaguy's 4x4 Sprinter Build
- Thread starter Hodakaguy
- Start date
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Wow... that is all I can say, wow. Finished product looks amazing! Nice detail on the install too.
And you are right, the Bilstein's in my ram are fab. Rides much more stable than OEM, and I love how the 35" tires roll and handle bumps.
Nice work man!
And you are right, the Bilstein's in my ram are fab. Rides much more stable than OEM, and I love how the 35" tires roll and handle bumps.
Nice work man!
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Thanks Rob, recieved the Shirt and Hat.....Awesome. Much appriciated! Thanks for the quality products you provide!
Hodakaguy
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Thanks mate, I'm exited to see the van finally coming together with the vision that I had in my head when I started this project.
Hodakaguy
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Next up time to start the air compressor install.
I'll be installing a VanCompass mount coupled with an ARB Twin air compressor. This compressor setup will be used primarily for airing up tires after we have deflated them for off road travel.
Typical VanCompass....parts came well packaged with great instructions.
First up you need to install two plus nuts into the factory open holes on the inner fender well. If your van came with the factory aux battery mounted here it will already have these attach points (You will have to remove the battery to run this mount).
You need to drill out the holes to fit the included Plus-nuts. I used a stretch of painters tape to capture any stray metal shavings (A magnet placed under the hole works great as well).
Cleaning up the inner and outer edges of the holes with the De-burring tool.
Painting the bare edges of the holes.
VanCompass included the two required plus nuts but didn't include an installation tool. I dug around in my parts bin and found a longer bolt, an oversize flared nut (Bolt needs to freely spin inside the nut) with serrations on the back side and a washer to use as an install tool. You need the serrations so that the cut digs into the plus nut and you can keep it from spinning while you tighten the nut into place. Simple tool and worked great.
Setting the plus nuts. Two wrenches work great as does a wrench and a socket/ratchet.
Remove the snap ties holding this wiring harness in place. The harness will be a snug fit around the Air Compressor mount.
Bolting the air compressor mount in place.
I installed a piece of plastic flex loom to keep the wiring harness from chaffing on the air compressor mount.
Continued Below....
I'll be installing a VanCompass mount coupled with an ARB Twin air compressor. This compressor setup will be used primarily for airing up tires after we have deflated them for off road travel.
Typical VanCompass....parts came well packaged with great instructions.
First up you need to install two plus nuts into the factory open holes on the inner fender well. If your van came with the factory aux battery mounted here it will already have these attach points (You will have to remove the battery to run this mount).
You need to drill out the holes to fit the included Plus-nuts. I used a stretch of painters tape to capture any stray metal shavings (A magnet placed under the hole works great as well).
Cleaning up the inner and outer edges of the holes with the De-burring tool.
Painting the bare edges of the holes.
VanCompass included the two required plus nuts but didn't include an installation tool. I dug around in my parts bin and found a longer bolt, an oversize flared nut (Bolt needs to freely spin inside the nut) with serrations on the back side and a washer to use as an install tool. You need the serrations so that the cut digs into the plus nut and you can keep it from spinning while you tighten the nut into place. Simple tool and worked great.
Setting the plus nuts. Two wrenches work great as does a wrench and a socket/ratchet.
Remove the snap ties holding this wiring harness in place. The harness will be a snug fit around the Air Compressor mount.
Bolting the air compressor mount in place.
I installed a piece of plastic flex loom to keep the wiring harness from chaffing on the air compressor mount.
Continued Below....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued From Above.....
Shiny new ARB Twin Compressor ready to be installed.
Bolting in the compressor.
The vacuum line on the brake booster can easily be re-routed to clear the compressor, just slide the retaining clip from the side of the metal tubing and place it up on top.
Now to get the unit wired and the tubing ran.
More to come....
Hodakaguy
Shiny new ARB Twin Compressor ready to be installed.
Bolting in the compressor.
The vacuum line on the brake booster can easily be re-routed to clear the compressor, just slide the retaining clip from the side of the metal tubing and place it up on top.
Now to get the unit wired and the tubing ran.
More to come....
Hodakaguy
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Time to get the plumbing installed on the air compressor.
I stopped by a local industrial supply company and had them make me up a Teflon lined stainless steel braided hose, this hose will be the one that connects to the compressor. With the hose and parts in hand it's time to get started.
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
ARB Twin Air Compressor - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Industrial Male air fitting - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Brass Air Fitting Male - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Brass 90's - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Bulkhead Fittings - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Agile Offroad Billet Air Caps - CLICK HERE
I'll be using this setup for the bumper mount air connection.
These billet caps from Agile offroad are a great way to keep dirt etc out of the couplers when they aren't in use.
I'll be mounting the air coupler on the passenger side of the front bumper step. I found a scrap piece of stainless steel angle that will work perfect for fabricating a mount. A Porta-Band, Belt Sander and a Drill make quick work of this step.
Test fitting the new bracket for location.
The bracket is recessed back into the step making drilling holes very difficult. I bent a piece of 1/4" all-thread and then heated it with a torch, using the stainless mount as a template it was easy to melt through the plastic...Done.
1/4" Stainless Steel braided Teflon lined air hose. This hose will handle high temps making it a reliable long term solution.
Assembling the whole setup.
Continued Below.....
I stopped by a local industrial supply company and had them make me up a Teflon lined stainless steel braided hose, this hose will be the one that connects to the compressor. With the hose and parts in hand it's time to get started.
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
ARB Twin Air Compressor - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Industrial Male air fitting - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Brass Air Fitting Male - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Brass 90's - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Bulkhead Fittings - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Agile Offroad Billet Air Caps - CLICK HERE
I'll be using this setup for the bumper mount air connection.
These billet caps from Agile offroad are a great way to keep dirt etc out of the couplers when they aren't in use.
I'll be mounting the air coupler on the passenger side of the front bumper step. I found a scrap piece of stainless steel angle that will work perfect for fabricating a mount. A Porta-Band, Belt Sander and a Drill make quick work of this step.
Test fitting the new bracket for location.
The bracket is recessed back into the step making drilling holes very difficult. I bent a piece of 1/4" all-thread and then heated it with a torch, using the stainless mount as a template it was easy to melt through the plastic...Done.
1/4" Stainless Steel braided Teflon lined air hose. This hose will handle high temps making it a reliable long term solution.
Assembling the whole setup.
Continued Below.....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued from above....
And installed. I used Stainless bolts with large washers on the back sides to reinforce the back side of the plastic.
I installed another quick connect at the compressor. This gives me the option to plug my fill hose directly into the compressor if anything ever happens to the lower connection or the hose...I like options.
Next up I'll be wiring the compressor. More to come!
Hodakaguy
And installed. I used Stainless bolts with large washers on the back sides to reinforce the back side of the plastic.
I installed another quick connect at the compressor. This gives me the option to plug my fill hose directly into the compressor if anything ever happens to the lower connection or the hose...I like options.
Next up I'll be wiring the compressor. More to come!
Hodakaguy
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Wiring Time!
The wiring that comes with the ARB compressor is quite extensive and includes wiring for diff lockers and a bunch of stuff I won't be needing. I started by removing the wiring that I don't need so I'll end up with a clean harness.
Here is a the factory wiring diagram, the red X is the wiring I removed and won't be using. I cut the trigger wiring down and I'll be triggering the compressor through the Switch Pro SP9100.
I started with the main power harness. Here I'm shortening the harness, the ground will be installed on the factory ground stud next to the compressor.
I'll be wiring the compressor to the starter battery. When running the compressor I'll run the engine so the alternator carries the load. Located under the hood is the factory jump start terminal for the positive cable of the battery. The factory jump start wiring is connected to the battery under the van at a terminal on the rear of the battery box. This terminal makes a perfect point to connect the compressor with a nice short run of wiring.
The protective red plastic cap just pops off the terminal. I'll modify this cap shortly to make it compatible with the new compressor wiring.
Adding some marine ring terminals to the ARB power wires.
Power wiring ran and snap tied in place.
Continued Below....
The wiring that comes with the ARB compressor is quite extensive and includes wiring for diff lockers and a bunch of stuff I won't be needing. I started by removing the wiring that I don't need so I'll end up with a clean harness.
Here is a the factory wiring diagram, the red X is the wiring I removed and won't be using. I cut the trigger wiring down and I'll be triggering the compressor through the Switch Pro SP9100.
I started with the main power harness. Here I'm shortening the harness, the ground will be installed on the factory ground stud next to the compressor.
I'll be wiring the compressor to the starter battery. When running the compressor I'll run the engine so the alternator carries the load. Located under the hood is the factory jump start terminal for the positive cable of the battery. The factory jump start wiring is connected to the battery under the van at a terminal on the rear of the battery box. This terminal makes a perfect point to connect the compressor with a nice short run of wiring.
The protective red plastic cap just pops off the terminal. I'll modify this cap shortly to make it compatible with the new compressor wiring.
Adding some marine ring terminals to the ARB power wires.
Power wiring ran and snap tied in place.
Continued Below....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued From Above.....
I used a 90 Deg air tool and a rotofile bit open up a hole to clear the new wiring, this will allow the cap to snap back in place and protect the terminal from accidental shorts.
Shortening the trigger wire harness, only the small section on the bottom will be used.
Printing some heat shrink labeling for the trigger wire to Switch Pro connection. This tape cartridge is getting old and is a bit light but it's still legible so I went with it.
Tying the trigger wiring into the Switch Pro, This assembly lives under the passenger seat and controls my lighting and air compressor.
Trigger wiring connection under the hood.
This is the routing that the trigger wire takes to get from the passenger side seat base Switch Pro unit to under the hood. The wiring crosses over from the passenger side to the drivers side under the flooring (There is a built in wire chase for this purpose), then exits the drivers base and runs under the plastic on the drivers foot well and out of a rubber grommet where the roof AC lines used to run.
Wiring under the hood.
Continued Below....
I used a 90 Deg air tool and a rotofile bit open up a hole to clear the new wiring, this will allow the cap to snap back in place and protect the terminal from accidental shorts.
Shortening the trigger wire harness, only the small section on the bottom will be used.
Printing some heat shrink labeling for the trigger wire to Switch Pro connection. This tape cartridge is getting old and is a bit light but it's still legible so I went with it.
Tying the trigger wiring into the Switch Pro, This assembly lives under the passenger seat and controls my lighting and air compressor.
Trigger wiring connection under the hood.
This is the routing that the trigger wire takes to get from the passenger side seat base Switch Pro unit to under the hood. The wiring crosses over from the passenger side to the drivers side under the flooring (There is a built in wire chase for this purpose), then exits the drivers base and runs under the plastic on the drivers foot well and out of a rubber grommet where the roof AC lines used to run.
Wiring under the hood.
Continued Below....
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued From Above....
The controls to the Switch pro are in my headliner, located within easy reach just above the dome light.
With the compressor wired and now fully installed I turned my attention to setting up a dual tire inflation setup. This setup will allow me to fill (Or deflate) two tires at once. Since I run my front tires at a different pressure than the rear I'm going to make a two tire setup so I can fill the fronts as a pair and then the rears as a pair. You could also make a 4 tire setup with the addition of two more splitters. I'm making up two of these units, one for myself and one for my father to carry in his Tacoma.
You can buy these dual & quad inflation setups pre-made but the cost is higher and with the Flexzilla Pro hose I can change the length of hose as needed, if I get a hole in a hose I can shorten the hose in the field with the re-usable ends and keep on using the setup.
This setup costs $135 to make, including all three sections of air hose and the digital gauge.
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
1/4" Brass ball Valve (Quantity 1) - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Lock on Air Chuck (Quantity 2) - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Flexzilla Pro Hose (100' is perfect for two setups, 50' for one) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Digital Pressure Gauge - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Flexzilla Extra Ends (Quantity 4 for 1 assembly) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Male Air Fitting (Quantity 1) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Quick Coupler Air Fitting Male (Quantity 2) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Quick Coupler Air Fitting Female (Quantity 1) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Female Air Fitting (Quantity 3) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Brass 4 way manifold (Quantity 1) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Storage Bag for completed twin filler system - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Laying the parts out to get started, most but not all of the parts are laid out there.
After measuring enough hose to reach just past the rear of the van I cut the hose at that location. I wanted the main hose to be long enough to use by itself at all 4 tires if I choose...I like options!
The ends are aircraft aluminum, you slide the hose through the flexible whip then press the hose onto the barb. When you screw the fittings together it compresses the hose and locks it in place. Simple, fast and works great!
Manifold assembled and shorter hoses made up.
Both units finished.
JT Tire Pro Deflators. I carry a set of these in the van to make quick work of deflating the tires. You set the desired pressure and screw them onto each tire. All 4 tires will air down till they meet the set pressure and then they will seat and stop blowing, unscrew the units and your ready for off road travel! I like these units as they save a lot of time if your deflating all 4 tires over doing each tire individually. I've found the accuracy to be within a couple pounds of set pressure, perfect for deflated tires.
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
J.T. Pro Automatic Deflators - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Continued Below.....
The controls to the Switch pro are in my headliner, located within easy reach just above the dome light.
With the compressor wired and now fully installed I turned my attention to setting up a dual tire inflation setup. This setup will allow me to fill (Or deflate) two tires at once. Since I run my front tires at a different pressure than the rear I'm going to make a two tire setup so I can fill the fronts as a pair and then the rears as a pair. You could also make a 4 tire setup with the addition of two more splitters. I'm making up two of these units, one for myself and one for my father to carry in his Tacoma.
You can buy these dual & quad inflation setups pre-made but the cost is higher and with the Flexzilla Pro hose I can change the length of hose as needed, if I get a hole in a hose I can shorten the hose in the field with the re-usable ends and keep on using the setup.
This setup costs $135 to make, including all three sections of air hose and the digital gauge.
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
1/4" Brass ball Valve (Quantity 1) - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Lock on Air Chuck (Quantity 2) - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Flexzilla Pro Hose (100' is perfect for two setups, 50' for one) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Digital Pressure Gauge - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Flexzilla Extra Ends (Quantity 4 for 1 assembly) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Male Air Fitting (Quantity 1) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Quick Coupler Air Fitting Male (Quantity 2) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Quick Coupler Air Fitting Female (Quantity 1) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Milton 1/4" Female Air Fitting (Quantity 3) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
1/4" Brass 4 way manifold (Quantity 1) - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Storage Bag for completed twin filler system - On Amazon Here: CLICK HERE
Laying the parts out to get started, most but not all of the parts are laid out there.
After measuring enough hose to reach just past the rear of the van I cut the hose at that location. I wanted the main hose to be long enough to use by itself at all 4 tires if I choose...I like options!
The ends are aircraft aluminum, you slide the hose through the flexible whip then press the hose onto the barb. When you screw the fittings together it compresses the hose and locks it in place. Simple, fast and works great!
Manifold assembled and shorter hoses made up.
Both units finished.
JT Tire Pro Deflators. I carry a set of these in the van to make quick work of deflating the tires. You set the desired pressure and screw them onto each tire. All 4 tires will air down till they meet the set pressure and then they will seat and stop blowing, unscrew the units and your ready for off road travel! I like these units as they save a lot of time if your deflating all 4 tires over doing each tire individually. I've found the accuracy to be within a couple pounds of set pressure, perfect for deflated tires.
Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!
J.T. Pro Automatic Deflators - On Amazon here: CLICK HERE
Continued Below.....
Last edited:
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Continued From Above....
After using the deflators to drop the pressure in the front tires to 25psi It's time to test out the new compressor and manifold to see how long it takes the compressor to air up the two 34" tires from 25 psi to 50 psi.
Attaching the air hose to the valve stems.
All hooked up and ready to go!
The new compressor setup works GREAT! It took exactly 3 minutes to fill the two 34" tires from 25 psi to 50 psi. This will make short work of airing tires back up for the highway after off road travel!
Short video showing the setup in action.
And all packed up in the storage bag, ready for travel and use.
Now on to the next project.....
More to come..
Hodakaguy
After using the deflators to drop the pressure in the front tires to 25psi It's time to test out the new compressor and manifold to see how long it takes the compressor to air up the two 34" tires from 25 psi to 50 psi.
Attaching the air hose to the valve stems.
All hooked up and ready to go!
The new compressor setup works GREAT! It took exactly 3 minutes to fill the two 34" tires from 25 psi to 50 psi. This will make short work of airing tires back up for the highway after off road travel!
Short video showing the setup in action.
And all packed up in the storage bag, ready for travel and use.
Now on to the next project.....
More to come..
Hodakaguy
Last edited:
Hodakaguy
Adventurer
Beautiful Morning Sunrise....
Travel Light, Travel Fast!
Weighted our van this morning, fully loaded for travel (Except clothing and food) and weights in at 7320 lbs total, GVRW is 8550. Not bad as that includes the roof rack, 34" tires, full 47 gallon fuel tank, suspension with 2" lift, ladder, rock sliders, fridge, bed, cook gear, etc etc.
Just a reminder to keep weight in mind when building your setup, the trip is much more enjoyable and safer when the vehicle is light and handles well
2017 Sprinter Wet Wiper System Upgrade!
Seen this upgrade in a previous post and did it to our van today, great upgrade! For this install you install Mercedes OEm wet wiper arms and blades from a 2019-2020 Sprinter. The washer fluid travels up through a hose on the arm then into the blade itself where it squirts out small holes that are drilled all the way down the length of the blade.
The OEM washer nozzles on the 2017 clip onto the arm and they break off super easy, especially when washing the window with a squeegee. They also don't spray where you actually want the fluid to go. With the Wet Wipers the fluid is evenly distributed onto the windshield
Install took maybe 10 minutes, pretty happy to have this addition on the van.
Total $175. If you want to order this setup here are the Mercedes Part Numbers.
Wiper Blades (Set): 9108240100
Wiper Arm Left: 9108205600
Wiper Arm Right: 9108205700
New parts.
The washer fluid travels up the wiper arms through tubing then into the wipers themselves, there are holes all along the wiper blade that the water squirts out of.
Photo of the wipers/washers in action.
Video of the washers/wipers in action.
Hodakaguy
Travel Light, Travel Fast!
Weighted our van this morning, fully loaded for travel (Except clothing and food) and weights in at 7320 lbs total, GVRW is 8550. Not bad as that includes the roof rack, 34" tires, full 47 gallon fuel tank, suspension with 2" lift, ladder, rock sliders, fridge, bed, cook gear, etc etc.
Just a reminder to keep weight in mind when building your setup, the trip is much more enjoyable and safer when the vehicle is light and handles well
2017 Sprinter Wet Wiper System Upgrade!
Seen this upgrade in a previous post and did it to our van today, great upgrade! For this install you install Mercedes OEm wet wiper arms and blades from a 2019-2020 Sprinter. The washer fluid travels up through a hose on the arm then into the blade itself where it squirts out small holes that are drilled all the way down the length of the blade.
The OEM washer nozzles on the 2017 clip onto the arm and they break off super easy, especially when washing the window with a squeegee. They also don't spray where you actually want the fluid to go. With the Wet Wipers the fluid is evenly distributed onto the windshield
Install took maybe 10 minutes, pretty happy to have this addition on the van.
Total $175. If you want to order this setup here are the Mercedes Part Numbers.
Wiper Blades (Set): 9108240100
Wiper Arm Left: 9108205600
Wiper Arm Right: 9108205700
New parts.
The washer fluid travels up the wiper arms through tubing then into the wipers themselves, there are holes all along the wiper blade that the water squirts out of.
Photo of the wipers/washers in action.
Video of the washers/wipers in action.
Hodakaguy