jjohnny350
Adventurer
If you need 4x4 get a ford or chevy. If you dont, get a sprinter. Or if they come out with the 4x4 sprinter get that, will probably be pretty expensive though. I have a ford and like it.
Sprinter vs Ford/GM Vans
- Thread starter Marauder_Pilot
- Start date
mhiscox
Expedition Leader
The 2002-06 5-cylinder T1Ns routinely get better than 20 US mpg. When the 2007 V6 NCV3s came out, their fuel economy was as much as 5 mpg lower, with a consistent 20+ mpg becoming much rarer. Many view this year's NAFTA release of the 4-cylinder diesel with the 7-speed as an attempt to get back some of the outrageously good economy of the old T1Ns.
The 4WD Sprinter due out in a few months has 3-4 inches of lift from the factory--sure makes the tires look too small--but you otherwise have to go with Whitefeather's or Upscale Automotive's $20K-plus 4WD conversions to get more off-road worthy underpinnings. No aftermarket lockers, sadly. There are, however, some front bars, side protection and so on around; check sprinterstore.com as a starting point.
I had an extremely beefy winch-worthy bumper on my first Sprinter:
It was fabbed ten years back by South Texas Outfitters (http://www.southtexasoutfitters.com/), but I've never seen another one and there's no mention of it on their current website. I'll guess they might have the pattern around somewhere if you really wanted it.
All in all, though, kinda sparse pickings for Sprinter overlanding support. Pretty good if you're a plumber or painter, though.
GR8ADV
Explorer
Well welcome to the reasonably large group who have pondered this. I continue to scratch but a least I have time on my side. 4x4 is a must for me so I am glad to see the sprinter offering a factory version in 2015.
My criteria in no particular order are living area, being able to stand up, 4x4 capability, and reliability.
Both vans are great for living room due to their design. I cringe at the lost space in the a traditional truck design. A pop up is an outstanding idea because of the bed upstairs providing additional living area that does not need to be converted. However it does mean low height with the top down. One of many trade offs. The tall sprinter provides all time height which is great vs the pop up at a cost of a sleeping area. Also access height of the doors of a tall sprinter is very nice.
To get 4x4 in the E-van you need to replace it all. But y do get a great system with 16 inches or so of clearance midships. It's old school, reasonably simple, repairable and works very well for the intended purpose! However when I think about it all that is really left of the van is a Motor and a shell. So this meAns gong back to the older 7.3's. I like the sprinter's complete factory done system. Modern suspension and technology not only in both the engne and drive train but in the creature comforts. The e-van has really received no improvements for many years on impending phaseout. Some people complain about modern is more problematic and I disagree, I think it is more reliable. However there is much less chance of being able to fix it on the road and likely will need a modern technician if something does crap out. However North America is no longer remote distance wise and if u do get into a spot you have the SPOT.
As I would like buy something that I can reliably put 150k miles on it without too much worry I strongly lean to the sprinter. Of course it goes without saying that if knarly off road is ur thing the equation changes. I need to be able to travel off piste some, on mostly non paved roads and make it thru snow so the sprinter works.
If the two are atill a toss up for you go drive both and it no longer will be. They are very different. GL! And hope that this rambling at least provided you with a little something.
Fwiw there seems to be a fair amount of 'arguing' in many threads of late. This post is my opinion from my perspective for my life and needs. If ur ideas differ either keep them to yourself or post a reply with your thoughts and beliefs for your needs. �� Thx!
Edit: Forgot to add that I am completely drawn to the exterior of the e-van 4x4 from sportsmobile...I could stare at it forever. Crap, around and around we go
My criteria in no particular order are living area, being able to stand up, 4x4 capability, and reliability.
Both vans are great for living room due to their design. I cringe at the lost space in the a traditional truck design. A pop up is an outstanding idea because of the bed upstairs providing additional living area that does not need to be converted. However it does mean low height with the top down. One of many trade offs. The tall sprinter provides all time height which is great vs the pop up at a cost of a sleeping area. Also access height of the doors of a tall sprinter is very nice.
To get 4x4 in the E-van you need to replace it all. But y do get a great system with 16 inches or so of clearance midships. It's old school, reasonably simple, repairable and works very well for the intended purpose! However when I think about it all that is really left of the van is a Motor and a shell. So this meAns gong back to the older 7.3's. I like the sprinter's complete factory done system. Modern suspension and technology not only in both the engne and drive train but in the creature comforts. The e-van has really received no improvements for many years on impending phaseout. Some people complain about modern is more problematic and I disagree, I think it is more reliable. However there is much less chance of being able to fix it on the road and likely will need a modern technician if something does crap out. However North America is no longer remote distance wise and if u do get into a spot you have the SPOT.
As I would like buy something that I can reliably put 150k miles on it without too much worry I strongly lean to the sprinter. Of course it goes without saying that if knarly off road is ur thing the equation changes. I need to be able to travel off piste some, on mostly non paved roads and make it thru snow so the sprinter works.
If the two are atill a toss up for you go drive both and it no longer will be. They are very different. GL! And hope that this rambling at least provided you with a little something.
Fwiw there seems to be a fair amount of 'arguing' in many threads of late. This post is my opinion from my perspective for my life and needs. If ur ideas differ either keep them to yourself or post a reply with your thoughts and beliefs for your needs. �� Thx!
Edit: Forgot to add that I am completely drawn to the exterior of the e-van 4x4 from sportsmobile...I could stare at it forever. Crap, around and around we go
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