2017 Sprinter 4x4 144"

blackntan · Feb 20, 2018

grantwilson said:
So big moves for little people

Bumpers!

Aluminess bumpers front and rear.
I will say this. They are the best packaged, safe and sound bumpers I have ever bought. I like the instructions (about 85-90% complete) and the fitment was really spot on. Have about 2.5 hours into it, and maybe a few more into the rear end of it to go. Front end fits perfect with zero issues. Rear end fits well, but wish it was an actual bumper instead of an add on, but i get why it isnt.

Overall, 10/10 would spend an arm and a leg again.

bumpers by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bumpers by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bumpers by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bumpers by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bumpers by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bumpers by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

green with 4x4 van envy

grantwilson · Feb 21, 2018

grantwilson · Mar 3, 2018

Ok. Catching up for a while!
Fully Finished installing the bumpers. Overall a pretty easy task

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Still working on the big lights for the front.

The next step was to make a required flag pole mount (Everything i camp with has one)
Used 2x2 angle 6061 aluminum and a scrap piece of tube with a small disk i made for the bottom. Welded it all together

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Used Rivnuts to attach to the upright on the bumper swingout with some stainless 1/4-20 x 1" Stainless button head screws

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The flagpole i use is this one:
http://amzn.to/2GXR08E
It is now 2 years old, and still great. Its a little gritty from sand, but works fantastic even in huge winds.

Installed a cool switch system i found on amazon here:
http://amzn.to/2oER5qV

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Use it to power all the lights on the exterior and the air compressor.
My bumper came with sensor cutouts for some reason, so i put in rock lights in the holes

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Installed my ARB compressor

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
to power these airhorns:
http://amzn.to/2oMW0FD
With this tank to hold the air
http://amzn.to/2FMO5Qw
Which i mounted on the stock spare tire carrier (ill insert a pic when i get a chance to grab one)
And an air chuck in the rear bumper so I can fill up tires, and use a nail gun lol

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Next step is to take a few glam shots

Night beach Sprinter by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

grantwilson · Mar 3, 2018

Then i had to pull a brodozer out of the beach

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Worked like a champ, then he decided he wanted to go forward, and let someone else mess with that, an hour later he was out lol. Idiots. And they still had to go backwards.

Finishing up the frame on the cabinet

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I really can weld, I promise. I'm just super lazy and don't care. See!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Then i started to skin it so i can paint!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

and the painting!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I started by using a roller, but i suck at it, so i broke out the airless sprayer and did it quickly. Moved them into the garage to dry overnight, and I will do the other sides when it warms up!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Can't make it out well, but its a light grey to balance the Dark woods and trim on the inside.

Tex68w · Mar 5, 2018

This project is coming along nicely.

Chris M. · Mar 5, 2018

Why did you get rid of the taco? That thing was badass

grantwilson · Mar 5, 2018

Chris M. said:
Why did you get rid of the taco? That thing was badass

because second 90 lb dog lol

grantwilson · Mar 10, 2018

All is coming together!
Using a countertop from ikea, i threw that on put it all in the truck and started building more.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I garffed up on the drawer, it isn't quite square as i was in a rush, so i get to remake it. Won't slide all the way back and lock into the quiet slides. Go figure on my part.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
But, I am overall very happy with the fit and finish of the unit. Everything seems to be within an 1/8 or so of an inch measurement wise which is good enough for me.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I mounted the espar heater controls, 12v and usb ports on the side behind the driver. Cabinet doors installed with positive retainers to keep the door closed

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
also got some new goodies to keep me powered. Small power box to run the camera and slide for long night time lapses. (or day for that matter). My Fuji just eats batteries and it screws up the flow if i have to stop and change it and hope i reposition it correctly. Outdoor Tech makes some awesome gear. Also a larger speaker for the van that wont roll around like the UE boom does.

Got a land use map from Best Maps ever (https://bestmapsever.com/collections/frontpage/products/nps-usfs-blm-fws-interagency-map-24x36-poster)
Put cork on the back, trimmed it and hung it!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Now I can try and keep up with everywhere we go. I care less about the states and more about the cool stuff in the states

if some of you remember I was working on a curved cabinet. Finished up the frame and actually got it all the way done, but I was not happy with the space tradeoff. Not enough storage and reach in room to keep the bend. So I threw it away and went square

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

overall happy with it for sure!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Eric Murray · Mar 15, 2018

I just bought mine two weeks ago. My wife and I spent the day checking out the capabilities in "Storm Skylar" as it hit N.H.
My plan emulate an Outside Van with my own few twists. Your pictures there great.

grantwilson · Mar 18, 2018

Lots more done!
Main cabinet is pretty much all done. Have to paint it and add some handles and she is pretty much done. Well, I also have to make some shelves in it.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The last big package came in finally as well. A Warn Zeon 10S Platinum. Wireless life is the life

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

You do have to relocate the solenoid using the LONG relocation kit in order to have it far enough back to reach the main battery. So make sure you are aware of that. It is required to relocate the solenoid for the Zeon Platinums due to clearance.

Also installed hte fork mount in the rear so that i can throw the bike in and not take up as much space!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Made up some tshirts that i ended up selling without even planning to lol

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

And friday night was the first family (wife and two big dogs) trip out to the drive in theater about an hour and a half away, then some lake side camping in Ocala National forest that night

Sprinter 4x4 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
the puppers did very well!

And some glamour shots

Sprinter 4x4 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Flipper · Mar 18, 2018

Your craftsmanship is over the top!

fred_on_dirt · Mar 20, 2018

Grant, amazingly sick execution! What a project. Inspiring.

I know this isn't really cool to ask - at least in my forum lurking so far I don't see much discussion of it - but how much do you reckon you've put into this project in total? Rough ballpark?

grantwilson · Mar 21, 2018

Dollar wise id say im in the 85-90 range
Time wise, 150 hours?

grantwilson · Apr 10, 2018

Not a huge amount of work, mainly because its paint that i have left to do and some wood trim, but it has been raining on every day that i could do it!

BUT I did get some stuff done.
I wanted a storage shelf under the bed to carry the things i always have in the van
2-3 tripods, Video Slider, Flagpole and flags, area light on tripod.
To do this, i used some 1" square tube welded up into a U with some flanges and just used rivnuts to bolt it to the bottom of the bed.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Used some clamps to approximate location and mount the board using some self drilling stainless screws

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Final location allowed perfect placement for the bike with no room to spare!

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
still need to make a rear stop (hit the brakes and everything slid out lol)

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
then went out and broke in the new 300.00 Bikes direct bicycle!
Had a great time out at the trails with the guy who bought my outback I built (to the left of me)

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Also ran into the El Kapitan Van at the Lowes the other day.

Coming up?
Still need some bumper lights
CTEK charger to get some DC to DC going to take care of the hot water demands.
Paint the rest of the cabinets
Finish wood trim
Narrow the bed frame (front to back about 4")
Curtain for the storage area to separate it from the main compartment (have it sewn, just need to mount it)

I decided against making a second cabinet above the bed. I think there is plenty of storage between the vertical cabinet, overhead cabinet on the driver side and drawer, as well as the area the trail kitchens takes up has storage also.

David C Gibbs · Apr 19, 2018

Mercedes has stated, that starting late 2018, for the 2019 models; in the US, won’t have the Hi-top! This will cause a price rise, and a lack of inventory .... Back to the drawing board. I’m bummed.

grantwilson · Apr 19, 2018

David C Gibbs said:
Mercedes has stated, that starting late 2018, for the 2019 models; in the US, won’t have the Hi-top! This will cause a price rise, and a lack of inventory .... Back to the drawing board. I’m bummed.

now selling, built 4x4 hi roof for 110k lol

Overland California · Apr 19, 2018

grantwilson said:
now selling, built 4x4 hi roof for 110k lol

You could probably get someone to spend $130K on yours!

Nice rig though. Really great craftsmanship and engineering in your add ons. Quick question/concern: what does your van weigh and do you really think the Warn 10K winch will be enough?

grantwilson · Apr 19, 2018

Stan the Man said:
You could probably get someone to spend $130K on yours!

Nice rig though. Really great craftsmanship and engineering in your add ons. Quick question/concern: what does your van weigh and do you really think the Warn 10K winch will be enough?

7400 range, and yes. Already had to use it lol.

Ill sell it all day for 100k if someone wanted it.

Overland California · Apr 19, 2018

grantwilson said:
7400 range, and yes. Already had to use it lol.

Ill sell it all day for 100k if someone wanted it.

Thanks. My truck is 6,800 lbs. Using the 1.5x recommended rating, that puts me at 10,200 lbs. I could probably go for a 10k winch, but the pricing and weight differences between a 10k and 12k winch are minimal, and I assume vehicle weight will only go up when more modifications happen.

If you ever max out your pulling power, you could always use a snatch block to double the pull strength.

grantwilson · Apr 20, 2018

Stan the Man said:
Thanks. My truck is 6,800 lbs. Using the 1.5x recommended rating, that puts me at 10,200 lbs. I could probably go for a 10k winch, but the pricing and weight differences between a 10k and 12k winch are minimal, and I assume vehicle weight will only go up when more modifications happen.

If you ever max out your pulling power, you could always use a snatch block to double the pull strength.

My mods are done, and i knew my target weight pretty much. I carry 3 or 4 snatch blocks, and all the gear to use them most of the time when i go out and may do dumb stuff. I ALWAYS have at least one, a winch extension, couple tree straps and stuff to get out of typical stuck. Im not all that worried about it.

2017 Sprinter 4x4 144"

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