Sprinter 318 4x4 Build

[Russ Humphreys]

OK it's a campervan but hopefully you'll find it interesting. I've not kept a photo record really so the pictures will be a bit random.

For the petrol heads the van spec. is:


Engine - OM642. 3.0 litre V6. 190bhp, 440Nm
Selectable 4wd. Electrically selected by locking the transfer box. MB do numerous variations. Permanent 4wd with locking center diff, hill decent etc.
No low range but at the end of the day it's not an extreme off road vehicle. You can get a low range transfer box and the earlier ones had 3 mechanical diff locks but it's tricky to find a decent one.
Traction control.
Lifted around 120mm over standard. That's std from the factory.
Medium wheel base.

Plan:
Permanent double bed.
Space and water heating. Truma combi lpg
Compact kitchen unit. In white gloss lightweight ply.
Elevating roof.
70 litre water tank.
Internal and external shower.
Awning. Fiamma f45s, nice simple and light
Fridge / freezer
4 New shocks (ouch, £224 each for the fronts with a big discount)
Cruise control

I'm just working on a few things right now, we set off on a trip through Europe this wednesday

 

[Russ Humphreys]

A few more.

The underbody one shows a sump, steering and transfer box guard. After Europe we plan on travelling through Africa, hence this added protection.

It's never going to be an extreme off road vehicle such as a Toyota Land Cruiser but they are very capable off road.

 

[Russ Humphreys]

Some photos of the finished van, ready for a trip through Europe starting today

 

[unimog]

Nice looking job I have a ex environment agency 2004 313 4x4 sprinter converted to camper van and its a great piece of kit I use mine as a site work vehicle as well as a camper . I have fitted a front mounted winch that has proved itself several times . Mike

 

[Russ Humphreys]

I'm undecided on a winch. Maybe when we go to Africa but they do add significant weight. I've done my fare share of off road (I used to be an instructor and played around at 4x4 trailing).

I may stick with my weight saving mantra and basically turn around if it looks like we risk getting stuck. Sand ladders and a tirfor maybe all we take.

For a van they are pretty capable aren't they I've seen them make LR Defender's look silly.

I guess yours has the 3 mechanical diff locks? Ours makes do with traction control, no match for diff locks in the right hands.

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[Rob Turner]

Absolutely superb Russ!! Good luck on your adventures. Was the van from work? The only thing i personally would have changed would be a bigger water tank but like you say,weight is always an issue.
My last camper before i bought my MH had 50 lts capacity and i found it was never enough. The van looks great and with the pop top will have loads of room.

 

[WillH]

Very tidy job, you'll be able to camp in places other campers cannot reach. Enjoy your travels!

 

[Russ Humphreys]

Thanks for the comments.

The water is OK as long as you use the showers in the campsites.

We're in Corfu at the moment, staying here for the next 10days or so with our daughter. Then we're following the sun south to the Peloponnese.
A Swiss guy and his wife parked up next to us in another 4x4 Sprinter, he was a goldmine of information on mainland Greece and Albania. So we want to go to Albania on the way home but the weather maybe against us by end of October.
A few photos.
Mostly Italy,
Thunder storm in Rome
Sunrise on the east coast
And waiting for the ferry to Corfu

 

[mitzimad]

where did you source the elevating roof is it made for a sprinter or something else modified?

 

[Russ Humphreys]

It's from UK poptop so, Yorkshire. It's a universal roof, in hind sight I think a T5 lwb would have worked.
They seem pretty common in North America and of course Germany.

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[gus-lopez]

Lovely job. Hope all goes well.

 

[Anthea M]

Looks great , well done and enjoy your trip!

 

[GreenHell]

What sort of MPG do you get in the V6 4x4 Sprinter?

I've seen these for sale and I'm sorely tempted!

 

[Russ Humphreys]

It's been doing 24 to 26mpg on this trip. A lot, and I mean a lot, of 2nd and 3rd gear roads so probably OK. For such a lump of a vehicle it's quick if that's your thing. 440Nm makes it very flexible.
When we get back I will get a remap, not for more power although it will then be 250bhp and 480Nm plus but for an egr and dpf delete. I expect 30mpg plus then.

 

[GreenHell]

It's been doing 24 to 26mpg on this trip. A lot, and I mean a lot, of 2nd and 3rd gear roads so probably OK. For such a lump of a vehicle it's quick if that's your thing. 440Nm makes it very flexible.
When we get back I will get a remap, not for more power although it will then be 250bhp and 480Nm plus but for an egr and dpf delete. I expect 30mpg plus then.

Wow, that's good. That's nowhere near as bad as i'd have thought. I've read some horror stories about fuel economy on the V6 4x4 models. Mid teens maximum.

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[hilldweller]

Big wow from me. That is a proper job go anywhere ( well nearly ) MH.

It brings a down side, you can't blame the MH. "The road was too rough" - RUBBISH.

 

[Russ Humphreys]

Wow, that's good. That's nowhere near as bad as i'd have thought. I've read some horror stories about fuel economy on the V6 4x4 models. Mid teens maximum.

My son has the 313 4x4. He doesn't abuse it but he only gets 20ish. I'm sure heavily laden work vans driven like they were stolen could be in single figures.
On motorway type roads I tend to set the cruise at 64ish, with the odd 80mph. I don't drive like my grannie but I do drive with mechanical sympathy if that makes sense.
When we head to Africa the egr and dpf won't play nice with poor quality high sulphur diesel. So I'll delete them. That should improve mpg.

 

[unimog]

Removing the EGR valve does not improve mpg but agree with the pdf being a problem with poor quality fuel
http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2012/05/dont-block-or-remove-the-egr-valve-its-saving-you-money/

 

[Russ Humphreys]

Removing the EGR valve does not improve mpg but agree with the pdf being a problem with poor quality fuel
http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2012/05/dont-block-or-remove-the-egr-valve-its-saving-you-money/

It's not the the action of the egr as such but the reduction in the crud it deposits in your intake system that is of benifit. On a new / clean engine I'd agree there's no benifit but over time they deposit so much carbon that they strangle an engines ability to breath efficiently. Worse than that they cause multiple issues such as jammed swirl valves or multiple active re gens if the dpf. If you're lucky all that does is increase mpg. If you're unucky it puts the engine into limp home mode or breaks the swirl valves = big bucks. I really don't see much of an upside