[Update 5/28: I had an inspection done shortly after posting this and determined that several pieces of maintenance were needed. These items were completed professionally and I am now putting this back on the market. Please see below under “maintenance” for more info.]
After 4 years of reliable service, I am ready to pass on my beloved Reptar to its next owner. This is a 2006 Dodge Sprinter, 140″ wheelbase, high roof model with 207k miles. The van is in excellent condition for its mileage, and gets complimented every time I take it in for an oil change (yes, I’m lazy). This is the highly sought-after final model year of the T1N sprinter, with the legendarily reliable pre-emissions turbodiesel engine.
I lived out of this van cumulatively for a total of about a year and took it on countless weekend trips in between those stints. While many people opt to build in complicated modular couch / bed arrangements, I designed this to maximize storage space, which makes it excellent for living in full time if – like me – you are a multi-sport enthusiast with a mountain of gear to haul around.
Below is an (I think) comprehensive breakdown of the features, build details, and service history, but if anything is unclear, I’m more than happy to answer questions or do a facetime walkthrough.
Features / Amenities
- Living space is 5’11” at highest point
- Bed is a full sized, “slider style” convertible bed. The 5” thick memory foam mattress is composed of one large square piece that sits stationary on a platform and a shorter piece that allows it to convert between full-sized and retracted position where the rectangular piece functions as a backrest (see photos).
- Coated with pine green Raptor liner (body) and black Raptor liner (bumpers and fender flares). This bedliner coating is extremely rugged and provides excellent scratch / hail resistance.
- Vented window on sliding passenger door (by Motion Windows) to allow airflow while cooking / sleeping
- Weathertech window deflectors (to allow additional airflow when raining)
- 50qt ARB fridge (12V)
- GoalZero Yeti 1250 power station with numerous outlets (pictured), and a second battery daisy chained (total of 200 Ah)
- 2x160Watt Renogy Solar Panels
- Bi-directional MaxxAir roof vent
- WeBoost Drive Reach cell signal booster
- CampChef oven / 2 burner stove combo
- Upgraded aftermarket Bluetooth stereo and speakers
- Foldout table mounted to wall in front of side door to allow you to eat / work facing outdoors (see pics)
- Cassette-style RV toilet (never used)
- Foot-pump operated, brushed nickel sink (16”x16”) with 7gal fresh water / 7 gal wastewater
- Included: Mr. Buddy portable propane heater
- Included: set of tire chains
- Included: full-sized spare tire
- Included: fire extinguisher
- Included: if you happen to be a climber, I will throw in a Beastmaker 1000 hangboard with a removable mount designed to rest on the frame over the side door.
Build details
- Insulation: 2” polyiso foam board insulation in walls and ceiling, 1” foam board in floor, and gaps and cracks (including doors) filled with eco-friendly lambswool insulation.
- Wall between front / rear cabin insulated with 1” foam board insulation – this is an uncommon feature in vans (many opt for just a curtain), but it SIGNIFICANTLY increases the warmth in the rear cabin, as most heat escapes through the windshield.
- Flooring: vinyl plank
- Ceiling: tongue-and-groove cedar plank
- Walls lined with Noico sound-deadening material
- Storage: 3 very large “dresser” drawers under the bed facing the interior, 1 large “kitchen” drawer under the countertop, 1 “laundry hatch”, 3 XL drawers in the garage space on heavy duty sliders for holding gear, and 2 massive spaces on either side of the garage (left one is large enough to accommodate a mountain bike with wheels removed). 3 slanted cabinets which double as a backrest for sitting up in bed (see note on bed design under “features”)
- Lighting: 12volt strip lights
- I could go into pretty exhaustive detail here – happy to answer any questions if you’re interested.
Service History
- EGR valve and Intercooler replaced at 172k miles
- Cooper Discoverer AT3 Tires: front at 175k miles, rear at 190k miles (still a ton of tread left, getting great traction in several inches of snow)
- Front and rear struts replaced at 180k miles
- Glow plugs replaced at 189k miles
- Engine ground strap at 189k miles
- New battery at 189k miles
- Upgraded 150 amp alternator at 195k miles
- Turbocharger hose at 205k miles
- Oil / filters changed at regular intervals
- 207k: front rotors replaced
- 207k: front wheel bearings serviced
- 207k: front driver’s side ball joint replaced
- 207k: transmission serviced with new fluid, filter, etc.
- 207k: rear differential fluid serviced
Quirks
- Only notable thing is that it suffers from the common “door lock-unlock-lock” bug, wherein the van thinks a door is ajar, so you have to press the lock button twice to actually lock it. This is a safety feature Mercedez implemented to alert you that the door is ajar (or so the computer thinks), and is the result of the brass contact plates in the door frame not making clear contact with each other. You can replace these yourself relatively cheaply, or pay a Mercedez specialist a couple hundred dollars to do it for you. Or, like me and many other proud Sprinter owners, you can just live with it and get used to pressing the lock button twice :-)
- Front drivers seat has a tear in it (pictured)
- Very small dent on the hood near the drivers side headlight, which you can see in the pictures
- It’s a 2006, so if you look around you’ll find some minor bits of rust, but overall the body is in remarkable shape for a van of its age, and the bedliner has done an excellent job of protecting it against future wear.
Price
- Asking $25k, but may be open to reasonable offers.
- Local pickup in Boulder/Denver area only
- Cash only
