2019 Mercedes Sprinter 4×4

We bought this van new in Dec 2019 as an empty cargo van. We had just retired and spent 3 years with the main build out, traveling with it as the build was in progress. We’re both former EMT’s so crash safety was our #1 priority. Everything is built with 1.5 inch 80/20 extruded aluminum and bolted to the van’s metal framing and/or floor. We did a lot of research, took our time, and did (I think) a high quality build. Every time we selected hardware and components I kept hearing the guy in Jurassic Park saying “Spared no expense”.

We’re both avid photographers and the design reflects our goals of multi week to month long road trips to places sometimes off road and off grid. We’ve had a great time doing just that. We recently bought a Winnebago EKKO to continue with a little more room and comfort. Now we hope someone else will enjoy this van as much as we have.

What Is Unique About This Build:

1. Modular, removable storage. Lots of organized storage for long trips. Removable to make space for larger items for specialized trips/use.
2. 4 removable heavy duty storage chests (Milwaukee Packouts on mounts). 
3. Large metal drawer system with 2 slide out drawers. This is attached to L-Track in a removable way. Frontrunner system originally designed for a Land Cruiser.
4. Durable. Built to handle rough roads and trails. Function over form. The best way to describe this build is over-built.

Sitting / Dining Area

1. Lagun table
2. Swiveling cab seats
3. Bench seat
4. Screen door in sliding door opening

Bed

1. RV queen size
2. Extruded aluminum side rails
3. USB charging ports – 2 on each side
4. Reading lights – 1 on each side with dimmer switch

Windows:

1. Stock window in the sliding door
2. CR Lawrence T-vent window on the driver side with screens 
3. 2 CR Laurence Bunk Windows with screens in the sleeping area.

Galley: 

1. Butcher block countertop. 1.5 inch birch.
2. Ruvati stainless steel 11 x 11 wide X 9 inch deep sink. Brushed nickel residential faucet with pull out sprayer.
3. Fresh water 5 gal, gray water 5 gal removable containers. SHURFLO water pump.
4. Isotherm Cruise Elegance 49 marine latching stainless steel refrigerator and freezer connected directly to DC (no inverter loss).
5. Microwave oven in overhead.
6. Induction cooktop – stored in drawer
7. 3 drawers total
8. Cabinet area which fits a trash container

Toilet: 

1. Thetford C402 Cassette Toilet. Electric flush (4 gal flush tank, 5 gal cassette capacity)
2. Cabinet which doubles as bench seat and step-up into bed. Also has small storage area for toilet paper / cleaning supplies / etc.

Storage:

1. Overhead bin with 2 flip up doors (baltic birch). 80/20 1.5 inch extruded aluminum frame bolted to van’s metal framing.
2. Shelf over the cab
3. 4 Milwaukee Packout multi-drawer storage chests on mounting plates, making them easily removable if you need the space for other purposes. 2 are accessible from the interior and 2 are accessible from the rear of the van.
4. Metal slide-out drawer system in rear (Frontrunner Drawer Kit -2 drawers, 250 lb per drawer. High-strength bearing slides allows each drawer to extend nearly 100% from the anchored base. Load deck on top with tie-down rails and tie-down rings).
5. Adventure Wagon Mule Bag Overhead Storage. Removable. There is also space on L-Track next to the existing bag to mount a second bag.
6. There is a small storage area in the toilet cabinet (about a cubic ft or so) for toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc.

Heating & Cooling Summary 

1. MaxxAir Deluxe roof vent fan with remote. 
2. Espar D2 diesel heater with optional altitude sensor. Thermostat reachable from the bed. 
3. CR Laurence vented/screened windows.
4. 3M Thinsulate (SM600L) Acoustic & Thermal Insulation (Walls, Ceiling, Doors)
5. Sound deadening matting walls, ceiling, and doors before insulation was installed.
6. Foam board residential insulation under plywood floor

Electrical: 

1. Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Lithium Portable Power Station with WiFi. 3000Wh. 2 AC outlets 1500W continuous, 3000W surge. The DC High Power Port (240W / 20A) is plugged into the van’s DC distribution system (2 Blue Sea DC Fuse Blocks). Charges from direct DC connection to alternator (Goal Zero YetiLink Vehicle Integration Kit). Alternately can be charged via shore power or plug in portable solar panel(s)
2. Blue Sea DC Fuse Blocks connect to: LED lighting, refrigerator, MaxxAir fan, Espar heater, toilet flush, USB charging ports, water pump
3. Stranded copper marine grade wiring throughout. All connections crimped and covered with heat shrink tubing

Lighting Summary: 

1. 4 zones with separate switches and dimmers: (1) Main overhead, (2) galley, (3) passenger side of bed, (4) driver side of bed.

Ceiling:

1. Tongue & groove cedar
2. LED lights
3. 3M Thinsulate (SM600L) Acoustic & Thermal Insulation
4. MaxxAir Deluxe roof vent fan with remote. 

Floor: 

1. PVC coin flooring over 1/2 plywood over 1/2 inch insulating foam board.
2. The floor has multiple strips of L-Track which are secured to the van’s metal floor with bolts and plus-nuts. Some of the L-Track is used to secure cabinetry, the rest is exposed for general purpose use. 

Exterior

1. Tow hitch with half-step, 7 pin electrical plug
2. BFG KO2 tires (stock size to match spare)
3. Black painted aluminum running boards