Vanimal replaced with a sprinter 4x4

[Fitz]

I haven't been in this particular situation but I have thought about it. If you can duplicate the situation, try using the handbrake to retard the rear wheel spin and see if you can force the front wheels to do more of the pulling.

[Pritikin]

Ah, manually do what the ETS does. Great idea for next time. (somehow I'm sure there will be a next time)

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Fitz

I haven't been in this particular situation but I have thought about it. If you can duplicate the situation, try using the handbrake to retard the rear wheel spin and see if you can force the front wheels to do more of the pulling.

I've even done this in my Bronco by loading my axles with regular brakes, not a parking brake. Adds enough 'resistance' to keep the drive axle from spinning. Not an easy feat in my Bronco to use both gas and brake in a manual transmission vehicle.


Herb

[Pritikin]

Would love some feedback on interior build out plan. Or at the least thanks for giving me a space to type out ideas.

We mostly dirtbag it for climbing/mtn biking/basecamp for day adventures etc. The van is occasionally emptied out for helping friends move. We usually cook outside and figure
setting up our propane stove indoors if it rains is sufficient.

After our recent safety awareness training (ha!) and driving our stock crew sprinter around for the last 3K miles, with friends in tow, we're thinking to keep the stock bench seat. This really impacts the design! The stock seat is 'easily' removable.

The basics will include:
CCV PH
electric, "artic" insulation, etc
D2 furnace, under passenger front seat
Swivel on passenger front seat
200W solar w/ batteries under the vehicle
LED lighting
PH of course
interior 2 zones w/ dimmers (living and storage space)
additional light under storage platform maybe; switch in back
USB/12V
USB mostly in living space
a couple of 'old school' 12V in storage area near water for future shower pump
(if we go that way; starting with detached manual pump shower)
Speakers in ceiling
we aren't big on

A simple galley with small water supply, drains out the floor
pop-up extension to make "desk"/countertop space toward bench seat
this ensures 3rd passenger on bench has leg room but gives us work space too
previously we had a single open sink we use for filling water bottles or brushing teeth
prefer "always available" rather than glass covered fold-up faucet etc
thus we're avoiding a builtin sink/stove combo
Norcold 2.7 fridge
Storage space for additional water *next to rear doors* (see diagrams)
We are picturing 5gallon jerry can on each side. Any concerns about this weight/location?
It has the benefit of being easy to access.
Approx ~1' deep floor to ceiling storage shelves in cargo area
not sure if i should go deeper. such a hard tradeoff.
these are basically shelves with "lips" that help hold stuff in
I'm thinking netting to help keep things contained rather than doors
on passenger side, near slider, access from front so living space has easy storage
Central space to have bicycle storage "sliding drawer" (future plan)

Platform storage/bed
This is on a track so it can be moved in 1" increments to any height
track means additional layers can be added
there is barely 5' behind the stock bench seat!
see diagram: "tailgate" style extension if necessary to use as sleeping space
this will be tight (only 2' from ceiling) but will probably work in a pinch

I've gone old school on organizing my thoughts. Next post should be hand drawn layouts.



(* edit: added fridge)

[Pritikin]

Hand drawn images

[Pritikin]

Why are images rotated?

[Pritikin]

That phase is done!

[Pritikin]

A couple of interior photos.

Super excited to start dialing it in.

[Otter]

Very nice! Would really like to see pics of how your water system worked out and more of your platform details. This is a great transformer build!

[Pritikin]

The galley is removable (and I can access the original mounts for an addition factory bench seat or even move my bench seat up if I want). So I aimed for “simple” on the water system.

One 20L supply. Drains out the bottom. I have room on the right side for either an internal grey water or — more likely — my swap in secondary supply tank.

I wired power to the back and those storage cabinets are intended for a mr heater camp shower setup but that will be part of the “dialing in”. Once I get there I expect to carry at least one more water back there as well.