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Old 09-20-2016, 04:14 PM   #1
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HELP! Sprinter 4x4 or SMB Classic?

I will soon be placing a deposit with SMB West for an order. I am as yet undecided between a Classic and a Sprinter RB-High Roof (265/70r17 KO2s, 4.18 gear ratio, dual/low range, lockers-if available). I have an extensive list of pros and cons for each vehicle. The one variable that I don't have a clear understanding of is this: If I went with the Sprinter, how much am I limiting the off-road destinations I am able to navigate and reach? In other words, how much more off-road performance does the Classic have and what places could I get to in the Classic that I couldn't reach in the Sprinter?

In the YouTube done by the British guy who travels the Mojave Road in the PH Sprinter while Alan takes the Classic, Alan states that he revised his estimate and stated the Sprinter could go 85% of the places the Classic could reach. In that there are millions of places you can reach via paved roads in both vehicles, there isn't enough point of reference.

Using the Cruise Moab - Trail rating system what level of difficulty can each vehicle attain? Can you name a few amazing and spectacular destinations I could reach in the Classic that I would be denied in the Sprinter? This is the huge nagging question that I need answered before I decide.

Thanks,
Tom

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Old 09-20-2016, 04:22 PM   #2
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Your biggest limitation will be you.. Are you an experienced off road driver?

As for the Moab rating system, looks like Sprinter would be limited to Level 4 (if not level 3) based on tire size and/or ground clearance. Classic would not.
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Old 09-20-2016, 05:55 PM   #3
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Well they didn't do the complete entire Mojave Trail in that video and the weather was good. Trails often change year to year so a more equipped vehicle is a better bet. The Classic Ford SMB conversion has a sharp turning radius... not sure about the 4x4 Sprinter. I saw a car at Leavitt Lake once. Not that a Sprinter can't do that trail but the car had a lot of bottom damage. If it had rained that car would have been stuck there until things dried out. I've had rock crawlers tell me that I would never make it on some of the trails that were fairly easy IMO so a Sprinter is probably more capable than what they look like.
It's up to you whether or not you want to sacrifice space for a more suitable off road vehicle. Depends on what you really want to run. I can't say how stout the Sprinter 4x4 system and frame flex is compared to the Ford cutaway.
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Old 09-27-2016, 09:57 AM   #4
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These mentioned 85% is just Marketing! As they do ned the new customers willing toby the new Plattform, obviously the Sprinter gets an "almost identical" capabilities.

What does percentage mean?

Keep in mind that tires and lockers make a huge difference when it greets rough. Lime MTs instead of ATs , though with their cons also of curse.
Also a set of Sand ladders gets you out of tricky situations.
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Old 09-27-2016, 01:17 PM   #5
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No lockers on Sprinters.
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