Stealing from the Wisdom of Those Who Came Before and New Build

[Thistle]

Long time browser of this forum who just received word that our new low roof Sprinter 4x4 is at the factory in the states! It has been a long time coming – ordered it Feb 2017 so it will be 15 months getting to SMB (should be there early May). Thanks to the members of this forum for all your posts and useful information – a special thanks to Fitz (your build thread is packed with incredibly useful information), Snowy (saw your vehicle at SMB Austin last year), and WrinkledPants and BackCountryGuy (your posts and work with SMB on Lithium battery systems was very helpful). We stole a lot of ideas from you and the rest of the forum - you guys all rock!
There are two of us with two dogs and we are based out of Colorado but spend a lot of time in Carmel, CA and some in the SF Bay Area, and plan to enjoy meandering between the two areas frequently. So trips throughout the Southwest and all over the West, up to Canada and Alaska, Great Lakes, perhaps Baja, and all over the States. As part of our traveling with two dogs we need the ability to leave them in the vehicle for a couple of hours so air conditioning and lots of power is critical (thanks again to WrinkledPants for his early pushes of SMB to go Lithium, and to BackCountryGuy for all the posts and paving the way).
We had a couple of hour phone call with Brian at SMB going over our build a couple of days ago – great guy, very knowledgeable and helpful – which is scheduled to complete by late June to early July. (As we were talking through some of the choices, Brian made a comment about just like Fitz – and yup we stole shamelessly – and that SMB works with Fitz all the time. We suggested Fitz should be on their payroll but….). Here is some of the build information. Please feel free to question choices, make recommendations and suggestions!

Ordered From Mercedes

Base Order
Model – Cargo van
Weight = 2500 (8,550GVW)
Wheelbase = 144”
Engine = 4x4
Roof = X30 (4x4)
Packages
C03 Active Safety Plus Package
F01 Swivel Seat Package (Fleet Only)
X07 High Idle Variable Package
X30 Low & High Range 4x4 Package
Paint 1 : 701 Pebble Gray,
Upholstery : VY2 Tunja Black Upholstery, Options/Wood Trims
AR2 Axle Ratio 3.92
CT1 Rear Spring Vibration Absorbers
D93 Deletion of Cargo Partition (Standard)
E40 Trailer Hitch - Wire Harness w/7 Pin Connector
EN7 Audio 15 (Standard)
FJ1 I/P Hinged Lid-Center Stack Bin
FZ9 Keys - Two Additional Masters
H04 Heat Insulation for Front Compartment
H15 Heated Co-Driver Seat
H16 Heated Driver Seat
H22 Defroster - Rear Window
J51 Fuel Gauge Optimized for AUX. Fuel Tap
L16 Fog Lamps
L65 Lamps - Cargo Compartment
LB9 Illuminated Exits
MS1 Cruise Control
N62 Bracket for aux. Alternator
R98 Rims painted Jet Black
T12 Sliding Door - Two Stage Opening
T16 Sliding Door- Right Side (Standard) T74 Assist Handle - Sliding Door
V93 Wood Floor Delete
VA7 Storage Net in Hinged RR Doors
W17 Fixed Window Right Side Front
W61 Windows in Tailgate/Rear Door

SMB Build
1) RB150S
2) Windows: rear doors, over counter on driver side (openable awning), on sliding door, rear passenger side (openable slider)
3) Swivel seats driver and passenger
4) Pop top penthouse electric, painted to match van color. Still deciding on glossy finish to match the vehicle paint or more durable textured Lin x style.
5) Extra insulation (extreme weather)
6) Diesel powered hot water and heat (D5)
7) No propane
8) No built in stove. Will use portable induction stove (inside) and Partner propane (outside).
9) No microwave
10) Refrigerator – either Norcold or Isotherm. Probably Norcold due to more maintenance technicians and larger freezer.
11) Back up camera. Standard for now.
12) Standard shelf/cupboard above driver side counter area
13) Tie downs for extra cargo in open space. Will finalize upon pick up.
14) Removable galley cabinet on passenger side. With flip down counter on outside facing side and flip up counter on side facing passenger seat.
15) Window tint on rear doors, and side windows.
16) Window shades.
17) Window black out shades for back and sides, front window and front driver and passenger windows.
18) Dual USB charging ports throughout, with no indicator light.
19) LED reading lights on all four corners of sofa bed.
20) LED reading lights both back sides of penthouse bed.
21) LED reading lights for both front seats (driver and passenger)
22) Exterior light passenger rear with separate switch
23) Lights in back bumper
24) All lights LED
25) Pre-wiring for portable winch in rear
26) Pre-wiring for winch in front
27) Switch for rear bumper flood lights.
28) Light bar in front with dash switch.
29) Exterior shower driver side back with exterior light above separately switched.
30) Dash board switches for front and back winches, front light bar, rear flood lights, air compressor
31) 110 power outlet passenger side back
32) Wiring heavy duty so if increase battery and wattage no new wire would need to be pulled.
33) Wiring for back speakers but not installing yet. Holding options open for separate install without rewiring.
34) External outlet for plugging in standalone solar panels. Driver side, outside frame.
35) 2 roof mounted solar panels. Still debating flexible 100 watt or 160 watt fixed.
36) 600 watts of Lithium battery
37) Air conditioner rear Danhard (not roof mounted).
38) Internal temperature remote alert system.
39) Built in air compressor. Probably smaller without tank but still deciding.
40) Aluminess Rear tire mount
41) Aluminess Rear galley box. Deluxe box with rails with ability to mount 1 gallon Rotopax to back.
42) Locked storage (XL) where spare tire usually is (under floor) with drain plug
43) 17 Gallon water tank that is easy to fill from inside using portable water containers (e.g., Rotopax)
44) Thule full length rails (with ability to add cross bars back middle and front for canoe/kayak)
45) Loncoin floor.
46) Black LineX rocker panels and fenders. Still deciding on hood cover or not, and if so wrapped or sprayed.
47) Black Trasheroo mounted on spare tire.
48) Porta Potty (under counter storage)

Post-SMB Delivery
1) Aluminess front bumper with winch.
2) Aluminess skid plates
3) Suspension upgrade – Fox

Again thanks to all of you for your help – even though you did not know you were helping, and feel free to suggest and comment. We would love your feedback and wisdom. Really looking forward to becoming proud owners of a Sportsmobile!