End of an Era - I Totaled 7.3 SMB

[MrHenrietta]

Hello fellow Sportsmobile enthusiasts. Not sure what I hope to gain from the post but wanted to share the story, nonetheless. I’ve been a Sportsmobile owner for well over decade. My first van was a 1999 7.3 RB50 Quigley SMB that I bought for $20k in rough shape. This was a dream come true for a poor kid in his 20’s. I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that van to get put back together and ready for adventure. We loved it but needed something bigger for our growing family. During Covid I sold that van for $38K to purchase my true dream van, a low milage 2003 7.3 hightop SMB from CA with every option imaginable. I put a UJOINT 4x4 kit on it and used it as intended. Our family loved this van and couldn’t imagine owning anything else. As Sprinters took over, we were grateful we had a van we could take the most desolate places and never let us down. I began to realize that our van was probably close to one of a kind. A real holy grail of 4x4 camper vans. In July I was unfortunately involved in an accident (my fault). Thank God everyone was OK. After months of back and forth with insurance it’s sadly been totaled and myself and my family is gutted. The damage the van body and 4x4 components are actually fine, but the frame damage is beyond repair so at this point the only option is a full frame replacement. I’m still working out details on buy back amount, but they have told me it’s probably going to be around $27K. At that price I’m just not sure it’s worth dealing with. I don’t know where to begin to find a frame and someone with the skills to tear down the interior and everything necessary to make that kind of repair. Again, I don’t know what to gain from making this post but wanted to share my story. Perhaps it’s time for us to throw in the towel and join the Sprinter world. If anyone has any similar stories or thoughts on Frame replacement, I’m all ears. If I do end up giving it up to insurance the van will be available at auction at some point. It’s probably the most equip 7.3 SMB you’ll find. I haven’t seen one for sale like this in years. Anyhow here’s some photos of my original van and the totaled one. Cheers.

[marret]

Well, sorry to hear, glad you all were/are ok and while I am sure it would be possible to swap, I have no recommendation for a shop. Member Pimpon pulled his body off suring his restoration.

Wish you the best.

[Twoxentrix]

Very unfortunate. I'm sure the Insurance news was/is a tough pill to swallow!
I'd give Chris at u-Joint a call and see if this may be a project he would entertain...I know his Team is capable since I've seen a body-off restoration taking place in his shop, and a beauty it was!

[marret]

Good idea Felix, and maybe UJOINT West in Denver.

[Big_ern_101]

Most any decent 4x4 shop or diesel shop can do a frame swap on an Econoline, its something like 6 bolts and 1 or 2 harnesses and the cooling package. In other words, not much. Even with the 4x4 there isnt a ton of diferences, cut the brackets off the old chassis, weld to the new chassis, repair or replace any damaged components, and you are back to the races.

Or if the chassis is only mangled on one of the 4 locations - which it looks like it is, you can stub it and be back with even less horsing around with it.

Have you taken it to a good old school frame guy for an opinion? Those guys are wizards.

Sprinters suck, transits suck, keep the Econoline.

[SteelheadJones]

Caveat on a frame swap is to look for one from a diesel or you’ll have to change fuel lines. Not impossible, but starting with a diesel donor would be a lot easier.

[blair]

Sorry about your accident. Glad no one was hurt. Does $27K sound kinda high for a salvage buyback? I wonder if that price can be negotiated. I hope that you are able to find a positive resolution.

[VanMiller]

Bummer. I know some happy Sprinter owners, and some not so happy. The problem being access to a shop when in more rural parts of the country, and the time it was taking to get them fixed.

In 2015 or so I was going to buy a Sprinter (back when Dodge was selling them), and my buddy that was a service manager at the local Dodge Sprinter shop talked me out of it. He said they have a lot of problems and he could not recommend them.

Maybe they are made better now?

[MrHenrietta]

Just heard back from insurance. They lowered the buyback to $16K. I'm going to get a second opinion on pulling the frame. I still think a full frame replacement is likely not worth the time, headache and money but if the frame can be pulled and the van repaired safe and a reliably I would be a happy camper.

[TheLetterJ]

Maybe it's just me, but from what I can see, your frame looks very salvageable. I think the taco'd aluminum bumper makes it look worse than it is.