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Merc Sprinter conversion

cir287 · 2008-01-31 11:47:40

Hi there, I have just bought an ’03 Merc Sprinter LWB which I intend to convert to a camper and am looking for any advice / experiences of anyone doing similar. I intend to make a 6 berth, with 6 forward facing seats with (3 point) seatbelts for driving, which can then transform to a comfortable living area and a decent…

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#52 23-10-2008 10:21am

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Just thought I'll drag this up due to the sticky about self builds.

Had a quiet period in construction for a couple of months, but began to to build again in anger a couple of weeks ago. Gas locker is in, sofa frame is built and will be covered with ply this week.

Some new pictures added in:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hentunen/sets/72157603993538976/

To do asap:
=========
Ply the sofa frame
Construct a rear collapsible table
Construct the rear wall and insulate gas locker, insulate wheel wells
Finish kitchen unit (just an empty shell at the moment
Doors for toilet/wardrobe (have curtains for now)
Five doors still missing from overhead lockers

Far away in the future:
==================
Construct a heating system. Have already built cases for the two VW Golf heater matrices but need fit them and hoses. Didn't bother doing that yet as I could not make the built in Eberspächer to operate without the engine running yet. It should be possible but didn't work for me.

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#53 31-10-2008 5:46pm

cir287

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thanks samih, all looks like its coming on well. will try (again) to get a few pics myself. ours is coming along but a bit slower than yours I'm afraid.

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#54 06-11-2008 2:10pm

hynesie

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I've been meaning to post photos of our Sprinter conversion for sometime but have kept forgetting. We finished mid-August, about a week before we got on the ferry to France, so between VRT and all the last minute bits and pieces it was very tight time-wise.
Our conversion is very basic, just a kitchen with 2 hobs, a grill, sink & fridge. We have a massive double bed down the back and a rack for surfboards inside. It was great fun doing it and thanks to everybody here for their help in terms of answering a few questions and also for all the information ye have put online.
The next thing I have to do is a DIY paint job, as shown on a previous link on the forum, but I think I'll wait till next summer for that.

http://picasaweb.google.com/gearoidhynes/CamperVanConversion#

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#55 26-02-2009 10:20pm

kraash57

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Can i ask you how much the vrt charges were? Isnt the weight based on unladen weight? e.g over 3 tonne is 50euro, below 3 tonne is 13.5%??
Can you let me know about this? my email is cross.damien@gmail.com
I am just about to convert my van vrt wise to a camper from a commercial van. gonna cost me i think..........

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#56 27-02-2009 10:55am

OuterBombie

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Yeah Hynsie,

Would also be interesting in finding out how much VRT you ended up paying? or what did they estimate the OSMP of the finished van to be?

I'l planning on a very similar conversion in the near future.

Ta,

Ray.

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#57 27-02-2009 11:24am

merc camper

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I just brought my van to the tax office in Clondalkin they had a quick look at it, taxed it and changed the log book. Payed no VRT.

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#58 27-02-2009 1:15pm

kraash57

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merc camper wrote: »

I just brought my van to the tax office in Clondalkin they had a quick look at it, taxed it and changed the log book. Payed no VRT.

I think your definitely one of the lucky ones, lets hope i get the same luck!!
What forms did you have to fill out? RF111? Camper van declaration form?

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#59 08-03-2009 7:55pm

mac500

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any updates on the costs of changing the registration of a van like this to be registered as a campervan?

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#60 08-03-2009 8:01pm

hynesie

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mac500 wrote: »

any updates on the costs of changing the registration of a van like this to be registered as a campervan?

Ours cost 850 euro in VRT

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#61 18-03-2009 12:23am

nailer8

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I was wondering has anyone an idea what the Revenue might estimate the OSMP to be on a 1998 Sprinter MWB conversion.
It's a fairly high spec conversion recently done, with oven, hob, beds for 3, lcd TV, 2 windows, awning, shower and cassette toilet.

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#62 08-04-2009 4:42pm

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Happy days, our conversion is now officially a MTRCVAN :-), inspected and taxed by a nice lady in Naas, Kildare motor tax office yesterday. Grand total: €88 including motor tax for 12 months.

Basically they checked that we have enough standing room and sink/cooker. They noted the number of seats (went up from 3 to 5). Also existence of current insurance was verified. They took my VLC and said that the replacement will be posted back soon. Had to sign a form saying that all the equipment is as required by law.

The topic of weight was not raised, although I did make sure we were over the magical 3 tons with all the equipment onboard. Maybe the weight issue is only applicable on 1st licensing in Ireland and therefore does not apply on conversions of vans already registered in Ireland?

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#63 09-04-2009 9:23am

OuterBombie

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Congrats, great result.

Just in time for the lovely summer we are going to get (I hope). Hopefully you'll have many happy miles with the new wagon.

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#64 09-04-2009 11:41am

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Thanks OuterBombie, sure hope the same about the weather. So far this year has been pretty dry compared to 2007/8.

Hope I didn't jinx it now... :-) All the best for 2009!

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#65 02-06-2009 12:03am

keithm1

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class thread i really enjoyed reading mega kudos to you sir

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#66 02-06-2009 4:03pm

Sol_MB

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Hi,

Old thread I know, but if you are still around.

Great job, Had look at your pictures very nice and tidy.

Any Advice on installing windows?

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#67 03-06-2009 1:09pm

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Thanks for the comments. We have been using the van quite a bit now and are very happy with it. There is some work left to do, e.g. the bathroom and wardrobe doors are (still) missing. B&Q are supposed to have nice louvre doors in stock now in required sizes.

About windows: Seitz specs give the exact measurements required and the radius at the corners. It's important to round the corners to minimise chance of a stress fractures of the sheet metal and painting the edges is a must too. I found a jigsaw with 24 tpi (or more) blade a good tool to cut out the apertures. Some masking tape is good idea especially at the corners to help avoiding damage to the paintwork.

Again the instructions tell you the minimum/maximum depth of wall. A timber frame around the wall was used to bring up the depth. To ensure there are no leaks non-setting mastic should be used inside the rubber seal at the outer edges of outer window frames.

The only real issue with our conversion is that the rear windows are a tad too low. This is combination of rather small height of them and the fact that the rear sofa/bed had to be a quite high to accommodate gas locker underneath (after the pictures were taken I raised the floor at the rear by about 10 cm for better seat comfort). If the windows were 10 cm higher up or the sofa lower down they would be perfect. They are okish as they are but to look out when sitting at the table requires some bending down.

Hope this helps.

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#68 03-06-2009 10:32pm

Sol_MB

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It did,

Thank you.

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#69 24-08-2009 9:51pm

mjcb

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Hi all,

Looking for some advice...
Considering buying 2003/2004 Merc Sprinter LWB. Need to have seating for 4 while driving. How difficult is it to put in extra seats? Would prefer @captains chairs' or similar.

Cheers:)

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#70 26-08-2009 12:45pm

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Seating for 4, are you planning to keep the standard three seat in the front?

It's quite easy to fit extra seats, just bolt through the floor making sure there's nothing directly underneath before. I would recommend choosing seats with integrated seatbelts as there is no provision for seat belt anchoring points at the rear of Sprinter. Also IMO, to minimise flexing of the floor panel it's a good idea to spread the load at the mount points using extra plates of steel around them. Just make sure to treat the floor panel with rust proofing before bolting it all together.

I got my seat from a VW Caravelle, but it is not an ideal choice due to the low height if it. Also, one the seatbelts is not integrated. The Sevel based vans (Jumper/Ducato/Boxer) have nice height double bench, but I could not find any in good nick from breakers at the time I was hunting for one. Not sure about seabelts in them. Good thing about a double seat is that it can be used as extra seating while stationary.

Edit: typo

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#71 26-08-2009 6:20pm

mjcb

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Thanks SAMIH,

Ideally have 2 single seats up front including drivers & 2 or 3 bench seat behind with built in seat belts.
I will need 1 double bed, 2 singles (bunks if necessary), toilet & small cooking area.
Would LWB sprinter have enough room or should I look at other options?
Any good websites for plans etc?
I'm still at very early stages of planning, not sure yet if I would be better off buying completed project.

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#72 27-08-2009 9:51pm

Big_Mac

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SAIMH

What is the GVW of your converted sprinter? Have you taken it to the weighbridge?

Just wondernig on the initial unlaiden weight, weight of the conversion and the GVW of the van, as I'm thinking of converting one myself

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#73 27-08-2009 10:09pm

coldsurfer

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A massive thanks to Sami and Cir. I've been following this thread for awhile now but never took the time out to post - love yeer work! I've converted a 2004 311 and found your posts very helpful. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread and will try help out like ye did in future.
MJCB - 4 is comfortable in the sprinter, great van too. I'll post pictures of 4 berth soon.
Big Mac, i can't remember my unladen, but converted unladen was 3100 and GVM is 3500. for details on vrt see thread
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055586705&page=2

coldsurfer

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#74 28-08-2009 4:56pm

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Big_Mac wrote: »

SAIMH

What is the GVW of your converted sprinter? Have you taken it to the weighbridge?

Just wondernig on the initial unlaiden weight, weight of the conversion and the GVW of the van, as I'm thinking of converting one myself

Yeah, took mine to weighbridge in April and it was approx 2.8 tons when it was close to completion with empty tanks etc. I reckon it's approx 2.9 now when "complete".

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#75 28-08-2009 4:59pm

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coldsurfer wrote: »

A massive thanks to Sami and Cir. I've been following this thread for awhile now but never took the time out to post - love yeer work! I've converted a 2004 311 and found your posts very helpful. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread and will try help out like ye did in future.
MJCB - 4 is comfortable in the sprinter, great van too. I'll post pictures of 4 berth soon.
Big Mac, i can't remember my unladen, but converted unladen was 3100 and GVM is 3500. for details on vrt see thread
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055586705&page=2

coldsurfer

Great stuff Coldsurfer, hope you'll get good use for yours! Yeah, do post pictures.

BTW, got ours finally insured as a camper today with Dolmen. Off to France tomorrow.

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#76 28-08-2009 10:36pm

Big_Mac

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samih wrote: »

Great stuff Coldsurfer, hope you'll get good use for yours! Yeah, do post pictures.

BTW, got ours finally insured as a camper today with Dolmen. Off to France tomorrow.

Best of Luck on yer maiden trip.

2.8T. That should leave you will plenty of weight left over for packing stuff

Thanks guys - Appreciated.

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#77 02-04-2011 10:21pm

Torinfleming

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Hi there, I am in the process of trying to pick up a sprinter or vw lt to convert to a camper and would love to have a look at your final project and any plans ideas that you may have. Cheers for the help. Torin 0866494307

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