Moto Van Build!

ridinbeast932
Edited Date/Time 12/8/2020 9:35am
I've been drooling over everyone elses van builds for years and finally got started on my dream van so figured I'd post a thread to update as I progress! Picked up this 2020 Mercedes 144 high roof diesel Sprinter about a month and a half ago. Ironically, I took a hard digger at the track 2 days prior to purchasing it. Between a mangled bike and messed up shoulder it's been nice being able to put in some time on the van!

First day home!




The stock floor made for a great template to cut out some 1/2" subfloor panels and 1/2" foamboard insulation.







Snagged the clamping wheel chocks on sale for $57/ea. Don't believe they are going to be my permanent solution as I'd like to have the open floor space. Works for now though, just needed to be track ready!




RB Components 22 gal water tank installed. A bit pricey but fit like a glove. Would buy again!






My next mini project is to mount an electric pressure washer up underneath the van. I started by removing the pump/motor housing from the frame and pulling the top cover off. I'll be extending the wires for the switch a few feet so I can mount the switch inside near the back doors.







That's it for now but stay tuned, my front hallway has been non-stop full of boxes and I have some more goodies on the way for the electrical system! Open to advice/critiques as well, don't be shy!
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ge217
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ge217 10/20/2020 11:42am
10/20/2020 11:42am
I have a 144 also. Have any pics with the rear doors closed with bikes in it?
1
Premix4Life
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Premix4Life 10/20/2020 11:44am
10/20/2020 11:44am
bike wash setup is awesome. following the build!
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JBlain619
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JBlain619 10/20/2020 11:56am
10/20/2020 11:56am
ridinbeast932 wrote:
I've been drooling over everyone elses van builds for years and finally got started on my dream van so figured I'd post a thread to update...
I've been drooling over everyone elses van builds for years and finally got started on my dream van so figured I'd post a thread to update as I progress! Picked up this 2020 Mercedes 144 high roof diesel Sprinter about a month and a half ago. Ironically, I took a hard digger at the track 2 days prior to purchasing it. Between a mangled bike and messed up shoulder it's been nice being able to put in some time on the van!

First day home!




The stock floor made for a great template to cut out some 1/2" subfloor panels and 1/2" foamboard insulation.







Snagged the clamping wheel chocks on sale for $57/ea. Don't believe they are going to be my permanent solution as I'd like to have the open floor space. Works for now though, just needed to be track ready!




RB Components 22 gal water tank installed. A bit pricey but fit like a glove. Would buy again!






My next mini project is to mount an electric pressure washer up underneath the van. I started by removing the pump/motor housing from the frame and pulling the top cover off. I'll be extending the wires for the switch a few feet so I can mount the switch inside near the back doors.







That's it for now but stay tuned, my front hallway has been non-stop full of boxes and I have some more goodies on the way for the electrical system! Open to advice/critiques as well, don't be shy!
Where did you get the bike shoes for $57?? Can't wait to see the pressure washer set up!

The Shop

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ridinbeast932 10/20/2020 12:41pm
10/20/2020 12:41pm
ge217 wrote:
I have a 144 also. Have any pics with the rear doors closed with bikes in it?
No, but I will try to get some this weekend. I staggered the chocks and left plenty of space behind the wheels for gas jugs, stands, etc.
ridinbeast932 10/20/2020 12:46pm
10/20/2020 12:46pm
ridinbeast932 wrote:
I've been drooling over everyone elses van builds for years and finally got started on my dream van so figured I'd post a thread to update...
I've been drooling over everyone elses van builds for years and finally got started on my dream van so figured I'd post a thread to update as I progress! Picked up this 2020 Mercedes 144 high roof diesel Sprinter about a month and a half ago. Ironically, I took a hard digger at the track 2 days prior to purchasing it. Between a mangled bike and messed up shoulder it's been nice being able to put in some time on the van!

First day home!




The stock floor made for a great template to cut out some 1/2" subfloor panels and 1/2" foamboard insulation.







Snagged the clamping wheel chocks on sale for $57/ea. Don't believe they are going to be my permanent solution as I'd like to have the open floor space. Works for now though, just needed to be track ready!




RB Components 22 gal water tank installed. A bit pricey but fit like a glove. Would buy again!






My next mini project is to mount an electric pressure washer up underneath the van. I started by removing the pump/motor housing from the frame and pulling the top cover off. I'll be extending the wires for the switch a few feet so I can mount the switch inside near the back doors.







That's it for now but stay tuned, my front hallway has been non-stop full of boxes and I have some more goodies on the way for the electrical system! Open to advice/critiques as well, don't be shy!
JBlain619 wrote:
Where did you get the bike shoes for $57?? Can't wait to see the pressure washer set up!
Motosport: https://www.motosport.com/motosport-clamping-wheel-chock

Thanks! Excited to see how it turns out!
7eleven
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7eleven 10/20/2020 12:47pm
10/20/2020 12:47pm
Panel those walls asap, before you dent it from the inside!
4
Shapi
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Shapi 10/20/2020 2:27pm
10/20/2020 2:27pm
Awesome. I have the water tank and wanted to do the same thing with respect to mounting a small electric washer under the van. How will you power it? I got an extra battery box, but not sure how I am going to do the inverter and wiring. Those washer's take a lot of amps, and so I am a bit worried about the strain on the alternator during a recharge/driving after burning down the battery. Solar for me isn't an option unfortunately...Please keep updating!
1
ridinbeast932 10/20/2020 2:42pm
10/20/2020 2:42pm
Shapi wrote:
Awesome. I have the water tank and wanted to do the same thing with respect to mounting a small electric washer under the van. How will...
Awesome. I have the water tank and wanted to do the same thing with respect to mounting a small electric washer under the van. How will you power it? I got an extra battery box, but not sure how I am going to do the inverter and wiring. Those washer's take a lot of amps, and so I am a bit worried about the strain on the alternator during a recharge/driving after burning down the battery. Solar for me isn't an option unfortunately...Please keep updating!
I plan to use my Honda EU2000i generator to power the pressure washer. Not worth the battery bank and inverter required to try to run it that way, like you said just too much draw.

I have a cutting edge power solar generator on the way to use with 1 100ah lithium battery for the 12V side. Water pump between tank and pressure washer. My only concern is the duty cycle on the pump...says 5 min on 10 min off. So if I'm blasting the pressure washer 30 mins at a time idk what'll happen. Have a .75L accumulator to install but thinking of going with something bigger. If anyone has experience with a similar setup please chime in!
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ridinbeast932 10/20/2020 2:46pm
10/20/2020 2:46pm
Herb Eaversmells wrote:
I’m just starting. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/20/455180/s1200_DA0C8AF1_DD27_4E49_BDC1_316F4E5B4827.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/20/455177/s1200_EAA9285E_A13E_4E5A_89FF_EDD1D4B49B63.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/20/455175/s1200_67F71FC2_E3BA_4202_96B8_2542F1E584E0.jpg[/img]
I’m just starting.





Nice, jealous of the color! What kind of rear step is that? I need one!
1
M1000
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M1000 10/21/2020 9:49pm
10/21/2020 9:49pm
Can I load 10’ sled in those (120”) bed? Mountain sled.
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dboivin
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dboivin 10/21/2020 9:59pm
10/21/2020 9:59pm
M1000 wrote:
Can I load 10’ sled in those (120”) bed? Mountain sled.
i always wanted to do my sled in one of these but the lack of 4x4 is a huge no go. we are constantly in 4x4 conditions when travelling to and from....and just in the parking lot of launch point will eat a 2x4
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Dirtysmile56 10/21/2020 11:00pm
10/21/2020 11:00pm
Is it possible to build an over the cargo area bed in a 144"? I have been looking at vans and it seems you have to go with the longer version to get the room.
ridinbeast932 10/22/2020 4:40am
10/22/2020 4:40am
M1000 wrote:
Can I load 10’ sled in those (120”) bed? Mountain sled.
I think the bed length is about 10.5' so it'd be a tight fit!
ridinbeast932 10/22/2020 4:42am
10/22/2020 4:42am
M1000 wrote:
Can I load 10’ sled in those (120”) bed? Mountain sled.
dboivin wrote:
i always wanted to do my sled in one of these but the lack of 4x4 is a huge no go. we are constantly in 4x4...
i always wanted to do my sled in one of these but the lack of 4x4 is a huge no go. we are constantly in 4x4 conditions when travelling to and from....and just in the parking lot of launch point will eat a 2x4
You can get them in 4X4. ~ $10k option. I wanted it but not worth the few beach trips I'd do each year.
ridinbeast932 10/22/2020 4:46am
10/22/2020 4:46am
Dirtysmile56 wrote:
Is it possible to build an over the cargo area bed in a 144"? I have been looking at vans and it seems you have to...
Is it possible to build an over the cargo area bed in a 144"? I have been looking at vans and it seems you have to go with the longer version to get the room.
The 144 high roof is the same height as the 170 high roof. I plan to make some sort of bed platform that I can raise up when I have bikes in there and then lower down when they're out.

Pit Row

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ridinbeast932 10/22/2020 5:29am
10/22/2020 5:29am
Got some more work on the pressure washer setup done last night. 12V pump is mounted and I'm building a "box" to house the pressure washer and accumulator. The barb on the left will connect to pump supply, barb on the right will go into the van for aux water, sink, etc. Any thoughts on that setup? Was really hoping to have the accumulator in line with the pressure washer prior to both the washer and the aux branch but I had some space constraints I'm trying to stick to.




1
kNewc
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kNewc 10/22/2020 6:31am
10/22/2020 6:31am
You guys make me feel broke AF. Sweet ass vans!
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Pirate421
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Pirate421 10/24/2020 2:33pm
10/24/2020 2:33pm
Nice! I just picked up my new to me van today. Did a little test fit with the bike and ordered a bolt it on kit. So pumped to have it, mines a 12 passenger because it’s got to haul my wife and kid safely and legally. Everybody in the neighborhood jokes about it but they all want to ride in the party bus haha
GeorgiePorgie 10/24/2020 5:16pm
10/24/2020 5:16pm
kNewc wrote:
You guys make me feel broke AF. Sweet ass vans!
Vet life is rewarding. You’ll be elderly soon enough.
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Herb Eaversmells
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Herb Eaversmells 10/25/2020 5:46am
10/25/2020 5:46am
Herb Eaversmells wrote:
I’m just starting. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/20/455180/s1200_DA0C8AF1_DD27_4E49_BDC1_316F4E5B4827.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/20/455177/s1200_EAA9285E_A13E_4E5A_89FF_EDD1D4B49B63.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/20/455175/s1200_67F71FC2_E3BA_4202_96B8_2542F1E584E0.jpg[/img]
I’m just starting.





ridinbeast932 wrote:
Nice, jealous of the color! What kind of rear step is that? I need one!
Vannon (San Luis Obispo)

https://vannon.com/collections/parts/products/bumper-step
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Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 10/25/2020 8:17am
10/25/2020 8:17am
You need a air tank and a Train horn for the idiots on I 40 I 85 or you name the interstate down there
Pirate421
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Pirate421 10/25/2020 4:56pm
10/25/2020 4:56pm
Sorry to derail the thread but have you or anyone on here with vans figured out replacement tires for the sprinter or transits? Seems like the research I’m doing, that they require a very high load rating (121? For my transit) and there is some possible issues with tire shops denying all terrain tire installs. Something about most of the AT tires available are for a much lower load rating (106-111) and it’s a liability deal.

Any input or recommendations from the board? I have. 148” lwb transit stock height and tires but in need of some newer and better rubber.
FGR01
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FGR01 10/25/2020 6:19pm
10/25/2020 6:19pm
M1000 wrote:
Can I load 10’ sled in those (120”) bed? Mountain sled.
I don't know that I'd really want a sled full of snow melting inside my van.
1
SLAPAHO
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SLAPAHO 10/25/2020 8:42pm
10/25/2020 8:42pm
Pirate421 wrote:
Sorry to derail the thread but have you or anyone on here with vans figured out replacement tires for the sprinter or transits? Seems like the...
Sorry to derail the thread but have you or anyone on here with vans figured out replacement tires for the sprinter or transits? Seems like the research I’m doing, that they require a very high load rating (121? For my transit) and there is some possible issues with tire shops denying all terrain tire installs. Something about most of the AT tires available are for a much lower load rating (106-111) and it’s a liability deal.

Any input or recommendations from the board? I have. 148” lwb transit stock height and tires but in need of some newer and better rubber.
Yes, they do require a higher load rated tire. Toyo makes the Open Country A/T in the higher range, so does Falken on the Wildpeak AT3.... I've had both on the Transit. Mine started out as a 10 Passenger van, thus the high load rating. Get the right load range and save yourself a headache....

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