Sprinter Race rig

[Tonkaman]

About a month ago I picked up a Mercedes Sprinter van for our dirt bike adventure rig. It’s a 2011 crew van variant which is a 170” wheelbase and high roof. It comes with a factory rear seat, windows the rear seat, a full headliner, and rubber floor.

It was previously owned by a bicycle shop where it was used to transport bikes. They added galvanized sheet metal wall panels, and had one wall lined in bike racks.

 

[Tonkaman]

First thing I had to make this van feel more like mine and less like a shop van.

I stripped the old company logos off the sides and removed all the bike racks.

Anybody need a bike rack?

 

[Tonkaman]

This thing is no beauty queen, and needs some TLC. There are several areas with crappy paint corrections on the exterior. I’m not sure what these repairs are hiding underneath, but it’s something I’m nervous to find out.

There are also several spots that rust is beginning to pop out through the paint. Some of these spots are blistering up and some are just discoloration. I’ll likely end up doing some bodywork to stop the rust and cover with a vinyl wrap instead of repainting.

How concerned should I be about these rust spots? Should I sand them down and coat with a rust inhibitor?

 

[Tonkaman]

This thing is huge!! We have used it for 2 race weekends so far and it has been fantastic! We can load up all of the camp gear, riding gear, spare parts, and bike without making a dent in the cargo space.

Our first trip to mesquite for a weekend:


There’s so much space we can even pack the sewing machine! 😂 😂

 

[Tonkaman]

I learned real quick that this thing is a giant heat sink which makes for freezing cold nights. Black Friday deals gave me the motivation to do some sound dampening and insulation.

I removed the metal panel walls and headliner to start.

Progress so far:


I know most guys will say that I only need to cover 25%-50% and I understand the law of diminishing returns. That being said with this much sheet metal I think the typical install leaves too much room for noise to accumulate.

 

[1969honda]

Lizard skin ceramic on the rest? It's a bit spendy, but takes no room, adds almost no weight and might help? I'm seriously considering it under my megacab when I get it back. The factory from what I can tell (3rd owner) didn't insulate anything under the cab from the front seats back, and could use some serious noise/outside heat insulation. 🙄

 

[Tonkaman]

Lizard skin ceramic on the rest? It's a bit spendy, but takes no room, adds almost no weight and might help? I'm seriously considering it under my megacab when I get it back. The factory from what I can tell (3rd owner) didn't insulate anything under the cab from the front seats back, and could use some serious noise/outside heat insulation. 🙄

I already bought 250 sq/ft of butyl dampening from a company called B-quiet online. For the price it was worth finding out how effective it is. Reviews were good so fingers crossed 🤞

I’ve got 90 feet installed now which is only half the walls, and half the roof. So much more to do…

 

[N-Smooth]

Now I just wish you figured out a way to see how well it insulates from noise and cold. Like a before and after. It looks great!

 

[nnnnnate]

What's the drive like with fuel and whatnot in the passenger compartment? I drove with MFC's in the back of my cruiser that sealed well but I don't know anything about moto fuel containers. I also recognize that moto guys are weird and maybe its like cologne for you.

 

[johngottfredson]

What's the drive like with fuel and whatnot in the passenger compartment? I drove with MFC's in the back of my cruiser that sealed well but I don't know anything about moto fuel containers. I also recognize that moto guys are weird and maybe its like cologne for you.

I’m going to go with “pungent” for 1000, Alex. My buddies race van was a ripe cocktail of sweaty riding gear and fuel vapor. It was awesome.

 

[anderson750]

What's the drive like with fuel and whatnot in the passenger compartment? I drove with MFC's in the back of my cruiser that sealed well but I don't know anything about moto fuel containers. I also recognize that moto guys are weird and maybe its like cologne for you.

It’s only cologne if it is MRX02.

I have a wall in our van. It’s not air sealed, but completely closed of. Rarely can I smell gas. However when we were running a 50/50 mix of VP C12 & MRX02 that smell enveloped you…..but it smelled great.

 

[Tonkaman]

What's the drive like with fuel and whatnot in the passenger compartment? I drove with MFC's in the back of my cruiser that sealed well but I don't know anything about moto fuel containers. I also recognize that moto guys are weird and maybe its like cologne for you.

Like the other have said, you can’t escape the inevitable smells of fun. So far it hasn’t bothered me one bit. I imagine the giant amount of airspace in this thing vs your cruiser is what makes that possible. Many race vans have a partition wall to keep the “garage” separate from the passengers for this very reason. I don’t see it being an issue for me, but we will see if the wife agrees…

 

[J-mobzz]

Like the other have said, you can’t escape the inevitable smells of fun. So far it hasn’t bothered me one bit. I imagine the giant amount of airspace in this thing vs your cruiser is what makes that possible. Many race vans have a partition wall to keep the “garage” separate from the passengers for this very reason. I don’t see it being an issue for me, but we will see if the wife agrees…

Do a rear swing out with gas can racks! I’ll come help and bring a bender if you want.

 

[85CUCVKRAWLER]

TMR sells a swing out tire carrier pin/bushing that is the bees knees.

 

[moab_cj5]

Everyone should buy race fuel from me and get to experience the better smell a quality fuel exudes...😁

 

[anderson750]

Everyone should buy race fuel from me and get to experience the better smell a quality fuel exudes...😁

I have spent a lot of money on VP……..MRX02 is as sweet a smell as a can of SC1

 

[moab_cj5]

I have spent a lot of money on VP……..MRX02 is as sweet a smell as a can of SC1

Not to further hijack this thread, but hit me up if you want to try some Renegade SX2. I suspect it's a bit cheaper than VP and as good or better quality.

 

[anderson750]

Not to further hijack this thread, but hit me up if you want to try some Renegade SX2. I suspect it's a bit cheaper than VP and as good or better quality.

Fortunately the days of having to buy $30+ a gallon race fuel are in my past.

 

[moab_cj5]

Fortunately the days of having to buy $30+ a gallon race fuel are in my past.

Yea, race fuel isn't cheap! The SX2 is about $22 a gallon. Definitely not cheap to run.

 

[Tonkaman]

Do a rear swing out with gas can racks! I’ll come help and bring a bender if you want. View attachment 167095

Oh man I love the way that van has turned out. So freaking good looking.

I’m really loving the full 270° open doors so I don’t want to lose that. Maybe someday I’ll feel he need, but for now I’ll keep huffing fumes like a real man 😆