LOL, I'm glad I'm not the only one that has looked at jet engines on eBay! Radials too.
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LOL, I'm glad I'm not the only one that has looked at jet engines on eBay! Radials too.
I haven't had much interest in the car. Go figure, they only sold about 2 of these cars in wagon form when they were new, so it stands to reason that people are just as disinterested in buying one used. I have had two potential buyers and both were unable to get financing due to being overextended.
I do have a new vehicle on order though. I bought a Mercedes Sprinter van, short wheelbase, high roof for a DIY camper conversion. Powertrain is the newer 2.1L diesel with twin turbos and a 7 speed transmission. Most owners get around 24 MPG in highroof form.
This is the basic color/wheelbase/configuration I ordered, although it arrives as a bare carcass of a van.
https://instagram.fsnc1-2.fna.fbcdn....13606133_n.jpg
That's awesome, Ken! I'd really like to get one eventually as well, especially if I ever end up on doing another long road trip. I'm definitely curious to see what mods you end up doing.
Work bought the Freightliner version with 4x4 and v6 diesel for one of fiber optic guys. He loves it. We'll probably be getting another one or two. The AWD Chevy Express vans we have are showing their age, and the Sprinters are the only full-size 4x4 vans on the market now.
Hi Dan,
The van shows up bare, so there will be a lot of work involved. The build order goes something like this: Install Maxxair roof vent fan, insulate ceiling walls and floor, add seating, bed, diesel heater, cabinets w/refrigerator & sink along with associated plumbing, electrical including lighting, batteries, inverter and solar. Last is all the finish work, flooring, walls and ceiling, awning, decent tires.
The Sprinter is surprisingly fun to drive. You sit higher up than the 4Runner and the front windshield glass is huge, so you feel like you have an endless panorama view. It will take me a while to get used to a diesel motor...I'm so used to the instant response of the electric Leaf and the supercharged 4Runner. Diesels just aren't that way.
Sprinters have wonderful aftermarket support, so everything you could possibly need for an RV conversion is available. Because I have limited time to work on it there will be some parts (like the cabinetry) that I choose to buy rather than build.
I still can't post photos until I find a new place to host my images (google photos took away the ability to post pictures in a forum), but this is along the lines of a layout I am considering. https://goo.gl/photos/RzC323qY9rPUJB6Q9
The driver and passenger seats swivel around to create a dinette for four up front. The bed is in 3 panels and folds out from the rear. I bought the short Sprinter so there is no room to leave the bed deployed and still have enough space to be comfortable.
Here are a few videos so you can see the layout some people have done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43D6xhUpVo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9TJXBN2T-g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqlhVPyClJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCSEq6QSssU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXA9kh4Zbu4
I fully encourage you to get one! 2017 will be the last year they build them in Germany as Mercedes Benz is building a new factory in South Carolina where future Sprinters will be built. Not sure I would want one of those until they've done significant production at that plant.