We are Emily and Dan, a goal oriented couple that have wandering souls, seeking a different path from a life of suburbia and using a van to find it. Join us on our journey as we outfit our 2019 Sprinter Van from the ground up and travel where ever our hearts lead.
Check our Blog at ramblingambition.com where we go into detail on our build steps and installations
Follow us on Instagram @rambling_ambition
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Nice video! Thanks for posting
Thanks and thanks for watching!
Did the car raise EGR fault code? My 3.0 Sprinter lacks power in cold weather when the engine is cold. No error codes. The workshop couldn't find a thing. EGR is one culprit I'm suspecting, might open it up before next winter.
I did not get a CEL for it, I started noticing some power loss and shuttering and knowing the egr is a known problem I just cleaned it and it made all the difference, just moved to colorado from virginia this spring and the van did great during the 1700 mile trip west
Any more links to the extended brake lines? Thanks for the video. Great help!’
Do you do this for work ?? Can you help me install a floor into my van ?
I am sorry, this is just a hobby for me, I enjoy doing projects like this but I also have a full time job and I just work on the van when I have time but there are plenty of folks out there that do this for folks working on their van and there are lots of diy kits you can order and install yourself that takes the guess work out of all the cutting and measuring
How many feet of cable did you order?
I ordered 10’ of red and black each to make sure i had plenty so it could be tucked nicely, made my own ends so that helps worked out perfectly I think the way i routed everything it took about 9 for both legs
wow! the boards fit perfectly.
Yes they did I was very pleased with how it turned out
Hey Dan did you get 1/2 lift on rear?
I did get that boost empty but once built it settled back down, we eventually switched to an agile offroad rip kit and it is amazing
Hey Dan what’s the best way to Jack up back of van and put in supports?
@SteveMessina1 I used the trailerhitch and then used jack stands to support the frame while i added them
Any images or videos of what the van looks like with the new tires? What size wheels and tires did you go with? Whats ize wheel and tire can you fit? Sorry for all the questions :)
Nothing yet, I ended up moving to colorado from virginia so we left the old tires on it for the trip, we plan on putting on the same size as the spare which is a 265/75/16 they fit good with the lift and we are sticking with the stock mercedes steel rims, thats the biggest tire we can fit on the van without fender trimming. If you have the rip kit on a 4x4 or awd sprinter i think it can take a 285
@@ramblingambition I drove to Colorado from NJ 13 years ago with just my snowboard, a bag of clothes and my car. I never went back lol. Still love it. How close to the stock Mercedes 4x4 does the kit get you? I don't love how tucked in my sprinter 1500 wheel base is. Im looking for something more aggressive.
@JohnDrach thats awesome, I had planned to move out to colorado in the early 90’s after college and well it took me 30 years to make but I love it out here, the folks from agile told me the rip kit and i got the 5400lb rear springs, would bring the van up to stock 4x4 height and It has even loaded
Question: did you attach the wire that was clipped behind the OEM bumper to the Scout bumper or was it tied to something else? Thanks.
The wire was tied to a piece of front clip so I just re- fastened it there in about the same position that it was on the factory bumper but not to the scout bumper
Base Unit came in last night ... wish me luck!
Awesome and congrats, you will find it is easier than you think!
@@ramblingambition threw a vid up of the install. Tell me what you think 🤷🏼♂️
Thank you!
Absolutely
Should probably cool the van first with its AC then have the Wave maintain that temperature..
I try to do that but the front ac in the van will only do so much to cool down the back too. The air volume in the 170 vs the heating surfaces of the van sides and roof even with good insulation is a loosing battle but it does take the edge off for sure to do it that way
Hi 1Cannot find video for installing the box I was hoping you have done it. Thanks
Hey sorry, i did not get around to filming it, I took a job in colorado and just moved back in april and am still getting settled, once i am i will take a video of how i installed them, it was really easy, just line the boxes up with the mounting holes on the rack mount and put bolts through, i used butyl tape to seal everything and its water tight! Stay tuned thanks
Thanks
i've got a 2003
With all the emmissions changes since the early 2000’s not sure how your engine would look regarding the egr if it even has one
@@ramblingambition it has one and i've got lots of black smoke on acceleration. would like to know how to "clean" it.
@michaelcarman-yv9tm if you can get to it easily, it should come out and it just needs to be cleaned real good with parts or carb cleaner, just get the gaskets for it, black smoke under acceleration means you have excess fuel that isnt getting burned off not sure if the egr is causing that though, have you noticed your fuel mileage is bad and lack of power?
@@ramblingambition actually my mpg is 25 consistently. thanks for your response. she goes into limp mode sometimes. i am replacing the tranny electronics board to see if that helps the limp thing. i've seen that an air filter or egr can cause the black smoke. but she runs real nice usually. i will try cleaning the egr as you say. thanks again
@michaelcarman-yv9tm wow 25mpg is great. Good luck!
Question: Are the longer brackets provided by Backwoods needed for all Sprinters or only to specific year model? The reason for this question is the installation video by Backwoods didn’t mention this. Thanks.
So my van is a 2 wheel drive van and the longer brackets are for the 2 wheel drive vans since they dont have the cradle that holds the front drive axle. I guess most people buy the 4x4 versions and their bumpers fit both models so the longer brackets make up for the front end structure difference in the 2 wheel drive version. Hope that helps
Thank you. That’s helpful to know. I was a little taken back by the longer brackets.
@bhduong2008 good, yeah I can see how that would be, when I first put the bumper up to test fit it i had a small panic attack because the bottom of the bumper attachments we super short then I unpacked the drop brackets for the subframe and took a deep breath of relief, but for the 4x4 you dont need them and I looked up the kits and they are not included in hardware kit for the 4x4
My dealer said 20 Thousand miles! WOW
My goodness thats is not a recommendation I would follow!
20,000 miles is correct, but I personally change mine at 10,000 as done in video.
Randomly found your channel. I just installed the Aluminess ladder and tire rack yesterday and editing the vid tomorrow. I subscribed and will be catching up on your earlier videos this week!
Nice, and thanks for stumbling on the channel. I am a huge fan of their products
Good video, but I didn't get was it a 0W30 weight or what you used?
Thank you depending on climate you can use 0w30 or 5w30 i think most use 5w30 full synthetic with the mercedes spec 229.51 and .52
Thank you.
Thanks for checking out the video and the channel
What size power port did you use? I need to wire up same winch in my Sprinter.
@VMITazman it was a 3/8 post sized power post from blue sea
this is a v-6 2021 4 cylinder is in the back driver side us version hard to get to . look up the video on right side drive lot easer than left drive.
Yes this video is for the v6 diesel. The 4 cyl turbo should not have the same sooting issues based on its improved design
Thank you for posting the video! I have a 2019 sprinter that was formerly an Amazon van and the 3 things you mentioned are what has been annoying me. I was concerned about losing the backup camera but it sounds like an easy fix.
Thanks for watching, yes the camera issue is easy to fix you just need to power it from a 12v source. Good luck
Great info. 25 Nm is about 18.5 foot pounds though.
Thanks!
Does this set off the backup sensors?
@jumbosock, it does not interfere with the backup sensors on my setup
Good Review! Thanks
Thank you!
Hi, thanks for the vid, im only at 3:16, do you heat up your oil first?
Thank you, I will bring the motor up to operating temp first before i change it to circulate it, but i will let it cool down to a temp that will not burn me when i change it
That's pretty impressive. Especially alone. I had a similar one installed at Owl Vans in Mesa, Az. I knew I couldn't handle that job. Looks great!
Thanks, it was a bit of a wrestling match but its doable. Thanks again
What star socket is that at 18:06 that you have to take off for the limiting strap bracket..looks like it would be e9 but not one of my star sets has an e9? Even some googling online seems like cant find an e9 in any set
Its an E 10 socket for those hinge bolts where the limiting straps go
Great vid dude... way better than reading instructions! I feel like the limiting strap i got in my kit is so short only letting the door open straight not to side at all..might go to rei and pick up some rock climbing webbing and make my own strap a bit longer
@MoandSimbaforPeace thanks I appreciate it, glad it was helpful. I feel like mine does allow some past 90 degrees but not much, will be interested to see how a DIY one works!
@@ramblingambition did you use the aniti seize they provided on the m8 bolts into the door and bolts into the latches or just on the bolts on the ladder? Jon at owl vans has a whole vid up about how this setup will eventually ruin the door latches vs his which drills into the door...i jus wanted the one could still open doors almost all the way so when i put my ramp up and bring 2 350+lbs motorcyles in and out wont be as restrictive which still is now with my vertically challenged limit strap!!! Might have asked u before but did u intall the jb 47 gallon gas tank? I keep goin back n forth if i want it or just hang 2 5 gallon rotopax for when needed...i hung owls magnet mounts for my mk2 maxtrax and looks cool( gets more attention than i like) but very funtional.
@MoandSimbaforPeace Yes i used the antisieze on all the bolts want to make sure I can get them out, as to owl, i really like their products, however since i had the 270 hinges i did not want to buy hinges and mess with door alignment. As the wearing anything out the physics of the aluminess hinges works on the same principle as theirs so i am not sure what your going to wear out, the attachment points are the only different. Both things are still hung on the hinge mechanism. I have not replaced the factory tank with an s&b tank yet its on my list of things to do. I just moved to colorado a few weeks ago and will be flying back to the east coast soon and driving it out here and projects will resume at that point
This video helped a ton! I’m still dealing with the problem but it’s not as frequent. For me it happened when I would try to goose it going up a grade. Perhaps I just need to clean it a bit better?
Excellent glad it helped, if your still seeing issues i would clean it again and just make sure the valve operates easily, meaning it snaps back into place after rotating it
@@ramblingambition it snaps back but there’s a lot of crud further down the pipe. I think I just have to dig a little deeper
@scdrescher1 good luck, worst comes to worst you may need to replace the assembly
@@ramblingambition the one good thing about buying the Dodgecedes sprinter is that I’ve gotten a lot more adept at fixing things on my van….I’m not sure however if that’s early a good thing
@scdrescher1 I hear you but skills are skills regardless of when you learn them, I think they will serve you well
Love this! Thanks for trusting our products
@agileoffroad thank you it truly is amazing the difference your suspension kit makes!! Thanks for a great product, my next van build will get a rip kit too
Thanks for the video. Very easy to follow. Gonna be ordering one tomorrow. You made the setup looks easy. Then you mentioned you are six ten. Yeah, I’m gonna need a ladder 🤣
Absolutely and your going to like it, it offers so much outside space and its secure so in alot of ways you can set it and forget it until its time to leave camp!
You really delivered!❤😂
@chrismoss6999 haha IKR the van has been amazing though!!
Thank you. Got some for my transit, they’re en route now.
Great, your going to like the way they look and its a good step too. Thanks for checking out the video!
How wide was the gap that you used the bigger washer? Mine is 1/4 of an inch and that seemed excessive, not sure what to use in there or if there is another adjustment at the hinges to lessen the gap.
No the quarter inch was what i had as well, there are no other adjustments really, there should have been a spacer/thick washer to fill that gap like what i showed in the video and when you tighten everything it will pull it together. Hope that helps
Thanks! Good to know we won't have to adjust anything. I didn't do the install, but the tech used a strange (looks good tho) spacer that looks like he fabricated to fill the gap. The screws where not long enough as well. I contacted Aluminess and waiting for longer screw and possibly thicker washers to replace what was used. Maybe with thinner washers than the space filler he used will allow more give to tighten closer together like you mentioned. @@ramblingambition
@mitsygaynor absolutely
Hey Dan, great comprehensive install video. I'm definitely looking forward to the box installation video. Aluminess is miles ahead in product development with this no drill approach. Cheers
Thanks they are a great company and I like the quality of their products and for both the tire carrier and the box/bike mount! Appreciate you watching the video!
I have a 2023 Sprinter Diesel and I can not find the EGR Valve, do you have any advice?
Which motor do you have, the V6 or the new 4cyl turbo?
@@ramblingambition the new 4 cylinder 2.0
@perritomanoso3008 I am not familiar with the new 4 cylinder and I think its way to early in the use of the motor to determine if it will have the same issues as the 6 cyl. The tried and true 6 cyl motor has been around for decades and very little tech has impacted its use, hopefully with the new engineering that went into the new motor egr build up issues will be resolved, i would think if it becomes an issue someone will start posting how to clean it, in the mean time drive on and enjoy
@@ramblingambition thank you 🙏 for your reply, Im enjoying my sprinter
hahaha, nice man, bet you loved geeking out on this installation and telling the wife "we need to spend this money or else it won´t work properly!" looks really good, great conversion pal
Thanks, yes as a bit of a nerd at heart the tech stuff is very cool and having things integrated is worth the $$ in my opinion
I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to come up with a good solution for our ceiling. You just gave it to me! I think I’m gonna rip the sheets down to 2’ though and run them crosswise. My wife tries her hardest to help me but she has a bad shoulder so this is something I’ll have to do myself. Did you get that paneling at one of the big box stores?
Awesome glad our idea sparked one for you, yes we bought the sheets at lowes, i went big box store for three reasons the price, availability for when i made mistakes, and consistency if i needed to replace a section or add it as accents which we have done so it worked out, good luck I think you will be happy with the end product
About to do the same to mine. Question, did you fuse that hot line coming off the wench going to the power post? Or is that not necessary? Thanks!
About to do the same to mine. Question, did you fuse that hot line coming off the wench going to the power post? Or is that not necessary? Thanks!
It is not necessary the manual states to make a direct connection to the battery or in this case the power post, but you can just need to size it appropriately to the winch amp draw
About to do the same to mine. Question, did you fuse that hot line coming off the wench going to the power post? Or is that not necessary? Thanks!
Most winches want you to go directly to the battery un fused as they can pull huge loads at first or when under strain, they do recommend a cut off switch to be able to cut power to the winch incase of a winch related issue. My experience for what it is, i have had winches on my trucks for the last 30 years many different brands and capacities and I have never had a wire failure do to current overload, I have lost solenoids and over heated motors but never burned up a wire. I think adding fuse protection would be more of a hinderance than a benefit, but there is logic for the cut off switch you just will need one rated to 500amps
About to do the same to mine. Question, did you fuse that hot line coming off the wench going to the power post? Or is that not necessary? Thanks!
I think you are good without a fuse setup, the manufacturers do not recommend one or even show it as an option in their wiring diagrams, a cut off switch does have its benefits though!
good work thx
Thanks!!
Nice! I’ve been curious about those. Are those rigid scene lights on the side?
Thanks, I really like them they turned out better than i thought and yes you have a keen eye, they are rigid lights, small compact and put out just the right amount of light!
Thank you
Absolutely thanks for checking out the video
Helpful, thanks.
Glad it helped out. Thanks for watching the video!
Thank you so much for this video, so well explained and really helpful having the close up of parts at the start.. now I feel confident I know what to do! Also using this exact system for my solar panels on my 2019 sprinter!
Outstanding, I am glad it was helpful, good luck with your project, it is an inexpensive incredibly strong system that is really versatile and easy to change! Thanks for checking out the channel and the video!
Whats with the inbuilt and seemingly useless/pointless camera? Like what is included on a regular tablet... There an inbuilt microphone as well?
What camera and microphone are you referencing? The cerbo gx and touch screen do not have either
Thank you for the video. Good stuff! Is there any wind noise while you're driving with the setup?
Thanks, I appreciate it, and no wind noise at all, frankly i was surprised that there wasnt, but no whistles
Great video! We appreciate the support, and happy trails!
Thank you, you guys have a great product, built well and makes the van look great, I added some KC HiLites 6 inch slim light leds to round off the package!
@@ramblingambition Very cool!
At what interval would you recommend doing this?
I think every 30k depending on how much idling or city start stop traffic your in a little earlier like 20k if you idle alot and are in the city mostly and maybe stretch to 40 if your all highway or tow, what you dont want is it to cause an issue and for how long it takes to clean it my plan is every 25k, cheap insurance to make sure it performs like it should
Mine is a class C motor home, all highway miles. 25k it is . Thank you.
Excellent! Take care