We're Sheri and Jim.
For the past 24 years, travel has been a shared passion, which has been the central focus of both our personal lives and professional careers.
Now, 5 years into exploring the world overland on motorcycles, bicycles, and an expedition 4WD, we’re taking on a new adventure.
We’re starting a travel vlog!
Join us as we pick-up the story traveling overland across South America in our trusty Land Cruiser Troopy, Maggie.
Want to know where we're headed next? Be sure to subscribe for weekly updates as we travel to Colombia and beyond.
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Diesel fuel is artificially higher in the US; other countries still have it lower than gasoline. Diesel goes further before a breakdown. Diesel gets way better MPGs. In cold places diesel will stay liquid while gasoline gells up. Diesel converts to propane much easier than gasoline.
That lots of extra stuff you can carry in a two wheel drive translates to that much more stuff to unpack, drain, and dismantle when you get hopelessly stuck in the middle of nowhere!
You pay for what you get!
Also to mention that when you are doing the PAN AMERICAN highway gas is better, due to the inability to get ULTRA LOW DIESEL IN central and South American
In your cost breakdown you specified how much cheaper 87 octane is compared to diesel. However, I believe Mercedes recommends 91 octane for the turbo 2 liter gasser. I have a 2017 Sprinter 2500 144" with the 3 liter diesel and wouldn't consider anything else *for my needs* (<important caveat because MY needs aren't the same as everyone else's....bless free enterprise and options!!). However, I've been working on Euro diesels since before Dieselgate was a twinkle in Piech's eye, so doing my own maintenance and sourcing parts from other than the expensive 3-pointed star dealers are a non-issue for me. Otherwise I agree with everything you said, except the Santa Cruz. I'm a Pivot fanboy. ;) (Don't forget how much interior space you give up if you DO go with the 3500 with dual wheels!)
would the sprinter frame hold weight if say we added rail frames, the perpendicular rails to hold solar panels as well as rails that extend past the width of the sprinter for a hammock/ drying clothes
both junk, go transit
So what's the van lookin like nowadays?
Did u drill in the extra holes in the roof at the ends?
I understand for converting to van 4 cylinder in btter deal but what bout working van with 1 to 3 pallets of product ? What your opinion ?
Why does the largest benefit to a diesel get completely ignored. Diesels go well over the life expectancy than a gas engine. Is this fact? I regularly see 400k on frisked, never gas engines.
Thank you!! For this video
Where did you guys disappear too?
Why don't they make a straight/inline 6cyl diesel?
Please give us an update.😊
Don’t even have to watch the video . The obvious choice is diesel.
There’s a lot of garbage on the net but I have to say you guys crushed it with the instructional.
What brand and type of fasteners did you use to secure the subfloor plywood to the furring strips?
Hi. Would it be possible to send me a picture of how the burglar bars worked for your Troopy's sliding windows. I want something I can take off easily
Hi. We unfortunately don't have a photo of them and no longer own the truck as we just sold it.
I was about to not watch this, cus for the Apocalypse, u Need a Veggie Diesel. But, the Interior Build, interested me
Awesome. Can a lift gate be put in? I’m looking to possibly get one of these to haul products for a vending business
I'm not sure. You can contact a dealer to ask.
How far apart did you place your maxfans? I am trying to determine where to place the fans
What type of Birch plywood did you use? The link didn’t work for me.
Regarding gas mileage, did you do a comparison between actual calculated gas mileage vs the vehicle's computer generated values? I have never seen a vehicle accurately provide a gas mileage value, as they are always optimistic in my experience.
No. We haven't done this calculation
Hi from Australia guys I’m currently debating selling the 1hdt 80 series and buying over here in Oz a hzj78, which has the 1hz naturally aspirated motor , how did you guys feel when you went from the 80 to the stock 1hz for touring and highway cruising , any info would be fantastic, hope your both well .
Ha, well, it's noticeably slower. The 1HZ engine is a great, reliable engine but slower than the 80 turbo charged engine. It was fine for us, but something to consider for your use case.
Butyl based noise control products are not the healthiest substance. You don't need heavy stick on noise control if using 3M Thinsulate. Wool contains residual pesticides from treating sheep for lice.
This might be stating the obvious but why did you not space the furring strips the exact width of the insulation wool?
How many miles have you covered? Is the tower still solid?😊
We're at 60k miles and the tower is very solid!
Hey guys! Excellent video, very helpful for my build I'm starting now! Not sure if I missed it in the video, but did you do any additional flooring on top of the sub floor? Like wood planks or vinyl? Also, are there any non-toxic or natural glues that you would recommend?
We put down lonseal flooring. Unfortunately I couldn't find non toxic glue, but lonseal makes a strong double sided tape which I believe is much less toxic than glue
Why series wiring vs parallel? I see the question was asked a couple of times. In series isn't the voltage accumulative? Three panels would be 36v? Hoping you can help here.. Thanks.. I'm a subscriber now. :)
Binge watching ALL of your informative videos. Waiting to see you add a motorcycle hitch to your van so you can take along a bike!!! 😁😁😁😁
Ha, we might start carrying motos inside the van!
As a motorcycle enthusiast I'd love to hear your thoughts on the different engines knowing that my future van will either hitch-carry my bmw gs......or load it directly into the rear of my sprinter 170. I'm retiring this year and will have a van built to travel North America!!! One of my motorcycles will always accompany me....either my bmw gs....or my triumph speed twin. What are your thoughts if you were in my shoes? Diesel? Gas? Love your channel....will continue binge watching your stuff later today!!!! Subscribed to follow along on your adventures!!!!
Congrats on retiring! Sounds like you have fun plans ahead! We've driven ours 60k miles and get 20mpg. We've loaded it up with lots of stuff and are very happy with the engine performance. No problems at all (touch wood!) I'd still go with the gas. We'll actually start carrying motos in the van soon!
Hello. Thanks for videos. I want to install an awning and some solar panels on my sprinter 4500. What kind of crossbars do you have? Thanks
By far the most precise and detailed MaxxAir fan installation video I've seen yet. I LOVE the way you made the wooden frame. I've never seen it done that way before. I will be copying your technique.
I just recently saw a video in which the installing couple used white, paint-on Flexseal instead of Dicor lap sealant for the same reason, for a finer, nicer outcome avoiding the melted ice cream look of lap sealant. Yours looks very nice just the way it is (with the 3M product). I think using only butyl tape invites problems later on; butyl tape cracks over time. Again, nice job.
To grind the metal edges you could use a die grinder, air powered they cost about $70 CAD. They run at 25,000 rpm and can trim a window in about 3 minutes. Once again you need that darn compressor.
I’m not listening to this beta
I know you have taken a break from posting the van build, but how has the Mercedes gasser been doing up to this point? Still happy with your choice? Even as the weight of the build is added into the equation? Thanks for all of your content so far.
We love the gas engine. We've had no problems at all. We're at 60k miles now and have loaded it up with lots of stuff.
I wish i would have seen the tip about predrilling the pilot holes. I just installed 2 awning windows in the back of my Sprinter and the screws were really hard to get tightened all the way without them but they're done!
Watching your vids from Sacramento California : ) currently building 2016 Ford Transit high roof and this vid is good example for me to use to build my van to travel California and other amazing states and parks
Thanks for the info.
nice how to. small rip when cutting the roof you have the issue the roof ribs are higher so you have to balance the jigsaw. when you use a some wood on the other side you level it out and you don't have to balance the jigsaw
Definitely watching this after having my fan as the first big project ... DEFINITELY wish I had started with subfloor! Completely agree with your points at the end of the video. I can't wait to keep following along! I'd love to hear if you've had any issue with moisture getting under the subfloor - did you seal it off?
No problems with moisture under the subfloor. It's not sealed off.
You guys are teachers! Love ur channel!
, 👍👌❤️🇨🇦,,
Ditto. I just installed my Maxxair this morning. I used butyl tape to build up a thick stack to compensate for the ridges of the roof. Before I apply all the screws, I realized the screws will compress the plastic flange onto a pile of..mud. So my engineering mind kicks in, this is not structurally sounded... stop. Now I just saw you used an adapter plate. But the link does not work any more. Hmm. I may have to rig up something. Could you verify the link for us. TIA
Never mind. Found them with new search. But $60 geeze. I can make one out of alum, or plastic, or hardwood.
Where was the 3M windshield adhesive..As that thing will leak without it..Trust me.. Friend of mine built these Vans.. As that 3M also holds the window in place from vibration and blowout....The screws will vibrate lose over time...
We followed the manufacturers instruction and have never had any leaks in 60k miles
Thank you for your video. Does your floor wiggle a little. My floor drops down on the outer edge an I can’t get it to level
No, it doesn't wiggle. It's really solid.
@@wanderlibre4434 thank you. Maybe it’ll change once I screw it down. My outer edges are causing it to be unleveled
I notice on all builds I've seen the Kilmat is minimal on the sides and is not used to fill the entire sections. Any particular reason for this? Seems like more would help. Is it an issue of added weight? Great video and thank you for sharing.
It's not necessary to cover the walls - it adds unnecessary weight and expense.
Really great video! Thank you.. We are early in our research so this really helps!
Really good video. Curious, did you apply any sound deadening mats to the sliding door or above the driver and passenger headliner area. Thanks for sharing your videos.
No, we didn't add any to those areas
Where are you guys? Why did you stop bulding? Looking forward to see your new films.
We stopped vlogging about the build because it takes a lot of time to vlog AND build 🙃
Hope you're still checking these comments as this was several years ago! Thanks for the videos, very helpful. Did you have to use spacers for the factory hardware or were the bolts long enough to span the height of your built up floor? Thanks.
No, we didn't have to use spacers. We bought longer bolts.
@@wanderlibre4434 Duh...as soon as I sent that, I realized it was a dumb question! Sorry about that! At any rate...did you end up using the anchor points later in your build? I'm thinking about just getting rid of the hardware when I put my floor in. Thanks!