As the “Van Life” culture has expanded, interest in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has never been higher. They’re a relatively affordable solution for camping, traveling, living-in, going off the grid, and much more. Of course, in stock form, they’re effectively a metal box that works as a blank canvas that you modify to suit your needs.
The Sprinter van aftermarket has grown substantially, but there are a few key modifications that every Sprinter van owner should consider.
#1 Tuning
Arguably the single most important modification for any Mercedes Sprinter is aftermarket tuning. By tuning your Sprinter van, you unlock a ton of hidden power without the hassle of installing any aftermarket parts like an exhaust system or cold intake. This also means you retain the reliability of your OEM components while still massively improving performance.
The horsepower and torque gains depend on the year of your Sprinter and which engine it’s equipped with, but generally, you’ll see gains over 20% for horsepower and torque. This is way more power than any bolt-on parts will offer and it’s more affordable than many bolt-on parts. To put it simply, an aftermarket tune is the most cost-effective solution for increasing power while also being the easiest to install.
#2 BedRug
One of the biggest issues with the “metal box” design of the Sprinter van is the fact that the entire floor is metal and has zero sound damping or insulating. Luckily, this is pretty easy to fix with BedRug and their VanRug kits. These kits are offered in a few different variations for all popular Sprinter van sizes. To put it simply, the VanRug kits are just 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick foam with either an anti-skid TPO surface or a heavy-duty carpet surface.
With the floor of your Sprint covered, road noise is greatly reduced since there is material to reduce all that sound. It will also make the floor of your Sprinter more usable since VanRug offers a lot more grip than the bare metal floor. The extra padding will also keep your Sprinter’s metal floor in perfect condition which can improve resale value.
#3 Insulation Kit
Depending on how you plan on using your Sprinter van, insulating the walls and floor can be very beneficial. By insulating the walls and roof, you can greatly reduce road noise and also keep the inside of your Sprinter at a desirable temperature. This is an absolute must-have item for those who plan on sleeping or spending extended periods inside their Sprinter.
By buying a kit specifically designed for the Sprinter, you’re purchasing the exact amount of material needed with no excess, which can save you quite a bit of time and money. You’ll also have an easy installation guide and pieces already cut to the exact dimensions you need for your model Sprinter.
#4 Roof Rack
Although the inside of the Sprinter has a ton of space, that space typically gets filled up very quickly and often isn’t enough. For those who need extra storage space, a roof rack is a perfect solution. With the Sprinter, there are tons of different roof rack configurations, but the most popular options are typically very slim and minimal.
While a slim roof rack might not provide the same amount of storage capacity as a tall roof rack, the slimmer models help maintain decent gas mileage. The other main purpose of a roof rack is for mounting solar panels. Solar power is very popular for Sprinter van owners who spend extended periods in their van and need a solution for powering their electronics.
#5 Ladder
The extra storage from your new roof rack is great until you need a way of getting on your roof. Unless you plan on packing a ladder in the back of your Sprinter, you’re going to need a ladder mounted to the body of your van to access your roof rack. Luckily, many of the companies that offer roof racks also offer ladder systems for accessing the roof racks.
There are two main types of ladder systems: side-mounted or rear-mounted. Functionally, both systems work the same. The side-mounted ladders have the possibility of getting caught on branches if you plan on off-roading on narrow trails, while the rear-mounted systems are kept out of the way. Picking which style is right for your mostly comes down to personal preference.
#6 Aftermarket Suspension
For those of you who plan on taking your Sprinter to the dirt, a lift kit is a great modification. With a lift kit, ground clearance is improved, the departure angle is improved, and you’ll have room for larger and more aggressive tires which make the difference between getting stuck or getting to your destination. Of course, excessively large lift kits will likely just cause problems since Sprinter vans are already very tall.
Even with a very mild lift kit, you can take your Sprinter places a stock Sprinter could never reach. It’s also important to consider aftermarket suspension if you’ve outfitted your Sprinter for living in and exceeded the factory weight ratings with all your living equipment and gear. Of course, all this only applies if your Sprinter is loaded with gear and/or you plan on taking it off-road.
#7 Wheels and A/T Tires
As you probably know, the factory wheels and tires on Sprinter vans are very small and boring. The tires are designed for extremely basic road usage and provide minimal off-road traction and many of them are limited as far as total load. With or without a lift kit on your Sprinter, tires can make all the difference for on-road and off-road traction.
Aftermarket wheels don’t provide a huge performance increase, although many are lighter and stronger than the OEM wheels found on Sprinter vans, they do provide great looks.
#8 Backup Camera
In terms of convenience with everyday driving and usage, there is one modification that stands out: a backup camera. Not too surprisingly, backing a giant metal box out of a parking spot without running into anything is a challenge. Often it’s close to impossible to see what’s behind your Sprinter, making the task of backing up very difficult. Luckily, this entire problem is easily solved with a backup camera.
Many of the backup camera systems on the market would by replacing the OEM brake light above the rear doors. This gives the camera a great top-down look at what’s behind your van and makes it very easy to navigate out of parking spots. For sheer convenience, a backup camera is a must-have modification for Sprinters lacking one from the factory.
