Custom Sprinter Conversion Specialist Wanted

[ksirum]

I am looking for someone to do a conversion based on the European Westfalia Sven Hedin on a high top Sprinter (interior layout similar to the US Westfalia Sprinter). See the following web sites for examples and photos:

http://www.westfalia.org/?q=node/35

http://www.westfalia-van.de/de/modelle/sven-hedin.html

http://www.westfalia-van.de/de/service/produktinfos-downloads/kataloge-und-preislisten.html?no_cache=1

http://truckscout24.es/search/esp/detail.asp?vehicletype_id=10&vehicle_id=12205962&make=661&mid=14&page=1&AllowNext=1&language=esp

If you or someone you know is interested in this project let me know. Thanks!
~KLS

[Hit The Road Jack]

Where is your home-base ksirum?

[ksirum]

We are in Ohio but willing to travel. Once we find someone to do this conversion project for us we will buy a used van and deliver it.

[Hit The Road Jack]

We are in Ohio but willing to travel. Once we find someone to do this conversion project for us we will buy a used van and deliver it.

Bring it on!...:thumbup:

Pics available on request...:popcorn:

[ksirum]

Yes, tell me more and please send pictures of your work!
ksirum@bgsu.edu

[elysium]

Well, if you are in Ohio, you are in luck as you have one of the top sprinter conversion shops right in your back yard! You should definitely contact Owen at Creative Mobile Interiors.

Creative Mobile Interiors
6237 Seeds Road
Grove City, Ohio 43123
(614) 539-4600

They have a lot of sprinter conversion experience and are great folks to work with. They will do as little or as much as you want them to. You can have items drop shipped to them and they will do the install. Great guys. I had a sprinter shipped from Nebraska to them for a partial conversion. Owen has always been responsive to any ideas or concerns I had.

Here's a link to some of their sprinter work (not mine).
http://www.creativemobileinteriors.com/sections/portfolio/sprinter/index.asp

http://www.creativemobileinteriors.com/sections/portfolio/sprinter/Farnan/Large/FarnanF2BAisle-L.jpg

http://www.creativemobileinteriors.com/sections/portfolio/sprinter/Farnan/Large/FarnanIntHighSide2-L.jpg

OK, all that being said, if you want a westy, why not just buy one? They're probalby in the $45k price range in the used market. Doing a custom conversion is not cheap and you'll probably spend close to that much (or more). Might be better off buying ready made. For me, I also liked the westy layout, but it's a bit too conspicuous for me, so I went with something that looks more like a run-of-the-mill sprinter.

[ksirum]

Thanks for the CMI tip. I just contacted them yesterday via email and am waiting to hear back--I will be sure to talk to Owen.

I am considering a used Westfalia Sprinter but I have not been able to track one down. Plus there are some system details that I want that are not found in the US Westfalia Sprinter. In addition, I too would like something a little less conspicuous that I can park in my driveway and use as second vehicle occasionally.

[Hit The Road Jack]

Thanks for the CMI tip. I just contacted them yesterday via email and am waiting to hear back--I will be sure to talk to Owen.

I am considering a used Westfalia Sprinter but I have not been able to track one down. Plus there are some system details that I want that are not found in the US Westfalia Sprinter. In addition, I too would like something a little less conspicuous that I can park in my driveway and use as second vehicle occasionally.

Well then!...guess you don't need the fairly priced excellent workmanship of 'Yours Truly'

[ksirum]

"Jack",

Do you have photos of a completed conversion project?

[Hikinginpdx]

ksirum,

You mentioned some special system details you are looking for. What exactly are those?

I fully understand the desire to not look like an "RV" from the outside.

Keith

[ksirum]

Keith,

Keep in mind, I am a "newbie"--we have extensive tent camping experience but would be new camper van owners. Based on all I could dig up on this forum, other online resources, and conversations with some experts, so far this is what I think we want, not necessarily special, but not standard on the US Westfalia Sprinter. By the way, I would be grateful for any advice about any of the items described below! Thanks for writing.

Our wish list:
We will purchase a used Sprinter 144" hi top. We want to be able sleep 4. We want an upper bunk that drops down, or folds down or slides out from above the cab. We really like the layout of the Sprinter Westfalia Sven Hedin and James Cook, where the forward facing bench seat, which folds into a bed, is in the front of the van, and the upper bunk slides out from above the cab. The rear of the van then has the bathroom and kitchen area. We want to be able to seat at least 2 passengers comfortably facing forward with windows and seat belts, then be able to swivel the cab seats to create a dining area.
Also, we want to avoid the black water tank system and use a porta potti, we want to be able to camp without hookups for several days, with battery power and solar panels to keep us powered up (laptop for work on the road), and maybe a portable generator when needed. We do not want AC for when we are parked but only when traveling--we are thinking that what is in the cab is sufficient for this, with perhaps the possibility of redirecting some of the vents for the passengers while driving. We are interested in finding out more about a diesel furnace system to take the chill off during cooler weather and a diesel (tankless?) hot water heater, and possibly diesel cook top, or using a portable propane cookstove so we could hook up inside or out to use it, a kitchen sink, and refrigerator (electric or 3 way?). We would like a shower stall where the porta pot could be used and stored, possibly removing it for showers, as well as an outside shower. We want the awning style windows, sunroof/moon roof/roof vent(s), are interested in screens for the doors, and would like the flooring and upholstery to be easy to clean and durable (kids!), with the overall look simple and functional.

Karen

[elysium]

Trying to do some type of "top bunk" over the cab area (like in the westy) will be the challenge. That extra high top on a westy makes that easier to design.

I see the options as:

1) slide out/fold out system like the westy (where half the bed slides over the other half); never seen a non-westy conversion with this over the cab area; would be cool if do-able.

2) a drop down bed: basically when stowed, the entire bed pushes all the way up to the ceiling. Again, never seen any conversions with this, but would be cool if it could be designed.

3) fold out bunks, except over the cab area (images from sportsmobile website); best to do some cutouts/curves in the bunk in the front so the bunks don't block the front driver or passenger door.
http://www.sportsmobile.com/sections/sprinter/bunkbeds/bunkbeds05.jpg
http://www.sportsmobile.com/sections/sprinter/bunkbeds/bunkbeds06.jpg

4) OR just go sportsmobile/pop-top. If you could go the pop-top sprinter route, you can easily sleep two up top and two down low like in the westy. Only issue is that sportmobile will only do the poptop on the regular height sprinter (and only on the nc3v), so when the top isn't up, you'll probably be walking around stooped over. You can always have sportsmobile put in the top and have the interior put in by another vendor if you like someone else's work but want the pop top. Of course, I imagine you know there is a sportsmobile in indiana.
http://www.sportsmobile.com/z_instock/is_texas_files/2706-0.jpg
http://www.sportsmobile.com/z_instock/is_texas_files/2706-2.jpg

5) Something like this. You won't get the nice westy layout on the groundfloor, but I suppose this could be a fallback design in case nothing else pans out.

http://www.roadtrek.com/_uploads/images/170_Versatile_38_Living_Arrangement_HR.jpg

[Hit The Road Jack]

"Jack",

Do you have photos of a completed conversion project?

Documented visuals available at your request!

[Phil2007]

Hi....don't know if you found anyone yet but there is a guy in Ohio who did the major portion of my conversion. Let me know if you need more info.

Phil

[EscapePod]

Check my van... and Scope out everything Robert has to offer over at Moreheaddesignlab.com

Tell him Brandon sent ya!

[EscapePod]

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12191

[SYCO GT]

Has anyone worked with these guys? I like their materials.

http://www.outsidevan.com/

On another note, seeing the pictures of what Morehead did for Escapepod is amazing too!