Sprinter
From Sprinter-Wiki
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The Sprinter is a commercial vehicle that comes in a number of different configurations and is available in a number of different countries. Manufactured by Daimler AG under a few different brand names (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner, Volkswagen), the Sprinter could be considered a true "World Van."
Jan 1, 2010, Sprinter vans will no longer be sold under the Dodge nameplate in the USA. They will be Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. 120 Mercedes-Benz dealerships, not including the current Freightliner dealerships, will be chosen to support and sell Sprinters.
Timeline of vans produced by Daimler AG:
- L319 "GrosTransporter" (German Language) (1956-1967)
- L206 "Harburger Transporter" (German Langauge) (1970-1977)
- T1/TN "Bremer Transporter", (German Language) (1977-1995)
- T1N Sprinter 1st Generation (1995-2006)
- NCV3 Sprinter 2nd Generation (2006-present)
Contents |
T1N Sprinter 1st Generation (1994 – 2006)
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The Sprinter T1N (Transporter 1 Neu) is the replacement for the Bremer T1. T1N's come as cargo, passenger, or chassis versions. Production for the T1N continued into 2006 model year for the US market.
T1N's comes in three wheelbases (118in, 140in, and 158in), two roof heights (standard and high), and two weight classes (2500 and 3500) where the 3500 series comes with dual rear wheels.
Earlier models (1994-1999) exhibited a floating three pointed star in the middle of the grille. The design was later changed (2000) to a half circle cut out of the engine bonnet to encompass the three pointed star. The horizontal air vents just above the bonnet were widened in 2002.
The T1N arrived in the US in 2001 as a Freightliner. All T1N cargo models were reassembled from kits at Freightliner's Gaffney, South Carolina Custom Chassis plant, and all passenger models were imported directly from the Düsseldorf plant. FedEx was the first US customer, buying the complete 2001 Gaffney production run. After the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler becoming Daimler-Chrysler, the T1N began selling under the Dodge nameplate in late 2003. Both Freightliner and Dodge continued to sell the T1N in the US through the 2006 model year.
Powertrain
Four diesel engines and one petrol engine were available. A 2.3l Turbo Diesel (TDI), 2.9l Turbo Diesel (TDI), 2.2l Turbo Diesel (CDI), 2.7l Turbo Diesel (CDI) and a 2.3l Petrol. Only the 2.7l CDI was available to the USA.
The abbreviation "OM" stands for "Oil-Motor" and refers to today's diesel engines.
| Engine | Capacity (l) | Cyl-Arrg | Power (hp) | Torque(ft-lbs) | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM601 | 2.3 | I4 | 72 | 96 | 1995-1999 |
| OM602980 | 2.9 | I5 | 121 | 207 | 1995-1999 |
| OM611* | 2.2 | I4 | 80,107,127 | 148,199,221 | 2000-2005 |
| OM612 | 2.7 | I5 | 154 | 243 | 2000-2003 |
| OM647 | 2.7 | I5 | 154 | 243 | 2004-2006 |
*There are three versions of the OM611 engine.
| Engine | Capacity (l) | Cyl-Arrg | Power (hp) | Torque(ft-lbs) | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M111 | 2.3 | I4 | 141 | 159 | 2000-2005 |
2004-2006 OM647's were fitted with turbo resonators that are known to crack at the seam and will cause the vehicle to go into Limp-Home Mode. The latest version of turbo resonators have a "Q5" on a small white sticker on the underside. [1].
Transmission
Three transmissions were available; a 5 speed manual, a 6 speed semi-automatic (Sprintshift), and a 5 speed (selectable) automatic (NAG1; New Automatic Gearbox generation 1). The manual transmissions and the Sprintshift were not available in the USA.
| Transmission | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | Reverse | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Speed Manual | 5.05 | 2.60 | 1.52 | 1.00 | 0.78 | 4.76 | 1995-2005 | |
| Sprintshift Semi-Auto | 5.01 | 2.83 | 1.78 | 1.25 | 1.00 | 0.79 | 4.57 | 2000-2005 |
| NAG1 Automatic | 3.59 | 2.19 | 1.41 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 3.16 | 2001-2006 |
A common characteristic of the NAG1 automatic transmission is a rumbling or vibration that occurs during light acceleration and coasting.
Chassis
The front suspension consists of a single transversely mounted composite spring with shocks mounted near each front wheel. In some cases, the composite spring is known to sag over time. A steel replacement is available.
The rear suspension consists of two longitudinally mounted leaf springs underneath each frame rail. Cargo and chassis versions have single leaves while the passenger versions have dual leaves on each side. The passenger spring leaf packs consist of a comfort spring and a spring for heavier loads.
Driveshaft u-joints are not serviceable or replaceable [2]. The driveshaft assembly that includes the u-joints must be replaced entirely.
The suspension in 2004-2006 models are raised 30mm from previous year models to compensate for the move to larger 16 inch rims and tires. The front consist of a 30mm channel spacer [3] and the rear contain reshaped leaf spring arches [4].
The bearings and races for the rear axle are reported to be the same as those used in a late model Dodge Charger and at a much better price. [5]
Body
Cargo and passenger versions comprise of a unibody steel construction. Chassis versions come in cab or crew cab versions with frames that extend beyond the back of the cab. Chassis crew cabs are not available in the USA.
Passenger versions consist of 5 doors; a driver and passenger door, a sliding side door, and two rear barn type swing out doors. Cargo versions have an option of a driver's side sliding door. With a driver's side sliding door, a rear auxiliary heater cannot be ordered.
There are four known types of OEM Mirrors that come from the factory. They can be identified by their support arms; plastic, short metal, long metal, and metal loop arms. [6] The mirrors with plastic arms come standard on most T1N versions except for the chassis. If parabolic mirrors were ordered as an additional option, it would default to short metal arms. Most chassis cabs come with the long metal arms, except when ordered with parabolic mirrors, the short metal arm mirrors were used. All were electric power and were heated.
There are six fabric designs available for the interior seats; Arrow, Cara, Carat, Catano, Santos, and Venice. The available fabric design will depend on the options ordered.
The maximum permissible roof load is:
- Vehicles with low roof 660 lbs (300 kg)
- Vehicles with high roof 330 lbs (150 kg)
- The weight of any load carried on the roof, including the roof rack, must not exceed the maximum permissible roof load.
History
- 1995 - Sprinter T1N is introduced.
- 1996 -
- 1997 -
- 1998 -
- 1999 -
- 2000 - New front clip with half circle cut out of the engine bonnet encompasses the three pointed star.
- 2001 -
- 2002 - Horizontal air vents just above the bonnet were widened.
- 2003 -
- 2004 - The 2.7 liter diesel engine receives a new intake manifold.
- Body height is raised by 30mm.
- Separate compressor for rear air conditioning and rear evaporator becomes roof mounted.
- ESP become standard.
- 2005 -
- 2006 - The T1N continues to be sold in the North America. 3500 chassis models receive 16 inch rims.
NCV3 Sprinter 2nd Generation (2006 – present)
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The Sprinter NCV3 (New Concept Van 3) is the redesigned replacement for the Sprinter T1N. The NCV3 appeared in Europe and in other countries in 2006 and consist of cargo, passenger, and chassis versions. North America received its own NCV3 for the 2007 model year. The US cargo NCV3s are reassembled from kits in a new purpose-built Freightliner assembly plant located in Ladson, South Carolina, and the passenger models are imported directly from Germany. The NVC3 Sprinters are sold under both the Dodge and Freightliner nameplates.
The NCV3 comes in three wheelbases (128in, 144in, 170in), three roof heights (standard, high, mega), four lengths, and two weight classes (2500, 3500) where the 3500's have the option of dual rear wheels or rear super singles. Neither the 128in wheelbase nor the rear super single tires are available in the USA market.
Powertrain
Three engines are available. A 2.2l Turbo Diesel (CDI) , a 3.0l Turbo Diesel (CDI), and a 3.5l Petrol . The 2.2l CDI comes in four different power and torque levels and is not available in the USA. All diesels are now fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) that regenerates to burn off the collected soot.
The abbreviation "OM" stands for "Oil-Motor" and refers to today's diesel engines.
| Engine | Capacity(l) | Cyl-Arrg | Power (hp) | Torque(ft-lbs) | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM646 | 2.2 | I4 | 87,107,127,148 | 162,207,225,243 | 2006-2008 |
| OM651 | 2.2 | I4 | 95,129,163 | 184,225,266 | 2009-present |
| OM642 | 3.0 | V6 | 154 | 280 | 2006-present |
| Engine | Capacity (l) | Cyl-Arrg | Power (hp) | Torque(ft-lbs) | Used |
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| M272 | 3.5 | V6 | 254 | 250 | 2006-present |
Transmission
An available 6 speed manual NSG370 and the 5 speed (selectable) automatic NAG1 (New Automatic Gearbox generation 1) continue to be used, however, the rumbling or vibration that occurred in the T1N while light on the accelerator and coasting has reportedly been eliminated. Other names for the NAG1 are W5A380 or G40.
| Transmission | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | Reverse | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSG370 Manual | 5.014 | 2.831 | 1.789 | 1.256 | 1.00 | 0.828 | 4.569 | 2006-present |
| NAG1 Automatic | 3.59 | 2.19 | 1.41 | 1.00 | 0.83 | 3.16 | 2006-present |
Chassis
The front suspension consists of a single transversely mounted composite spring with shocks mounted near each front wheel. The rear suspension consists of two longitudinally mounted leaf springs underneath each frame rail. Cargo and chassis versions have single leaves while the passenger versions have dual leaves on each side. The passenger spring leaf packs consist of a comfort spring and a spring for heavier loads.
Driveshaft u-joints are not serviceable or replaceable [7]. The driveshaft assembly that includes the u-joints must be replaced entirely.
3500's with rear super singles have a spare that is intermediate in size between the front and rear wheels [8].
Body
Cargo and passenger versions comprise of a unibody steel construction with the exception of mega roofs which are made out of a fiberglass composite. Chassis versions come in cab or crew cab versions with frames that extend beyond the back of the cab. Chassis crew cabs are not available in the USA. Colors remain the same for 2007 and 2008.
Passenger versions consist of 5 doors; a driver and passenger door, a sliding side door, and two rear barn type swing out doors. Cargo versions have an option of a driver's side sliding door.
A crew van option is offered for the cargo version. This consists of a first row rear three passenger bench seat. There are floor cut outs for an addition bench seat in the second row, but the hardware necessary to secure it is not provided (the blind nuts are welded below the floor, but the holes have not been drilled).
There are two fabric designs available for the interior seats; Brasso Gray and Brasso Black. The available fabric design will depend on the options ordered.
Maximum roof load and minimum number of pairs of roof rack supports on vehicles with (see page 630 in Owners manual) [9]:
- Standard Roof 660lbs (300kg) with a minimum of 6 pairs of supports.
- Raised Roof 330lbs (150kg) with a minimum of 3 pairs of supports.
The data is valid when the load is distributed evenly over the entire roof area. When using a shorter roof rack, reduce the load proportionately. The maximum load is 110 lbs (50 kg) per pair of roof rack supports.
Maximum normal tensile load on the lashing eyes, or tie downs are (see page 629 of the owner's manual)[10]:
- Crewbus 786 lbf (3500 N)
- Panel Van 1124 lbf (5000 N)
For these loads to be valid, you must tie into at least 2 tie down points.
Maximum normal tensile load on the lashing rails (see page 629 of the owner's manual)[11]:
- Load rails in the load compartment floor 1124 lbf (5000 N)
- Lower load rail on the side wall 562 lbf (2500 N)
- Upper load rail on the side wall 337 lbf (1500 N)
History
- 2006 - Sprinter NCV3 is introduced.
- 2007 - NCV3 arrives in North America as a Dodge or Freightliner.
- 2008 - New option of power sliding side door is introduced (Not in USA).
- Two stage sliding door opening feature deleted (USA).
- Backup camera option not available (USA).
- 2009 - Petrol engine is discontinued (USA).
- 2010 - The Dodge badge is dropped. Sprinters will be badged Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner (USA).
