Hi everyone, sorry in advance for the long post...
Completely new to this forum and to the Sprinter world, I am reading the posts for a few days and found a lot of stuff very helpful. Here's the story. I've been almost given a Sprinter 2 weeks ago. A family member had this Sprinter since 2009. She did hit something on the road, a metal piece probably, it did damage the Front right wheel and tire, it broke the right rear suspension leaf (it's a 2-spring leaf, just one is broken at the attachment point to the diff), and the rear right shaft housing (diff) is kinked but it appears to be only cosmetic and there is no leaks. She claimed the insurance, and decided to collect the money and buy a new vehicle because the Sprinter has some rust (Maybe more than some...). I ended up buying it for the scrap price. Is is driveable, but the leaf spring is knocking on the body when going over bumps, and it dangerously stretch the brake hose.
The vehicle is a 2005 Canadian T1N 158' high-roof. OM647 engine. It's a Passenger version (10-pass). It has interesting equipment that I pulled from an online VIN decoder. It's Dark charcoal (7103). It has 341 000 km on the clock (211 K Miles), It has Espar heater with 7-day timer (not working), Power windows and locks, no cruise, Privacy glass all-around, Rear heat exchanger w/fan (working well), Front A/C but no rear A/C. Dealer installed block heater, Factory Tow hitch, Front and rear Stabilizers, HD Shocks, Assyst system, I have 4 Studded General LT winters, and 3 summer Conti Vanco, all on rims. Plus the spare (one was damaged in the road event). I wasn't expecting buying a Sprinter, but I have to say I LOVE this van and the kids as well. With block heater connected it fires right up at -25 Celcius (We have had VERY cold weather lately). Quite long to warm up as the Espar doesn't work. In the past year the previous owner did replace all 4 shocks, all brakes with calipers (4 wheels), Exhaust, Radiator, Ball joints, Sway bar bushings, Power steering pump, etc etc. Even the tranny was rebuilded 1 1/2 year ago. It has never been abused since it was a family carrier for her. Now the bad part, it has RUST. The hood and the front driver door bottom are badly rusted, and will most likely require replacement. The rear doors are perforated at the bottom of the windows, and the sliding door bottom is also perforated. This van has been on the salty roads forever. However, all the other windows seams are good, the rocker panels and the underneath (Floor and Frame) are in good condition. The most damaged parts are replaceable (Doors, hood). It only has 2 Glow plug codes (Cyl.1 and 2) intermittent, (P0380, P0671, P0672). I did reset and it came back a few days later. No ABS or SRS Light on. Windshield not cracked. It drives very well and feel very solid. Engine purrs like a cat and has plenty of power. It has been very well maintained mechanically, but the body has seen better days.
Now my question is, should I invest and fix it, not making a new car but removing some rust (I can do a lot of this myself)? To me it's too good to be scraped. I had a VW Vanagon Westfalia for 14 years that I sold last year, and I have to say I kind of want to modify it to an eventual DIY simple camper. I am very inclined to do all my mechanical work myself.
First thing first it needs a rear leaf spring, any advice on where/what to buy will be welcome.
I also welcome any thoughts, or opinions on what should be checked or inspected before deciding to throw money on it. But for now, It's almost a no cost to me (Below 1K$). So the risk is not very big.
Thanks for your ideas and inputs!
Vincent
Completely new to this forum and to the Sprinter world, I am reading the posts for a few days and found a lot of stuff very helpful. Here's the story. I've been almost given a Sprinter 2 weeks ago. A family member had this Sprinter since 2009. She did hit something on the road, a metal piece probably, it did damage the Front right wheel and tire, it broke the right rear suspension leaf (it's a 2-spring leaf, just one is broken at the attachment point to the diff), and the rear right shaft housing (diff) is kinked but it appears to be only cosmetic and there is no leaks. She claimed the insurance, and decided to collect the money and buy a new vehicle because the Sprinter has some rust (Maybe more than some...). I ended up buying it for the scrap price. Is is driveable, but the leaf spring is knocking on the body when going over bumps, and it dangerously stretch the brake hose.
The vehicle is a 2005 Canadian T1N 158' high-roof. OM647 engine. It's a Passenger version (10-pass). It has interesting equipment that I pulled from an online VIN decoder. It's Dark charcoal (7103). It has 341 000 km on the clock (211 K Miles), It has Espar heater with 7-day timer (not working), Power windows and locks, no cruise, Privacy glass all-around, Rear heat exchanger w/fan (working well), Front A/C but no rear A/C. Dealer installed block heater, Factory Tow hitch, Front and rear Stabilizers, HD Shocks, Assyst system, I have 4 Studded General LT winters, and 3 summer Conti Vanco, all on rims. Plus the spare (one was damaged in the road event). I wasn't expecting buying a Sprinter, but I have to say I LOVE this van and the kids as well. With block heater connected it fires right up at -25 Celcius (We have had VERY cold weather lately). Quite long to warm up as the Espar doesn't work. In the past year the previous owner did replace all 4 shocks, all brakes with calipers (4 wheels), Exhaust, Radiator, Ball joints, Sway bar bushings, Power steering pump, etc etc. Even the tranny was rebuilded 1 1/2 year ago. It has never been abused since it was a family carrier for her. Now the bad part, it has RUST. The hood and the front driver door bottom are badly rusted, and will most likely require replacement. The rear doors are perforated at the bottom of the windows, and the sliding door bottom is also perforated. This van has been on the salty roads forever. However, all the other windows seams are good, the rocker panels and the underneath (Floor and Frame) are in good condition. The most damaged parts are replaceable (Doors, hood). It only has 2 Glow plug codes (Cyl.1 and 2) intermittent, (P0380, P0671, P0672). I did reset and it came back a few days later. No ABS or SRS Light on. Windshield not cracked. It drives very well and feel very solid. Engine purrs like a cat and has plenty of power. It has been very well maintained mechanically, but the body has seen better days.
Now my question is, should I invest and fix it, not making a new car but removing some rust (I can do a lot of this myself)? To me it's too good to be scraped. I had a VW Vanagon Westfalia for 14 years that I sold last year, and I have to say I kind of want to modify it to an eventual DIY simple camper. I am very inclined to do all my mechanical work myself.
First thing first it needs a rear leaf spring, any advice on where/what to buy will be welcome.
I also welcome any thoughts, or opinions on what should be checked or inspected before deciding to throw money on it. But for now, It's almost a no cost to me (Below 1K$). So the risk is not very big.
Thanks for your ideas and inputs!
Vincent