Stoked for incoming Travois Expedition

[misteremanca]

Hope your engine swap is going well, and that the build process is coming to a satisfactory conclusion for you. Am very much looking forward to pictures.

I’m interested in knowing more about your experience with Travois. I’m considering using them for a custom build as well. They’ve impressed me early in our talks, having gone the distance with them, would you recommend them to someone starting iut?


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[Trail Talk]

Originally Posted by misteremanca

Hope your engine swap is going well, and that the build process is coming to a satisfactory conclusion for you. Am very much looking forward to pictures.

I’m interested in knowing more about your experience with Travois. I’m considering using them for a custom build as well. They’ve impressed me early in our talks, having gone the distance with them, would you recommend them to someone starting iut?

The new engine is installed and the vehicle ready for Travois. As of today I don't know if they have picked it up yet, but considering the stormy weather they may not have. So at this point I can't comment on their finished work, only the ordering experience.

We actually signed the purchase agreement with Travois last April but had several set-backs so that we missed delivery for last year and re-focused on Spring of 2019. Production of the Expedition conversions started a couple of weeks ago and they tell me their stalls are all full. Frankly, I'm not sure what that means for us. I expect to hear more once they pick up the van.

[Trail Talk]

Received some good news from Travois. I can understand why our spot on the production run was given to another (lucky sod) as they couldn't have a crew waiting idle for the new engine to be installed.

Appreciating this, main man Daniel is coming out of the office and donning his coveralls to lead an extra team on our build. Thats what I'm talkin 'bout

[Trail Talk]

The van has inherited the license plate "BLITZEN" from our previous Mercedes E500 and I think it suits her well.

Work starts next week with the exterior protection being installed; side rails with steps, transfer case cradle, skid plates, wheels and tires.

The following week should see windows and their nifty flooring system, with a start on cabinets.

A couple of weeks and the Canadian-spec pop-top roof will go in. I'm hoping to have pictures (maybe even video) as the stages move along so stay tuned...

[Trail Talk]

Just received pics showing our van getting ready to receive its chassis protection.

Included are side sill bars, rear transfer-case cradle, and a front aluminum skidplate (Travois stock photos).

[Trail Talk]

So we've spec'd 285/75-16 tires on steel rims over Travois' standard expedition set-up of 265 tires on Fastco alloys. Aside from a slight bump in ground clearance, I'm counting on the ability to air down and tackle more difficult terrain. Also hoping to benefit from meatier sidewalls, plus at least it is possible to bang out a dented steel rim if needed.

The Terrawagen Sprinter 4x4 fender flares should keep all that rubber under cover! Here is a stock photo...

[Trail Talk]

Slight correction from last post; we'll be using factory M-B light alloy wheels with the big BF Goodrich KO2's. The under armour has been installed, now waiting for them to cut a big hole in the roof

A few more pics...

[Trail Talk]

on Travois Facebook page, some shots of BLITZEN on the shop floor next to a similar colour Metris. They were hosting Mercedes reps from MB USA, MB Canada, and the new South Carolina Sprinter factory.

The silver Sprinter provides a good illustration of their pop-top installation. They are also drawing attention to their seat/bed system with track-rail flooring.

[CdnVWJunkie]

Cool photos. Any idea where they were shot?

[Trail Talk]

Originally Posted by CdnVWJunkie

Cool photos. Any idea where they were shot?

Yeah, at the Travois facility in L'Orignal, Ontario, near Ottawa.