The Ultimate Gig Van

Rhythm N. Bliss · November 26, 2009, 12:22:28 AM

Fell in LOVE with the big Mercedes van & then discovered that Dodge makes one almost exactly like it called a Sprinter.
They're Class 2 & hold up to 10k lbs. with 13 & a half feet of space & a nice high roof most of you could stand in. Not me, I'm 6'5" but there's one here at the Dodge dealership in Surf City with an extended roof. Cooool

Most of 'em are white & thus look like a big blank canvas to this airbrush artist but I've seen some black ones online & they look BADASS!!!
I'd love to do some Heavy Metal murals on a black one!!!

Anyone got one yet?

5 cyl. TURBO Diesel 20+ mpg

Gotta have one!

I'm livin' in my little Ford Econoline Exexcutive conversion van & it ain't too bad but I'd LOVE a Mercedes or even a Dodge SuperDuperVan!!

I will definitely have one SOON.....

gearHed289 · November 26, 2009, 09:46:52 AM

Those things are hugely popular with my customers (audio/video/lighting companies). The height and huge door openings are great compared to a regular cargo van.

Aussie Mark · November 26, 2009, 02:53:34 PM

Those Sprinters can fly. A few years back I was doing 75mph in my old gig van (6 cyl Ford Transit) and a Sprinter passed me doing at least 90mph

Sven · November 28, 2009, 08:22:20 AM

Lots of vans can do 90mph. Mercedes, Volkswagen, Ford and Renault vans passed me while I was doing about 105mph in my car.

lowend1 · November 28, 2009, 10:14:56 AM

Quote from: Rhythm N. Bliss on November 26, 2009, 12:22:28 AM
Fell in LOVE with the big Mercedes van & then discovered that Dodge makes one almost exactly like it called a Sprinter.
They're Class 2 & hold up to 10k lbs. with 13 & a half feet of space & a nice high roof most of you could stand in. Not me, I'm 6'5" but there's one here at the Dodge dealership in Surf City with an extended roof. Cooool

Most of 'em are white & thus look like a big blank canvas to this airbrush artist but I've seen some black ones online & they look BADASS!!!
I'd love to do some Heavy Metal murals on a black one!!!

Anyone got one yet?

5 cyl. TURBO Diesel 20+ mpg

Gotta have one!

I'm livin' in my little Ford Econoline Exexcutive conversion van & it ain't too bad but I'd LOVE a Mercedes or even a Dodge SuperDuperVan!!

I will definitely have one SOON.....

The Dodge Sprinter is the same vehicle as the Mercedes, and it will soon be replaced by a Fiat / Iveco equivalent. Freightliner also builds them. Yuk.

Rhythm N. Bliss · November 28, 2009, 05:38:54 PM

Quote from: lowend1 on November 28, 2009, 10:14:56 AM
The Dodge Sprinter is the same vehicle as the Mercedes, and it will soon be replaced by a Fiat / Iveco equivalent. Freightliner also builds them. Yuk.

That's what a mechanic friend just told me too, that the Mercedes & Dodges are built by the same guys. WTF??
He said a friend of his wasn't happy with a 5 cyl. Mercedes 2500 & upgraded to a 6 cyl.
There seems to be a problem with them shaking a lot too but maybe that's just the 5 cyl.
Gonna do s'more research.....

Saw a Mercedes one fully converted like a mini Winnebago & it was coool.
Got to look inside the front & back as it was parked & it's quite luxurious.
You'd need a trailer for Gear with that.
I was thinking of just buying the big cargo van & putting gear down below with a sort of "loft" for a bed & cabinets for sleeping & storing clothes an' stuff.
The mini Winne would be AWESOME to travel in style with gear in a trailer.

Rhythm N. Bliss · March 23, 2010, 12:04:22 AM

Saw one the other day in BLACK!
It's being used to sell MONSTER drinks so it has the word MONSTER with 3 green claw marks on each side & just the claw marks on the back & nothin' on the front.
Looks BADASS!!!

Talked to a cat who just bought a white one for 13k. He said it's AWESOME on gas; about 30 miles per gallon!!!!

Hopin' to get one soon for about 10k...

Still DYIN' to get one...

Rhythm N. Bliss · March 23, 2010, 04:35:06 PM

Fed Ex is using these now! Saw one today.

Lots of businesses are scoopin' 'em up.

Denis · March 23, 2010, 07:06:39 PM

Yeah, since Dodge is no longer under the wings (or heel) of Daimler Benz, DB has decided to end the partnership allowing Dodge to market these vans, which are pretty cool indeed. One guy with one told me his got 23mpg at 70mph!

Daimler Benz has owned Freightliner for a number of years and there's a truck plant in Charlotte, NC and a parts manufacturing plant a few miles away in Gastonia.

Pilgrim · March 24, 2010, 02:07:40 PM

Ford has a new delivery van out that seems to be coming on strong...the Transit Connect.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4319682.html

Highlander · March 24, 2010, 02:32:42 PM

Transit has been a (Ford) name in use in the UK for some years... 1965, in fact - UK equivalant of the Econoline... first started driving one (for work) in '83 and owned two (89 thru 96).

The "Connect" in the UK is the same van as in that link and replaced the "Escort" van some years back... came out in 2002

http://transitvanclub.co.uk/transitvan.htm

"Sprinter" is the Merc name in the UK for your Dodge van...

Freuds_Cat · March 29, 2010, 06:25:20 PM

Before the Young Ones there was.......BAD NEWS!

The stuff that Spinal Tap was made from

Vim, Den and Colin outside another house. Vim is ringing the doorbell and sighing.

Vim: Well, where is he?

Den: Which is his bedroom, do you think?

Vim: (through the letterbox) Look, come on, Spi...

Den throws a stone up at the bedroom window. Spider opens the front door just as the window smashes.

Spider: What time d'you call this, then?

Den: Oh, I've smashed the window, Spider. Sorry.

Spider: (looks up at the window) Never mind, Den, it's all anarchy, innit?

Highlander · March 30, 2010, 12:36:37 PM

Is it disturbing that they are commonly known as "Tranny-Vans..." ?

Rhythm N. Bliss · March 30, 2010, 02:12:00 PM

Saw one yesterday painted up with really BAD as in Not Good murals.
From a distance even the waves & sunsets looked poorly executed but up close it was a horrible joke.
Some poor bastid had his nice Sprinter puked on by this wannabe artist. ...& probly paid him to do it!

I am now more determined to have one of these & paint it up righteously.
I'm also gonna make a truckload of money painting vehicles....
Time to sharpen up my airbrush skills....

gweimer · March 30, 2010, 02:46:28 PM

Quote from: Rhythm N. Bliss on March 30, 2010, 02:12:00 PM
Saw one yesterday painted up with really BAD as in Not Good murals.
From a distance even the waves & sunsets looked poorly executed but up close it was a horrible joke.
Some poor bastid had his nice Sprinter puked on by this wannabe artist. ...& probly paid him to do it!

I am now more determined to have one of these & paint it up righteously.
I'm also gonna make a truckload of money painting vehicles....
Time to sharpen up my airbrush skills....

Gonna put some Nagel prints on a few trucks?