Wipe the drool off your chin – you were looking at pictures of 4×4 Sprinters again, weren’t you? Maybe not as over-the-top as this Icelandic 4×4 Sprinter with the 44-inch monster truck tires…
..but something like this Iglhaut?
…or do you secretly have an Achleitner fetish?
Whatever it was, admit it – you want one, bad. So do we all, so do we all – but unlike Europe, there is not a plethora of choices this side of the Atlantic.
The story, near as I can patch it together, seems to be this: Mercedes-Benz makes a factory 4×4 Sprinter, developed by Oberaigner, and sells it in Europe, (and Mexico, and even Australia), but perhaps wanted to see if there were significant Sprinter sales in North America before importing the full model lineup. That led some conversion companies like Sportsmobile, who already make beefy and capable 4×4 Sportsmobiles based on the E-350 chassis, to sense an opportunity, and indeed Sportsmobile made a prototype and was about to invest the effort in a 4×4 Sprinter offering when Mercedes informed them in 2007 that, hey, hold off, MB USA would be getting 4×4 Sprinters soon.
From a 2007 SMB press release: “Sportsmobile West has developed a strategic alliance with Oberaigner GmbH Fahrzeungtechnik, an Austrian four-wheel drive component developer and the manufacturer of four-wheel drive systems installed by DaimlerChrysler…The system includes a new transfer case with independent and front drive axle for shifting power to the front wheels in addition to the stock rear drive system. The system also features a completely engineered and designed front axle assembly and steering system, new drive shafts, and a rear axle kit. System options will include an all-wheel drive permanent system and a four-wheel drive two-speed system. The start-up production date for the Sportsmobile Sprinter 4x4s is Spring 2007.” Here’s a shot of the SMB prototype:
Well, it’s almost 2011 now, and no shiny MB 4×4 Sprinters have yet rolled onto the ramps at any Mercedes-Benz dealership in the USA. And a couple of other actors in the US, small 4×4 conversion companies like Sportsvans Oregon (aka Upscale Automotive) and Salem-Kroger in California are offering 4×4 Sprinter conversions – or maybe will be offering them again soon. The Sportsvans Web site has this to say:
“The Sportsvans™ 4×4 conversion for the early and late model Sprinter is currently being re-designed with no ETA at this time. 4×4 Configurations that will be available for all Sprinters: Permanent 4wd, Permanent 4wd with low range, Selectable 4wd and Selectable 4wd with low range. The Sportsvans™ Rear Diff Lock will be available as an option and compatible with all 4wd configurations. The permanent 4wd system applies 35% power to the front axle and 65% to the rear. The selectable system applies 50% power to the front axle and 50% to the rear when engaged. On the selectable system, 4wd engagement and disengagement can take place on the fly up to about 20mph. On either system, low range can only be activated when stopped, in neutral and with the brake applied. With the Sportsvans™ 4×4 conversions, the ESP, ABS and ASR systems are active and fully functional when in selectable 2wd hi range and when in permanent 4wd hi range…The conversion includes a new transmission case, optional new driveshaft with larger, heavy duty u-joints with Zerk fittings and a much larger carrier bearing…24 gallon fuel tank…and re-uses your own Sprinter’s brake pads, brake caliper, brake rotor, sway bar and power steering rack…4×4 related components will be warranted by Sportsvans™ for 12 months / 12,000 miles. 4×4 conversion pricing…will start at $27,000.”
In reply to my questions for this post, John Bendit from Upscale Automotive commented: “We have had great success with the conversion. As you can see from our video the van is so well balanced, it gives excellent off road performance. On road, they handle almost identical to the 2wd version. Unfortunately, MB will no longer allow Oberaigner to sell us the conversion kit. This is the same scenario that happened with Sportsmobile and Oberaigner. Mercedes/Daimler pulled the plug after one conversion!! We are currently redesigning the kit. This will allow us to make a heavy duty version to meet military specs. We are in a holding pattern with the initial design work done. I would hope to have a finished conversion during the course of the next year or so.”
UPDATE: It’s 2015 now, and we finally have some factory 4×4 Sprinters! Here’s a 2014 Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 van showing off its prowess in the snow.
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