Any chance thats an old 2015/2016 Telstra fibre splicing sprinter van? Happens to be my current work van. Was thinking how well it would do on a trip. Would love to buy it once it goes to auction. Did you get this one from Pickles auctions and how much? Please keep posting vids, wanna see more.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn3 ай бұрын
Yep, that what it is. We bought this one through a dealer at the height of the covid inflation.....so we paid a lot more than I thought it was worth, but there were absolutely none about. They seem to be being resold in the 60s now unless they have a lot of kilometres. The GVM of 3550 is a challenge during fit out, if you want to carry plenty of fuel and water. A lot of the campers have a GVM of 4100 kg. But if you can keep it light everything is better. I would be really interested to know what your work van weighs on an average day. I'm pretty sure I took more Telstra weight out than I put camper fitout back into it. Those steel shelves and the wall cladding are heavy!
@gunnatravel3 ай бұрын
Hi guys your Motorhome is looking good. We are now retired and looking at a merc 4x4 also, yours looks like it handles what ever you seem to throw at it , just a matter of knowing your limitations i suppose. Safe travels and All the best Steve and Deb
@teece624 ай бұрын
Hi guys … I’m about to take delivery of my sprinter and I’m curious to know … do you have a rear locker fitter and if so, where / who fitted it. Love your videos.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn4 ай бұрын
We have thought about it quite a lot. In the end we decided to leave it until we were really sure we needed it, and it is really worth doing. All the KZbin reviews are by people in the US who are invested in selling them, and they always show them being used while the van is in 2wd. That tells me something. To me, the big thing against fitting one, aside from the cost, is that you are fitting parts that have to be special ordered in from Turkey, which would be a nightmare in remote Australia should you need to replace a broken part. Also, with experimentation I have found that it is more capable standard than it seems. It just needs a certain technique and very low tyre pressures. And I really do think lack of suspension travel is more limiting than the open diff. And the rear locker does not address the open centre diff, which can negate the usefulness of the locked rear axle. This explains the KZbin 2wd. If yours is the new AWD it might be different. For sure a locker should be better than no locker, but is it needed? For now we are going to fit a winch instead. We may yet go with the locker. We will see. I did find that ARB Maroochydore Qld. had fitted some, and there was a 4x4 drive train guy near Woodford who sounded pretty clued up on them.
@teece624 ай бұрын
Thanks for the reply. It seems we’re on the same line of thinking. Mine is the AWD which by all accounts is “more capable” than the 4WD … but it’s Achilles heel being opposing wheels being airborne. I’m thinking a good winch … suspension and rescue gear are a better investment. Safe travels and I might see ya on the road.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn4 ай бұрын
@@teece62 Actually in our 4wd, the system that brakes a spinning wheel does a pretty fair job of helping you through the opposing airborne wheel situations on hard surfaces. You just have to understand the time lag and learn how to work with it. You can't use it in sand.
@damienkillalea38634 ай бұрын
Great to see you enjoying the Sprinter. Based on my experience (towing Ulti camper-trailer across the Simpson, Googs Track, Ngala Rocks on Fraser without missing a beat, and cruising up the big dune out of Cape Flattery, nothing helps more than low tyre pressures (as well as switching off traction control). If you stuck with 18 and 23 psi, you'll experience a huge improvement dropping down to say 10 and 12 even if only for the tougher dunes. I'm not sure what tyres you were running, but good ATs with 3-ply sidewalls (like BFG KO2s) at these low pressures will help too.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn4 ай бұрын
Those pressures were set very hot just before we went up the easy side of Big Red. They would have been a fair bit lower went we went into the desert proper early the next day. But yes I should have made note of where they were at. I agree totally about tyre pressures. I literally learned to drive as a kid on the sand on Moreton Island in an Austin A30, and later VW buggies and old land cruisers, but this thing is a whole new experience. Having said that I have since experimented with pressures on our local sand island, trying them as low as 16 and 17 psi. It's a pretty tall heavy vehicle so I'm going a bit at a time. Some of those desert dunes put a lot of side load on things. We had Bridgestone AT duellers 265/70/16, but we have just fitted the same tyres in 225/95/16. We tested them back to back, doing the same trip two days in a row. A bit more height, a longer footprint, a bit less drag and no more weight. We think they are better. Drove past a bogged ford Everest, and a bogged VW Amarock in deep sand the other day. Not saying they knew what they were doing but I'm getting more confident in what the sprinter can do. Next experiment is a sway bar disconnect off road.
@TheTravelBug1235 ай бұрын
Turn your traction control off 👍🏽
@lnhojr5 ай бұрын
Diff lock required, watch USA AWD Sprinter reviews
@cliff15516 ай бұрын
4:08 what about snakes
@maximusreed6 ай бұрын
Planning to buy a jayco all terrain van sprinter lab so this got my interest
@surfing4theloveofit7 ай бұрын
Good luck guy's, how do you find the sprinter on fuel ⛽ is it desiel or petrol? The inside looks nice.😊
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn7 ай бұрын
Thanks. It's a 4 cylinder diesel turbo, and unfortunately to my mind, an auto. It varies depending on conditions, hills, speed, and especially wind from 10.8 to 14.5 litres/100, but the overall average seems to be around 12.5. Ours has the lowest diff ratio so it will guzzle a bit at 110, but that ratio is the best off road, especially with bigger tyres. 100kph is fine.
@jjbee92297 ай бұрын
Hello, We Love your videos, and we love your 4x4 mercedes setup. It's great to see how capable your van is. If you have time, would you be able to do a walk-around video of your build. The snowing video through the windows and outside is awesome 👌
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn7 ай бұрын
Thanks. Yes we will do a walk around before too long, I'm just wanting to get a few more things finished first.
@giantkingsquid7 ай бұрын
Huge Carp! Hit me up if you want to go all wheel driving sometime. I’ve got an Outback that goes pretty hard.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn7 ай бұрын
But Tom the title of this video explains that we leave the Outbacks behind
@giantkingsquid7 ай бұрын
@@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn touché
@aussiebackroadadventures992710 ай бұрын
Noice video you two. Go Fuggly.
@ImprovingFactories11 ай бұрын
You're amazing. Crossing the Simpson in a van !!?! You have the more comfortable car ever (compared to LC 79). I never thought it was possible. Do you have a transfer gearbox in this van ? I mean with a real Low-Range ? Whatever, Congratulations to both of you. Kiss from New-Caledonia
@richardwalsh557011 ай бұрын
Why wasn't the front left wheel spinning when you were hung up on the bank?
@bugmeister404 Жыл бұрын
Great to see a van based adventure channel that’s not just stuck on bitumen 👍
@mlungisichonco2196 Жыл бұрын
Much appreciation for sharing video ....GOD bless u😊
@grahames9228 Жыл бұрын
That damper certainly looked pretty good.
@mickowens9839 Жыл бұрын
Not a bad run on stock road tires and standard suspension. Most Sprinters I`ve seen from America have upgraded and they all are currently bogged at Burning man
@KevIsOffGrid Жыл бұрын
All good fun that :)
@robbot9877 Жыл бұрын
it's not in 4wd.
@lnhojr5 ай бұрын
Diff lock required. Watch USA video reviews
@robbot98775 ай бұрын
@lnhojr, neither front wheels were spinning so either it's broken something or it's not in 4wd. A locker is not gonna change that.
@lnhojr5 ай бұрын
@@robbot9877 watch reviews and then you will understand. Rear diff lockers can be fitted. Changed capabilities greatly. Others wise it will only use traction control which is fine but you can still turtle vehicle
@lnhojr5 ай бұрын
@@robbot9877 also there is a built-in safety mechanism that will disengage AWD if over rev/spin
@robbot98775 ай бұрын
@@lnhojr fitting a rear locker isn't going to change the fact that the front wheels weren't spinning, therfore not 4wd
@TAM-gz5tc Жыл бұрын
You need a high lift and wider rims and tyers suggest BF Goodrich all terrains. Learn about tyre pressures to use to clime sand dunes. Your shock control is not good suggest Bilsteins. Higher tyres will require transmission regearing. You also need a bull bar winch set up.
@michaelaustin5888 Жыл бұрын
Awsome I think your front wheel drive only engages if the front wheels turn as its front wheel assist other wise good video
@mikehzz9848 Жыл бұрын
The front wheels weren't spinning so you may have thought you were in 4 low but maybe the electrical acuators hadn't grabbed properly. That's the trouble with modern systems.
@notsorare Жыл бұрын
I’ve seen a video with a sprinter in rocky terrain , one front wheel half a metre in the air and still completely locked up so… I’m wondering why yours isn’t working successfully I have a grand Cherokee with the Merc 3 litre diesel and possibly the same drive train system and it is just like having a full set of lockers when engaged!
@Mark_Bridges Жыл бұрын
Good video, thanks for showing us how your van went on the sand. No bad, as it turns out, better than I expected. You mentioned a way to spin the seats around to face the back - I reckon that would make a big big difference, if it isn't too much money and effort to change to a bucket seat on the left and add the spinny bits. Regarding the beeping with traction control off - you mentioned in reply to another commenter than it's a bit annoying - it would drive me batty, I'd be under the dashboard trying to disconnect the damn beeper. Apart from all that, it was good to see the desert through your camera, it hasn't changed that much in the 32 years since I was there except for a few more tracks over Big Red.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
There is a big metal box arrangement that the seat is mounted on that I have filled with house batteries and circuit breakers. I think I would have to change all of that to go to a single bucket. Yes a switch on the warning beeper would be good
@eatcommies1375 Жыл бұрын
That’s awesome & ballsy, Simpson with a sprinter👍
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@lorenzeyewear Жыл бұрын
it didnt look like you where in 4x4 as neither front wheels where spining
@anthonylayt6188 Жыл бұрын
Great video. I really enjoyed it. I do not know these vehicles but the following may help. I read in the comments how expensive the rear diff locks are but is it feasible to have the rear shimmed internally to tighten it up ? With regards to suspension travel one of the limiting factors is the shock absorbers. You may be able to find longer shocks to allow more sag /droop on the rear . If you do watch out the length of the brake lines are okay. If the front is IFS / CVs check to see if you can trim the rubber bump stops on the sag side of the travel. This is a popular mod on Gen 2 Pajeros. It allows more travel. Watch the brake lines again and that the CV stays in place at full droop. Another trick is to apply a light pressure on the brake to limit wheel spin up which gives better drive to the wheel on the ground. This should only be done sparingly. Keep up the good work . Cheers Tony.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
The whole design of the rear suspension is a bit compromised. Especially the location of the shock absorbers. Possibly to keep the load space as big and flat as possible. I think the spring itself has limited movement, but I'm trying to come up with a plan. The front is a transverse leaf! I think made from a composite material no less.
@grahameroberts8109 Жыл бұрын
Maybe if you find a dune with those big holes, stop, get out the long handled shovel and fill them up or smooth them out. With lower tyre pressures and 2nd gear low, you should make it up in one go. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers 👍🏻🙏👍🏻
@spudboy1328 Жыл бұрын
Not sure they have a low range gearbox...
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Yes it has a low range, but it is a much taller ratio than a typical 4x4. @@spudboy1328
@spudboy1328 Жыл бұрын
@@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn OK - I've only experience with VW Kombi/Crafters, and they don't have a low range. Lucky you've got that.
@8080naderane Жыл бұрын
beautiful trip
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
thanks
@4x4smile Жыл бұрын
Personally i think if you are going to play with lockers on a van you are likely asking for trouble (snapped axle or cv). Id go winch, far simpler and with a 30m second strap you will likely alway be able to reach something. With the simpson the winds shape the dunes. To travel west to east is easier because the western faces are generally not as steep as coming from the east. I remember one dune in particular you would likely not get over. It had a long run up and 80% of the way up you had to turn left 90deg drive another 10m then turn right and punch through an almost vertical top 1m of the dune. I remember only seeing sky for 15 seconds then immediately had to turn right 90 deg to not fall into a wind hollow. We had a 2wd hilux with us and end up he got stuck on that dune and through a snatch bad anchor point lost his brake lines. The desert is not a place to be messed with, imagine being 80% across and finding a part impassable, not enough fuel to turn back but an impassable object in front. Don't want to end up a statistic. Myself after doing it once id only do it with some sort of communications and a second vehicle if possible. We went through 200l of water in 5 days while crossing it with 3 people and had around 60l left over. Its ok going in 50 odd km where you were because you could potentially walk out if you could carry 20l of water. Anyways great series have fun.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
This was just a test run, but we do carry a sat phone and a PLB, and the van has two water tanks totalling 180 litres, but the plan is always to never need the first two. I would never attempt to walk out. I agree with the west to east for a full crossing but there is still at least one concerning dune that way on the WAA line. Last year in a BT50 we went solo from Birdsville on the WAA into the NT and then up the Hay River Track. Obviously a more capable vehicle, but we had no issues with any dune, but the conditions change daily and it's pot luck as to what you get, and what sort of vehicles and drivers have gone before you. On that trip there was someone coming west to east with a camper trailer that had been trying to get over that concerning dune for half a day. They had made an awful mess of the track. Interestingly, using a gentle approach to climbing dunes, I got better fuel consumption in the desert than I did on the drive from Brisbane. The 80 km of corrugations at the top of the Hay were easily the worst I have seen, and damage from them would be one of my biggest concern in the van. The broken axle has crossed my mind as has a winch. Pros and cons.
@4x4smile Жыл бұрын
Looking at where you got hung up. With sand my discovery 4 you have to turn off the traction control system, if you don't it will effectively stop you. Most people dont realise this (its in the manual 4x4 driving on sand) and you see them bogged at inskip etc. Turn it off and where you just got bogged you can drive right over. When you got hung up 1 rear wheel spinning this is where a centre diff lock comes in. With a centre lock it will thow power to the front and rear equally and if 1 wheel spins you only lose drive to one end of the vehicle. This is where a rear locker comes in, essentially both rear wheels are locked together when engaged. You are right to question the traction control system because it let one rear spin its head off. Some tcs are not as good as others and is normally demonstrated by putting the vehicle on 3 sets of rollers. If the tcs is any good it should grab the spinning wheels and send power to the one with traction. Some so called 4x4's fail this test. Wonder if you had tcs disabled, some tcs systems take a good 30 seconds of spin to wake up and divert power. Landrovers are the leaders here and almost immediately divert power and actually negates the need for a rear locker, although it is an option. Id probaby add a winch before playing with lockers, a 30m static strap and another 30m of dynema can normally reach some sort of an anchor to winch off of. It great to see you guys out there. I agree with you in your van, the ability to escape the flies/rain can make all the difference. Best thing is you guys see it. BTW the flies can be a lot worse at birdsville, last time we were up there peoples backs where black in them, and we hid in the car.
@surfing4theloveofit Жыл бұрын
The only way to have all wheels driving is to have lockers, even in 4x4 you have a limited slip diff , which will send drive to the wheel with least resistance coursing wheel spin, this where diff lockers come in but they are expensive if I'm wrong for this view point could someone please let me know , I don't have lockers either 😉 I have a troopy.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
A front and rear diff lock plus a centre diff lock between the front and rear is a good as it gets. Iveco 4x4s were like this. This video link is very interesting though. It shows what is possible with the Sprinter system. It also shows how slow it is to react. It shows it driving from just one front wheel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5OphIprnqmYoJI
@4x4smile Жыл бұрын
You are right, what the merc is missing by the looks is the LSD and the centre lock. Your troopy has both of these. Some 4x4 have better traction control systems than others, they can make a massive difference and negate the need for front and rear lockers in most cases but you still really need a centre lock at a minimum for this case, looks like the merc TCS is not so good.
@4x4smile Жыл бұрын
Yeah 12 seconds to react, interesting. I've seen 4x4 tests with worse results on the roller tests :).
@surfing4theloveofit Жыл бұрын
Great effort when you got stuck, good to have the maxtrax and a shovel 👍you will be surprised at how many people don't even have a shovel with them, I like the way you present the video in a calm and relaxed manner, well done to both of you, I enjoying every part, thank you for sharing ❤ 👍 stay safe from rick in Perth Australia 🇦🇺 😊
@4x4smile Жыл бұрын
That's pretty cool. We had around 14 psi to do the Simpson in a landcruiser, they are normally at 70 on bitumen. What pressures were you running? That climb up big red is pretty impressive, one of the hardest in the whole Simpson. 1500 dunes between where you are and dalhousie springs. Bit of an eye opener how capable that van is mind you I used to get my 1977 Toyota hiace many spots where it was 4x4 only and that was 2wd. Nice vid thanks for sharing.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
I set them hot at 18 and 23 hot straight from the drive from Windorah, but we didn't go into the desert proper until early the next morning. With the cold morning I recon 14 and 19. Once in the ball park I tend to judge the sidewall bulge. Maybe I could have gone lower at the back, but it's nearly 3500 kg and tall, and some of these dunes are off camber. I'm still learning about it really, so I was a bit cautious . It feels very different to your typical 4x4 ute.
@surfing4theloveofit Жыл бұрын
Most of these holes are created by to hard tyer pressure's and spinning there wheels, makes it hard for you guys 😢
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Yep. And some like to like to stay full throttle even when they have started to go downwards instead of forwards.
@surfing4theloveofit Жыл бұрын
What's the beeping noise 🤔
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Because the traction control applies brake to a spinning wheel it is best to turn it off in the sand,..there is a switch for this, but apparently it is never 100% off unless you go into the dash menu and select "Rolling Road or Dynometer Mode" It's a bit of a last resort. When you do this you get that warning beep. It's annoying for sure, but it is a bit messy to select so I left in that mode for a bit, thinking I had another tricky dune coming up. I only used it a couple of times.
@surfing4theloveofit Жыл бұрын
Great video guys, you may have to give the suspension lefted a bit , your ground clearance looks a bit low , love to know what you've done to the sprinter, it's not ugly it's a good van, 😂❤ from rick in Perth Australia 👍
@craigtomkinson2837 Жыл бұрын
Lovely Ep Guys, Maybe your 4wd needs better shockies fitted and diff locks maybe
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Rear locker is on the wish list, but expensive for these vans. I have Koni 88s on the front, which seem good, and Fox adjustables on the rear, which have been great on my previous vehicle, but look well underdone on the dunes. I didn't see the video until afterwards. They were way too soft in the settings I think. The design of the springs and the way the axle is spaced away from them doesn't help.
@craigtomkinson2837 Жыл бұрын
@@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn ok sounds like you are all over it,
@craigtomkinson2837 Жыл бұрын
Lovely Ep guys.
@Ranger670 Жыл бұрын
A bit of reality on KZbin! Thank you. I'll be watching with interest. I've subscribed. Safe travels.
@bill13690 Жыл бұрын
I have subscribed first time chaps. From William Mount Gambia-South Australia.
@steamy38 Жыл бұрын
We have just stumbled over your channel and enjoyed your videos, good content. Look forward to any future videos. Like to hear what you find out about the traction system on your sprinter. It did seam odd you didn’t get any drive on the front wheels when you got hung up. cheers Jeff & Sharyn
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
I think I just needed to give it more time for the computer to work out what wheels to brake. It doesn't have a centre diff lock, so it relies on the computer to move drive around by locking the brakes on spinning wheels.
@Hapi2bpba Жыл бұрын
All the best - it is hard to watch when paning around too fast or zoomed in too close.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
yep, we'll work on it
@Straitjacket8087 ай бұрын
Great video. What an awesome van ❤
@tommygreens1 Жыл бұрын
We have a 4x4 drive Explorer motor home and have wondered just how capable the 4x4 vans such as your Sprinter are. Pretty good I would say after watching your video (better that I expected). We have taken ours across the Simpson as part of a tagalong group and yes the holes on the dunes are a big pain. We had our tyres down to 10 psi to get up one particular dune. We also made it up one of the harder tracks on Big Red - but it took us several attempts - so well done you.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
I rather like those explorers. Like our Sprinter you don't really see them show what they are capable of.
@jjbee9229 Жыл бұрын
I like your content and honest video style. Keep up the great work. P.S. please keep the videos coming. P.P.S. Loved that table setup, keeping it simple is the best. 👍
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Thanks. We might have one more video inn the short term, and then we'll see what happens a bit further down the track.
@jjbee9229 Жыл бұрын
Just found your channel, we're looking forward to seeing your travels in a 4x4 sprinter.
@BenMitro Жыл бұрын
What a great video. Yeah, I don't know about the sprinter 4x4, with my subaru its pretty quick grabbing the spinning wheel but I saw a Jimny take forever to apply the brake on the spinning wheel. They do rely on the brakes, perhaps your rear brakes are worn, or were hot when you got stuck? Regardless, what a great adventure and what a great choice of vehicle.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Yes I have seen the Subaru in action. It's way quicker to work out what is going on. Brakes are not worn, but a bit underdone for this vehicle generally I feel. In hindsight I should have tried the handbrake in that circumstance.
@Tillerman56 Жыл бұрын
Those locomotives were there already in 1995. Their colors and condition seem not to have changed since then. What I find striking is that they are not covered in ugly graffiti all over, as they would have been over here, in Holland.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
Good point, maybe I've sold Maree a bit short.
@Brad.whatthe Жыл бұрын
Those 3 Irish wolf hounds never had collars or breast plates so they wouldn’t want to show themselves to the station owners like that
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
They had collars. We were a little concerned that they may had left an injured stockman or something. Unusual dogs to be out there as working dogs I would have thought, but I really don't know.
@philg2468 Жыл бұрын
Normally when you get to a flooded Eyre Creek, it spans out over many dunes. You were at the start of the Goonamillera bypass track - head north 40ks to the stony crossing - its a nice drive and the waterhole at Goonamillera can be teeming with birdlife. You did well to get the Sprinter van across those dunes - just looking at it, taller tyres would make a big difference to its 4wd ability, but not sure how big you can go with a Sprinter. My Troopy has tall skinny tyres - 225/95R16 and with the tyre pressures down, it gets a really long footprint and you can easily walk it over those chopped up dunes.
@WeHitTheRoad-qo8wn Жыл бұрын
We have 265/70/16s on it. roughly 31 inch. 33s will easily fit, we did fit one to check clearances, but decided not to push our luck legally. The stock tyres are only 225/75 from memory. I'm not sure how far you can push your luck with the computer and wheel speed changes either. In the end I also knew that the 265/70 can be found nearly anywhere, so we went with that. The desert has made me think twice about it though.
@4x4smile Жыл бұрын
Just make sure you meet the load ratings if you change tyres.
@notsorare Жыл бұрын
On this video your system seems to be working fine