Converting a 4x4 Sprinter cargo van for vanlife (ep. 1)

[@SimonBraeck]

New van🤩 we need a name for it, any suggestions?

[@SlveBjercke]

Freevan, vanfried , sortrik 😅

[@TorHveem]

Balder

[@Danj9201]

Magnus

[@emo8021]

Bombadil "Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow! Bright Blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow!"

[@amilasachinthakawijewardan4580]

Avalon

[@michelbackus]

Incredible to have the knowledge and guts to do the whole job!!! I remember your previous van, a T3, which is a very nice and good looking van. But a real trouble maker as well! Once we almost bought a T3, but due to small disadvantages we let it go. And we found a Mercedes MB 100, a very nice and reliable van! Never a single problem on all of our tours through Europe. So your new van is a sensible and smart choice!!! Your will never encounter a single setback on your travels. Greetings Michel

[@JackStolz]

As a vanagon owner I’m sad to see Norris go, but as a man who has had like 15 vans with names here’s some of my favorites to get you excited Van Helsing, Vanny Glover, colossus, Runt, Van Halen, The Vantastic Voyage… the list goes on! Happy trails you two. Sending love from Maine!

[@SimonBraeck]

Some good ones here😄 Thanks!

[@chuckb6691]

Standing room, 4WD, new mechanicals. Your travel stress factor will drop by 99 percent. If you need a good home for Truck Norris, I will be happy to bring it here to Kentucky USA. LOLOLOLOLOL Best wishes and happy trails. Your friend, Chuck in Kentucky

[@SimonBraeck]

You’re probably 100% right! Thanks for the continued support😊

[@billfish5913]

My wife and I looked at building out a Ram Promaster Adventure Van. But as retired psychologist and school teacher, we decided that we didn’t have the skills or patience to do it right. So we bought a 3/4 ton Ram truck and bought a new slide in truck camper with wet bath, kitchen, and queen sized bed. It was three years ago and we have traveled from coast to coast in the USA. But I still admire other campers’ van builds. And we still have our 1978 VW Camper Bus for trips closer to home. Your build is looking great!😎👍

[@ElwoodPDowd-ed7pc]

I also was a VW van owner, 1977 bread loaf to a 1990 Vanagon and a few in between. I have to say, some of the VW camper vans now a days are almost as much $$ as new Sprinter vans. I like the Sprinter van platform, especially the 4x4 version. How much is a Westfalia Syncro these days? A LOT. I had a Westfalia Sprinter hi-top, they call it something different in Europe. It was a 2006 if I remember correctly but was not a 4x4. It had the inline 5 Mercedes turbo diesel engine. I loved it! All the best to you guys!! Looking forward to your journeys in your new van!!

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you 😊 We hope this 4x4 version will serve us well and enable all the exciting adventures we have planned.

[@jamesb8467]

Your videos are so calming to me. I guess it’s the beautiful scenery and mellow vibes but if I’m stressed, I just watch one of you guys videos and I’m grounded and chill by the end…every single time. Thank you! PS-I just sold my over landing vehicle as well. It was a green 80 series Land Cruiser named Bruce Banner. Gone but not forgotten

[@SimonBraeck]

Wow, thanks for the kind words! Glad I can help you in this way, all the best! Exactly, even though they are just "things", we get attached and it's a bittersweet goodbye.

[@jamesb8467]

@@SimonBraeck That’s very true. I hope Bruce Banner gives its next owner as many great memories as it gave me. Keep up the good work and safe travels to you and B.

[@bestofblocket]

Nice to finally see you new camper build 😊 This generation of Sprinter, and with 4x4, is our absolute dream to build and travel with! Also the priciest 😂 I still remember putting the saw through our T5.1 was scary 😅

[@SimonBraeck]

Really fun to get going with another build! And yes, super sketchy to start making holes, although we got used to it surprisingly fast😂

[@donpark8316]

HI, just stumbled upon your channel and thought I would leave a comment. I have been many locations around the world and I've had the fortune of visiting Norway several times for work. Norway has the friendliest people I have encountered and of course it is amazingly beautiful there despite the cold. I wish you two the best with your van build and the coming adventures you will have.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you very much! What a wonderful comment, I really appreciate it. I truly love this country and want to show it to the world and I’m hoping this build will enable doing this even more🤗

[@dutchglobetrotter6464]

Great rig! Please don't use silicone but use a polymere (Polymer) or Sikaflex. Good luck with the built, nice to see the progress.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks for the tip, we'll do our best ;)

[@mmwaashumslowww7167]

What a good start that you have made with the van build. I wasn't exexpecting this and felt nervous when you were cutting through the panels to fit the windows. I have watched many van builds on KZbin and some have had disastrous results, with the inaccurate cutting and the windows wouldn't fit. The factory holes for the roof rack were a blessing for you, as it's less likely to leak and suffer from corrosion with an easier fitting. Lots of work ahead for you installing the essential fittings and heating and electrics are not that easy routing wires and connectors. Looking forward to the next installment and so far, you have made good progress 👍

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you for the kind words! A lot of good inspiration and helpful videos on KZbin showed us some good guidelines on what to do. But all the small things that come up is something we need to figure out as we go. So far we're enjoying it, let's see how long that lasts😂

[@iamgeoffandthisismystory]

What an awesome project! We'll all miss the Vanagon 😢

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks😊 Already miss it a bit…

[@Alex-fy7sc]

omg this is so awesome! so happy for your decision and can't wait to see all the new adventures going on with this beast. Van looks great and i'm so impressed with your skills. I can't even comprehend how much time you spend documented about the new van and after that how to do all the modifications and so on. I mean we will see a couple of videos on this but i know it's a ton of hours days weeks months of planning. you guys are the best. sad you guys are not bigger but happy at the same time because you can bring us things at your own pace in your own way which is so beautiful. You guys are a true inspiration.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you! You're spot on, 100%. Planning and research have taken sooo much time lately, but I hope it will be paid back with a complete setup that suits our need. We keep pushing to get the build complete😀

[@carolinewilson1314]

Staying in husoy in traena inspired by you both..driven all the way here from UK with our dog. Thanks so much we love it

[@Danj9201]

So excited for you 3! Van builds are the best and most frustrating times, I'm sure you'll smash it and Magnus 😉 will be awesome ❤

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you 😄 Naming it is harder than building it😂

[@JosephPuplava]

So fricking cool that you purchased a 4x4 MB van! I can't wait to see the finishing product. I bet you will have a modern, bright interior. I'm from Arizona watching your channel.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks! We’re really looking forward to showing the finished product.

[@golfgolf7692]

After such a long hiatus this is awesome! congrats on the new truck norris and I look forward to all the awesome content! Thank You!

[@SimonBraeck]

Cheers! I appreciate it 😊

[@svenkennethnilsvik7375]

Congratulations😎waiting in excitement for which car you would bet on, and I guessed right👍👍 We have sold our T3 Westfalia and bought a used Mercedes Grand Canyon 4×4 S. Looking forward to following the building process further. I have to say I am impressed by the film, tours, tips and all the work you put into the films. Helsing from Ørsta.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you, the upgrade feels correct for us and for what we want to do going forward. Considered the Hymer as well, but we couldn't afford it😂

[@sequoiasemperviren3163]

I had a hunch you were upsizing in vans! Look forward to more adventures!

[@SimonBraeck]

Rightly so😄 That makes two of us🤝

[@sequoiasemperviren3163]

I need to get back to Norway. Well via Finland first to see my Father’s first cousins. In 2022 I drove up to Nordkapp. Captured the drive with three GoPros. One out to the left, on out to the right, & one straight ahead. Still trying to piece the views to make the trip as virtual as possible. Wish I had your cinematic skills.

[@grast961]

So different from you working on Truck Norris in the underground car park of your apartment, can’t wait to see the finished van and the next chapter in your adventures 😊

[@SimonBraeck]

Good point! Times have changed😃 Thanks, we keep pushing🔨

[@DanielErnst]

Can’t wait to see this beast 🙌 so nice! And what a bad luck with the crash, so annoying!

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks Daniel🥰 I am hopeful that it will turn out decent! Haven’t found time to sit down and watch your Greenland masterpiece, but it’s on the list👌🏼

[@asleiversen6968]

I m so impressed how rough and cool it looks all ready .cant wait to se the final result 👍👍👍👍

[@SimonBraeck]

Da e vi to😍😎

[@glenmurray8447]

We’re looking to size up from our T6 camper to a Sprinter next year so very much looking forward to seeing your conversion. Excellent progress so far.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you! Maybe you'll see a thing or two that can inspire or give some ideas for your Sprinter 😊

[@glenmurray8447]

@@SimonBraeck hoping to be inspired 😃

[@mssuo]

Great to see another beautiful project come to life 👍

[@SimonBraeck]

I appreciate it, thanks!

[@joachimhoog7495]

Så himla roligt att följa denna utmaning!

[@SimonBraeck]

Takk takk!😊🤝

[@TempyBuilds]

New sub here , greetings from Wales , Zulu is so beautiful , sending big hugs to the puppy , looking forward to more vids of the build

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you! She will enjoy the adventures this van will enable🤗

[@arihantj13]

Love you guys. A new journey started. All the best!

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you🙌🏼

[@alananderson5202]

Looking good! Exciting times ahead.

[@jockearonsson5732]

I am so excited for this build on this really solid rig, i know this sprinter will fulfill all your needs when its finished! And i can't wait for all the upcoming traveling videos you will upload on YT and as a Swede i really looking forward the winter content you're gonna make! Where did you buy the side windows? And what sizes are they? I wish you guys the best of luck with the build!

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you! We're really excited too, although there us plenty of work left😅 They're from Carbest, I believe it's 110x45cm.

[@jockearonsson5732]

@@SimonBraeck Well there is no shortcuts when it comes to a dreambuild like this, however now you got some nicer weather to work in atleast 😃 Thanks! And where did you find these insulated side flares/pods? I'm building on a sprintervan myself😅

[@beverleyfisher935]

Woooo hoooo. Cant wait for more of your travels 😊

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks, cheers for new adventures👏🏼

[@Mr_Grumpy]

Awesome work, i wish you the best of luck with the new project. cheers.

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks 😊

[@nikydebernardin356]

Beautiful work. Compliments. Good luck 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks😊👌🏼

[@vladislavkalina2039]

Simply an awesome video (just like all the previous ones). Can't wait for the next episode. I wonder how much extra noise does the roof rack bring. I mean, if you happen to realise that it was not so necessary in the end, would it be not only wasted time and money but also lifelong burden in the form of increased noice? Or is that negligible / not hearable?

[@daverichard3377]

Nicely done ! That’s going to turn into an epic van 🚐 10/10 love watching the build . 🇨🇦🎯👍5️⃣⭐️🚐

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks! I hope so too👏🏼

[@magnefauli]

Dette blir bra! Det skal bli spennende å følge dere videre.

[@SimonBraeck]

Takker! Håper alt går som planlagt😊👌🏼

[@digilux4017]

Så kult, artig å følge dere og ser frem til nye videoer fra fremtidige eventyr

[@SimonBraeck]

Tusen takk! Eventyr skal det bli👏🏼

[@parushaagovender2927]

Hu guts wow wow beautiful van luv it🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤ congratulations ❤🎉

[@SimonBraeck]

Thank you 😊

[@hansblommers6088]

Wow, this is a suprise !!! 👌

[@SimonBraeck]

A pleasant one?😄

[@xxlalbatross3287]

I am a new follower of your channel Greetings from Sweden 😊

[@SimonBraeck]

Greetings! Thank you👏🏼

[@steinjohansen3142]

Gratulerer med ny bil! 🙂 Håper dere slipper å angre på at dere satt inn orginale vinduer i bakdørene, i stedet for 2-lags vinduer lik de andre dere har montert.

[@SimonBraeck]

Takk! Verdt det for utseende👌🏼 Får isolere/mørklegge fra innsiden i dette tilfellet.

[@paulmara2695]

Hi Simon- loved all your videos so far! So inspiring. Hope it's ok to ask....what kind of insulation you used in the video? I'm curious as I'm about to start my own van build :)

[@SimonBraeck]

Hi! Thanks for watching😊 We used Armaflex, easy to work with, firesafe, does not hold moisture. A mix of 19 and 25mm thickness.

[@pman3384]

I'm looking to build a campervan too, I will be following ur progress, well done so far. I really like the big side windows, what brand are they?

[@stephenrogers9664]

More comfort than the T3.

[@DaeliaVanlife]

Nice build where you got this roof rack and how much😊

[@rimwon66]

Lekker hoor. Als je een keer samen op pad wilt voor een overnighter hoor ik het graag.

[@ericbarker2490]

Simon,did you use thread glue on those roof bolts?

[@SimonBraeck]

Yes sir🫡

[@ericbarker2490]

NICE !! Good luck am looking forward to the evolution & new adventures!!

[@Andreas-vw6wx]

Hello 👋 Fellow norwegian here. Did you get those flares from somewhere in Norway or Europe, or did you order from flarespace?

[@SimonBraeck]

Halla😊 goingfast.com - de kommer også med TÜV-papirer👌🏼

[@Andreas-vw6wx]

@@SimonBraeckTakker!

[@johnnygravfort764]

Nice video! Siden dette bare er et tema i Norge, blir spørsmålet på Norsk😊 Er det noe dere må tenke på rundt godkjenning, vekt osv eller trenger dere ikke få den godkjent som camper-bil? Vurderer å gjøre det samme selv😊

[@SimonBraeck]

Hei! Ja, det er en del greier… Står om det på Vegvesenet sine sider, samt i Lovdata, paragraf 2.5 (om jeg husker rett). Begrensninger på total vekt og på akslingene ihht. vognkort. Du man omregistrere fra varebil til campingbil avgiftsfritt dersom man oppfyller en rekke krav, bla. til innvendig høyde, antall sengeplasser, div. innredning mm.

[@johnnygravfort764]

@@SimonBraeck så dere hensyntar dette i byggeprosessen? Følger dere fremover og si gjerne noe om hva dere må gjøre🙏 Si gjerne noe om hvorfor Sprinter og ikke en Crafter☀️👍

[@SimonBraeck]

@@johnnygravfort764 Vi prøver på det ja 😊 Det er ikke god nok ståhøyde i en Crafter for meg, så det måtte bli en Sprinter!

[@erikvanos1273]

As a T25-Westfalia owner it' s really a pity to see that your truck Norris adventures have come to an end. I will keep following you but for me as a V-dub enthousiast it will be different. For me a Sprinter van will never be Das Auto

[@SimonBraeck]

Totally get that perspective. We can never thank the old car enough, as it opened the door for this way of life and we owe it a lot🙌🏼

[@SlveBjercke]

Good luck😊 , where did you order the roof rack ?

[@SimonBraeck]

Thanks! We ordered it from Frontrunner 😊

[@kjetilkvilhaug5086]

Hvilket merke er de store sidevinduene?

[@MrMortenf]

Vekt ?

[@SimonBraeck]

3,1

[@michelbackus]

Incredible to have the knowledge and guts to do the whole job!!! I remember your previous van, a T3, which is a very nice and good looking van. But a real trouble maker as well! Once we almost bought a T3, but due to small disadvantages we let it go. And we found a Mercedes MB 100, a very nice and reliable van! Never a single problem on all of our tours through Europe. So your new van is a sensible and smart choice!!! Your will never encounter a single setback on your travels. Greetings Michel