I Re-Built my Mercedes Sprinter - Was it Worth it?

I Re-built my T1n Sprinter ex-ambulance from the ground up last year, using the entire internal workings of a Donor van. One Year on I can finally look into if it was Worth it?
The process took 4 months and would also change the van from semi-auto to Manual. Being a novice mechanic, it took some serious hard work as I very quickly found myself out of my depth.
But we got there and straight out of the door we had to drive 1000 miles across continent.
We faces some issues and alternations that were needed but after a year of driving I can now reflect on whether the whole process was worth it.
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#oneyearlater #rebuiltcamper #vanlifeeurope

[@feckneddy]

Your rebuild videos were amazing. You managed something you were told would NOT Work . You should be proud . I hope you have got your work /life balance more sorted and we can look forward to your content in the future.

[@capri2884]

I am glad you are back making videos, i have missed them, they make me laugh. For the last two years i have been in and out of the hospital and your video's helped me setting my mind to something else. The rebuild of Amber is something you must be very proud of. I have so much respect for you for taking on that enormous job while everybody was telling you it can't be done. And the video's you made about that whole endeavour were so entertaining on so many levels to me, thank you. I understood the reason you stopped you-tubing and hope that there can be a good balance between being a youtuber and your private space and time, that people can and will respect that.

[@ManxAndy]

Can’t beat a manual gearbox…..it just gives you total control, auto boxes can’t see the hill coming, and by the time you are on the hill, and it decides to change down, it to damn late…….it was an amazing build , and one that not many people could have undertaken……👍🇮🇲👌

[@jenesisjones6706]

I am 67, and I have never liked or used an automatic gear box. I like to be in control 🙃 . I would say it was definitely worth the effort required for your van refit!.

[@alanhat5252]

I was with you until I met some exceptions, autos are generally horrible. Quite a few busses & works trucks had a semi-auto by Self Changing Gears of Coventry which hasn't got any 'auto' about it, just a torque converter instead of a clutch, double-declutching clutchless with an 11 litre Diesel with a quarter-ton fluid flywheel is "interesting" but apart from that great to drive. Then I met a BMC Mini auto where you could select your choice of gear & recently I have a Honda CVT which is a joy (on-road at least, I've never tried off road). The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is basically a pair of variable cones connected by a belt like a DAF Variomatic or a Zenith Gradua but it's computerized & linked to the engine's computer with the result that it doesn't feel like there's any gears at all (unless you use the up/down paddles under the steering wheel). Zero to top speed with just a throttle, no clutch to pump or gearlever to row it along with. It's even got engine braking!

[@kenleach1198]

Amber is back! Bloody awesome ground up project of unknown

[@johnrimmer1228]

As much as it’s nice to see you and Amber enjoying the WRC stage rally, where’s Emma and more importantly Lance ? we want lance we want lance ❤. Happy new year to you all, hope it’s a great year for you 🎉

[@Dieseldog1]

I'm an engineer and in my youth would change an engine, or gearbox from the haynes manual, but I'm old, the odd wire and the odd mechanical F up like my flywheel comming loose as I forgot to tighten it after being called for lunch by mum, was about as perfect as i got, think mark 1 escort.....what you have have acomplished, you should be very proud of ! modern vehicles are a completely diferent challenge

[@unpluggedkiwi1063]

And 'stick around' I most certainly shall. Always a highlight when you post a new clip.

[@carolynandcocohaywood2638]

I think you did an amazing job rebuilding it. You deserve so much credit for doing it. Maybe a bit of maintenance on your fire exit route, just in case you need to use it anytime, in case of fire or other emergency.👍 I hope you and Emma have a happy healthy 2023.

[@TravelswithaPodengo]

Happy New Year to you both and the cheeky Lance. Thank you for the update and I hope we are treated to more vids of your new life this year. Take care and stay safe.

[@bodgerliz5138]

Good. Nice to see you happy. And Amber so capable.

[@johnbell4845]

Great to have you back, and sounding so positive 👍 Happy New Year to all at Project Amber

[@nigelweaving9045]

Great video and so glad to hear all your work, scrapped knuckles and frustrations were all worth it. Best wishes to you, Emma and Lance.

[@peterhadfield873]

Nice to see you again. Happy new year!

[@stanjumble3567]

Great to see a catch up video. Can't wait to see the 2023 plans come to fruition. Love your channel.

[@aidanmaccormac9125]

Enjoying the Vids. Wishing you all the Best for 2023.

[@kevinnye5132]

The best thing about the rebuild CJ is that you did it and now know it’s relatively all good 👍🏻, Amber even thought she was an Ambulance again for a few minutes racing along the track 😉. Looking forward to 2023 and hopefully some adventures from you and vicariously from me lol 😂, take care both 👌🏻 oh I mean 3 including Lance Ofc .

[@kennethcroll6972]

TY JC for the update on amber, good to see all that hard work payed off. all the best for 2023

[@sportgliderider]

great video, glad the van worked out so well, some stunning views around there. stay safe and keep smiling.

[@richtea7868]

Great to see you again! Hope you are happier now and will get to se more of you coming up! Really interesting video again, I cant believe what you achieved with no mechanical experience

[@junerobinson8169]

Love to see you back..i think alot of your subscribers have really missed you, we definatley have..hope to see more of you in 2023.

[@murrayblair67]

What a brilliant job ! What a good van now We missed you

[@johnbentley4695]

Good to see you back ...Happy New year

[@mickwhitney922]

I couldn't believe what I saw at the South central meeting with your van sorted and going. It was very nice to meet you 😊 and I hope you have a good new year

[@1Polglen]

I think your are amazing with what you did on the van. Best wishes for a safe and happy 2023.

[@lazylad8544]

You did an excellent job rebuilding your van. Some of the videos were hilarious and some we shared your frustration. But your a tough old nut. (Excuse the phrase). You got through it with Emma's help and a few ciders. Happy new year to you Emma and Lance. Hope you have a pleasant 2023. 👍👍👍

[@gadgetfellow]

Amazing effort on the van, glad you worked through all the issues and you are happy with the result. Loved this video, very professional💯💯💯

[@p3692]

Happy new year and thank you for the update, alway enjoy watching your videos, thank you for sharing

[@deniscudahy4549]

Happy new year to you and of course Lance 🎉🎉🎉 great to see you back

[@martinross5634]

Been with on this rebuild and felt your pain. I'm so glad things are working out for you. Oh by the way, nicely put together video. Thanks!

[@michaelsilva8029]

We just cannot enough of what you do!!! Great Stuff 👏👏👏

[@20oxford]

Nice to see you back.

[@jameseddison5356]

That rebuild took so much from u CJ. But gave u yr freedom back which was the goal I remember the highs n lows . And felt all of them with you as did thousand of others along with journey. So once again thankyou for your awesome content. Je

[@shropshireladoutdoors743]

Great to see the video hope you enjoyed your trip back to the uk for Christmas and looking forward to more videos of what you are doing on the land in 2023

[@kennedyholden7838]

It's absolutely amazing what a ambulance can do you have given me so much inspiration for my own when I get mine of the ground

[@ianmyers1190]

So good to see you back here again. I hope that you are in a happier mind space and that Emma and Lance are doing well too.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

That "Mercedes Sprint -Shift- Shit" semi-automatique is just like a machine-room telegraph on an old steamer: You better send the bosun down there once maneuvering needs exact, well-timed reaction in terms of power and direction. I reckon You could also have had a good weld-up of the already exposed donor frameworks and change the living-quarter box onto the 5speed car rendering that the receptical and semiauto-airbubblesprung rusty-cab original Amber into the donor. Having done a nightmare of a Sprinter Van restoration with two donors of different earlier birth years where next to nothing was fitting into my last year car without tricky tweaking, I would think the cabin change was the easier route - not putting the substance of Your 5speed's cabin and engine-room into the equation. Had nearly two m2 of bent and fabbed tin in mine once everything was rebuilt to my personal spec, most of it places I never planned to weld in the first place because "looks good from outside", and not yet counting the prefab tin parts I got from Mercedes and third party parts suppliers (although just a few tbh). Thanks for sharing, and all the best for 2023!

[@stirlingmotors]

Glad to see you back, and the vans running great,,good to meet you on the ferry on your way back to UK.👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@peterbromley6268]

Nice to see you back at the van looks to be running well cheers Pete

[@Anniesrandommoments]

Happy 2023 to you both and of course not forgetting Lance 🐾 I wish you all the very best. Take care and drive safe 🤗

[@jackiesmith8622]

Great video, you did a brilliant job on the van. Miss your videos has you always make me laugh, hope to see more and happy new year to you Emma and Lance.

[@iantowse743]

Good to see you a post again. Can’t wait for more.

[@kieranb3815]

Love it. And glad you are back to your best.

[@johnbateman3244]

Amazing video as always. Your videos are always a must watch. I sat through every advert because I know it helps your algorythm and would have happily sat through twice as many to see your videos. Its always a pleasure when your notifications pop up. I can't afford a patreon subscription as I'm a pensioner on a fixed income. But your videos are a breath of fresh air. Take care 💙❤️👍

[@rogerburn21]

Great to see you back CJ

[@davidantony2734]

Epic achievement. Thank you for sharing.

[@Witteringtrucker]

You do make me chuckle. Superb video as always buddy. 👌

[@kathlucy603]

Enjoyed the update. I hope you will also show us what you guys have been doing on the land. 😊

[@Island_Times]

I've not even watched this yet . I commented many many years ago when you considered scrapping the van when the gearbox went . I still maintain that at the end of the day this is your house , so what price do you value your house and its maintenance ! Also , yes the van is ageing BUT the older tech is easier to maintain generally , now you have land and a base you can amass and store spares for it as and when you find them and while available . Now the van is predominantly based overseas on your block and potentially doesnt travel as much , you might consider a mini me van for general use and odd weeks away thats more economical to run and newer but also considered a "throw away" item if it all F's up . Keep it up mate !

[@suziemc5291]

nice to see your vlog again, glad your doing ok x

[@roberthardy2013]

Yippee you’re back! You seem to have put some serious development work on it. Wish I was doing something similar but I am sat in Warwick hospital waiting for the blood thinners to kick in instead - ah well it’ll be all right on the night as they say. I have an auto Subaru with paddles as well,bloody great either way and VERY competent on grit and snow. All the best for you two down there .

[@richiebainbridge2608]

You never disappoint , thanks.

[@chrismartin5772]

Great video Well done on all the work you had to do on it

[@dougle03]

Your editing has certainly improved. Some nice sequences with tasteful accents and music choices. You're getting good at this... 👍👍

[@Stage99Photography]

We have missed your Videos! Nice to have you back ;-)

[@nigelbernard]

Nice to see you back, that years gone quickly!!!

[@anthonyg9787]

thank you for this video... miss your work

[@darrenmeaden312]

Love watching these videos 😊

[@johnallotment82]

So glad too see you back,I was thinking we hadn’t seen anything for a while,how is Emma and lance?hope you are all well.and looking forward too seeing more vids.

[@garyedwards1184]

Nice to see you again mate what a beautiful place . You stay safe. Peaky

[@peterbarber5442]

brilliantly made, well done

[@zoidberg444]

You know for what you spent on Amber to buy her more time is definitely worth it! Have you seen used van prices at the moment, in my cases its cheaper to buy new. When you started the rebuild I knew it wasn't impossible seen as its basically what they do on the production line but bloody hell was it a lot of work and surprisingly it went pretty well considering the amount of work it was. Just the sheer amount of stuff that has to come off and then go back on. It was inevitable some of it would cause issues. Glad to know the MPG issues got sorted out. Between running the engine, clean air filter and the bigger tyres the remaining difference in MPG sounds about right. I bet you the 6 speed probably has a slightly taller ratio at the top meaning maybe 200rpm engine difference while cruising at the speed limit. That said the manual is much better for driving a big heavy van around on terrible roads and the 5 speed is probably an older design and has more sturdy internals than the 6 speed.

[@lee-uw2zp]

Hey CJ it was good to see you and lance yesterday , hope you got your washing done and enjoyed the beers All the best Lee 👍

[@timmurless3718]

lovely viewing ,thanks missed the vlogs

[@iancsautomotive]

Brilliant.................. as usual! Thankyou!

[@terryhere3889]

Happy new year 🎉 hope you had a great Christmas 😊

[@ML-jr1yz]

Great , Happy New Year.

[@dontcallmebrave]

omg that "escape route" makes me think you should've found a parts 4x4 sprinter and swapped the 4x4 bits as well 😬

[@goingwildagain]

Inspiration on learning the unachievable even in despair, all credit to you dude Amber looks cool with the workshop.

[@thebikertheblondeandthebul2960]

Great vlog keep them coming

[@skibumirl]

Great van, great video, can't believe it's been a year already.

[@johnkiernan4225]

Good to see you great content as usual that was fun😁

[@michaelweller6097]

Brilliant catch up sorry not to see Emma and Lance I’m shore your looking after them well Happy new year 👍🚌🚌

[@benhollingsworth2494]

Love the video. A year already ?. Can't believe that. Love to see what you've all been doing around the land, since you've been back. Keep the great videos coming.

[@robertlee3734]

nice one fella great video stay safe

[@dannyc4871]

Really pleased all your hard work was worthwhile. You did a great job and are now raping the benefits. Looking forward to your 2023 adventures.

[@rickygreen3967]

Great upload really enjoyed the build series your place is that of dreams is it all yours? The rebuild was worth it the challenge you set yourself was so vast you exited a different man. Can't believe it's been a year already tho. Take care peace outttt

[@rocklover7437]

Brilliant video editing.

[@wobbleboxadventures]

Awsome project you got through the ups and the downs so well. A year already wow time flies. Hope to catch up with you guys have a cider or two around a fire 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍🏻

[@stum8374]

It's a wonder u never broke it again 😉 I hope all three of u had a fantastic christmas/new year 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@FreeBirdUKVanLife]

Miss your vids man. Great to see you again, you did an amazing job. What a roller coaster it was but you did it. 🙂x

[@millinutz]

Well that "fire escape" route certainly upped yer fuel consumption !! Good video, very well edited (as usual) and entertaing to watch. Thx.

[@CharliesVanlife]

Brilliant cj take care and stay safe mucka 😉🙏🙏🤙👊😷

[@itrepairs]

Brilliant video👍🏻

[@wheelsadventures3436]

Well done mate ;). Definitely worth it!

[@loosewheels1000]

You did a great job, it's better to have tried rather than never done it, in the end, you did it, and its something to be proud of.

[@simonwarburton2293]

when you went over the top of that hill and saw the track going up the other side my first thaught was oh shit! but then, erm , challenge accepted!! and like you did not back out of it and went for it great driving mate!

[@badlarry172]

would really love you to start uploading regular again, we've missed you

[@budboy14]

this build series was epic

[@wiggy5355]

Great to see you back CJ. Really interesting video. How many miles off grid are you? Hope Emma and Lance are doing okay.

[@Scud_and_thesTig]

Good review vlog 👍💙❤️

[@bobbysbox6744]

Brilliant camera work

[@denishennessy1318]

Great stuff

[@Pugwash.]

I have never been a fan of automatic gearboxes. You have an extensive back passage to admire too.

[@mortdog]

great video

[@craigmelvin5206]

Enjoyed that mate

[@craigmelvin5206]

It's not that warm in Coventry today, weve had loads of grey days and rain even Christmas day is wet. Did you ever venture into the black horse at spon end,it was knocked down last night. Shame really.

[@kamikazekunze]

Thanks for the video. We always love your work. Imagine what she could do as a 4x4? Maybe your next upgrade? 😂

[@ItsComicKid]

looking forward to more vids

[@adidasmanuk]

Stick around to find out.i hope that means you will be posting more here.i do watch some on pateron but doesn't have the KZbin vibe for me.best wishes to you all for 2023

[@Allan9966]

Awesome video. It must have taken ages to get home with all those drone and drive-by shots! Appreciated though.