Sprinter Van Conversion: The Ultimate Guide to a Sprinter for Van Life

It’s easy to dream about a gorgeous Sprinter van conversion, ripe with all the bells and whistles you need to live the van life. Sprinter camper vans are good-looking, hardy and roomy – and get great fuel economy – the perfect rig for immersing yourself in nature.

But are Sprinter van campers really worth the cost? A brand new Mercedes Sprinter van costs anywhere between $38,000 and $64,000, and that’s without the camper conversion.

What’s all the fuss about anyway?

In this article, we hope to give you as much information as possible about Sprinter van campers so you can make an educated choice about your camper van conversion.

In fact, we just purchased a Sprinter 2500 4×4 144′ high roof van in September of 2021, and are currently working on a DIY van build.

What is a Sprinter Van?

You may have noticed a variety of Sprinter camper vans when you’re driving down the street, eyeing up what could be your next DIY camper van.

There’s Dodge, Mercedes and Freightliner Sprinters – so, what’s the difference?

There isn’t any. These are all Mercedes vans.

What happened is this: to avoid the 25% chicken tax, Mercedes would build its vans in Stuttgart, Germany, then take them apart to ship them to South Carolina.

That factory put the vans back together as “American-made” vans.  The Sprinters were branded as Dodge between 2001 and 2007.

Then in 2007, Chrysler Split off from Daimler and Dodge Sprinters went away. From there on out, they’re either branded Freightliner Sprinters or Mercedes Sprinters.

Most recently, Mercedes-Benz announced it will finally start manufacturing Mercedes Sprinter vans in the United States. In 2016, the company broke ground on a new $500 million facility in South Carolina to build its commercial vans.

All 2019 Sprinter vans and newer are made in the U.S.A.

Sprinter Van Cost: How Much You Might Spend on a Sprinter Van Conversion

Of all the larger panel vans, Sprinter vans are the most expensive vans to turn into a Sprinter conversion. The most popular vans are cargo vans, which we’ll focus on here. You can buy a passenger or crew van to convert, but I don’t recommend it.

It’s better to cut out your own windows than go with the stock windows, which aren’t vented. There are tons of awesome Sprinter van windows on the market to check out.

Here are the base prices you’ll expect to pay for a 2022 2WD Sprinter cargo van:

Adding the high-roof option and 4×4 adds a significant amount to the base price. Keep in mind that any add-ons will only increase this price. We ended up paying $64,000 for our 2021 Sprinter van.

• $56,4200 for a 2022 high-roof 144″ wheelbase 4×4 Sprinter cargo van
• $61,180 for a high-roof 170″ wheelbase 4×4 Sprinter

Prices also vary significantly by dealership.

Then, you’ll still have to build out the Sprinter van conversion, which can cost anywhere from $10,000 for a DIY build, to $50,000-$100,000 for a custom build.

As you can see, the Sprinter van cost can get pretty high when you’re looking to build a Sprinter camper van.

How To Pick the Right Sprinter Van for a Camper Conversion

A Mercedes Benz Sprinter van comes in a wide variety of lengths, heights, power trains, options and classes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a Sprinter for a DIY campervan conversion.

Length

A Mercedes Sprinter cargo van comes in three lengths: 144″, 170″ and 170″ extended.

Crew vans come in just two lengths: 144″ and 170″.

Which length you choose for your Sprinter van conversion comes down to how much room you want.

The 144″ wheelbase is easier to drive and maneuver. If you’re into a lot of overlanding, you’ll want a shorter wheelbase. This van has a living space that’s 11′ long by 6′ wide.

The 170″ Sprinter van offers a lot more room inside. You may want to choose a longer van if you plan on having a bathroom in your van and extra sitting room. This van’s living space is 5′ long and 6′ wide.

Height

There are two different height options with Sprinter vans: Standard and High.

You won’t be able to fully stand up with a Standard roof van, but benefits include better handling in wind and off-roading.

If you go with a Standard (low) roof van, you can add a pop top for extra sleeping space. Sportsmobile does excellent pop -tops for Sprinter vans.

High-roof vans are the most popular if you’re living the van life. These allow you to completely stand, which is great for cooking, getting dressed and hanging out. This is the type of van we chose.

Type

There are also several types of Mercedes vans you can turn into a Sprinter van conversion: Cargo, Crew and Passenger.

Cargo vans are the most popular to turn into a camper as they’re a blank slate. You can add windows to your liking and you won’t have to remove seats like you would with the passenger van. The cargo van option is the most affordable off the lot as well.

If you get a van that already has windows, like a crew van, you’ll probably end up removing those windows to install ones that are more camper friendly with sliders and screens. Check out a wide variety of Sprinter van windows here.

We don’t really recommend passenger vans for a camper van conversion as you’d have to remove too many interior components to make room for your build.

Power Train

Mercedes Sprinter vans have several power train options: 4-Cylinder Gas, 4-Cylinder Diesel, 6-Cylinder Diesel and 6-Cylinder 4×4 Diesel.

The 2WD option will give you better gas mileage.

The diesel engines last longer, and the 4×4 option gives you more traction for snow, ice, sand and off-roading. Keep in mind that a 4×4 power train will reduce your gas mileage.

You have to decide how you’ll use the Sprinter van conversion and choose the power train accordingly. We chose a 4×4 Sprinter van because we love off-roading and boondocking in the middle of nowhere. However, the 4×4 version is significantly more expensive so make sure you need it before you buy.

The bottom line….

Go to dealerships and spend some time walking around and exploring the various Sprinter cargo vans. Test drive a few, and renting a Sprinter van is a great way to try one out before you buy.

Where to Buy a Sprinter Van

It can be tough to locate a Sprinter van, especially if you want a certain model like the 4×4 high-roof Sprinter van. Sometimes you’ll need to order one and wait months to pick it up.

We ordered our Sprinter in March of 2021 and received it in September. Many people didn’t get their Sprinter at all due to a worldwide semiconductor shortage. Some dealerships are now price gouging and marking Sprinter vans up as demand is now exceeding supply.

If you want a Sprinter for your camper van build, you may have to be super patient.

I actually found mine through a Facebook group called Sprinter Vans Unlimited where I was able to correspond directly with a salesperson at a dealership in Knoxville, Tennessee. I then had to ship my van out to Oregon.

Here are a few places to look for a Sprinter van for sale.

• Dealerships
• Craigslist
• eBay
• Facebook Marketplace
• Auto Trader
• Sprinter van Facebook groups (Sprinter Vans Unlimited, Sprinter Van DIY)
• Sprinter van conversion companies (they will usually help you source the van if they’re building it out)
• MercedesSprinterCamper.com
• Sprinter Vans of Utah
• VanLifeTrader.com

Once you have an idea of what you want, you can consider a buying a new vs. used Sprinter van.

There are tons of used vans out there, and some people rave about the Dodge Sprinter vans being some of the most reliable for van life.

Sydney Ferbrache of Divine on the Road wanted to find a good deal on a Sprinter van camper. She searched the internet, used Gar Gurus, Carfax and Autotrader to find just the right Mercedes van.

“I was honestly just on a mission to find a Sprinter van with less than 100,000 miles that was also under $20,000,” said Sydney. “We just happened to find the Mercedes van that fit the criteria and had it shipped from Virginia.”

Sydney ended up with a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter with a 144″ wheelbase. She didn’t want the longer Sprinter (170″ wheelbase), because she wanted to easily fit into a parking spot.

Sometimes, you just have to look around until you find the right van. Click here to check out the various Sprinter van options on the market now.

Sprinter Van Conversion Pros and Cons

There’s a lot to think about when deciding if you should go with a Mercedes Sprinter van for your camper van conversion.

Here are the positives:

• Great M.P.G. The diesel engine on a Mercedes Sprinter camper van means it gets better MPG than similar-sized vans. Some report MPG in the low 20s, which is amazing for a large van. My Chevy Astro, a small minivan, got worse gas mileage than my Sprinter!
• Reliability. The Mercedes Sprinter is known to be a reliable, hardy van
• Loads of interior space. A good amount of interior space is critical to a comfortable camper van conversion, and the Mercedes van fits the bill perfectly.
• They’re an asset. The value of Sprinter camper vans doesn’t go down all that much, so if you need to sell, it won’t be as big of a hit to your wallet.
• Easy to maneuver. A 144′ Sprinter van conversion is surprisingly easy to maneuver given its size, and can easily navigate city streets.
• 4×4 capabilities. If you’re looking to do off-roading or overlapping in your Mercedes Sprinter camper van, you have the option of a 4×4 Sprinter van camper

Here are the main negatives:

• Cost. Many think Sprinter camper vans are cost-prohibitive. New ones are in the $40,000-$60,000 range, and used ones are also high-priced for a used vehicle.
• Maintenance. The Mercedes Sprinter camper van has a lot of proprietary technology that can only be worked on at a Mercedes dealership. Some Freightliner mechanics will work on a Sprinter van, but the cost of maintenance will be higher than other vans. Some services will cost you over $1,000.
• 4×4 Fuel Economy: While gas mileage is good on 2WD models, the 4×4 power train reduces gas mileage significantly. Some report MPG in the 12-15 range for a fully-loaded Sprinter van conversion

Sprinter Van Conversion: The DIY Approach

We chose to go with the DIY approach to building out our Sprinter van, which we started last fall. Building out your own van is more time-consuming and daunting than hiring someone, but it much cheaper.

Here’s what we’ve added to the van so far:

• Awning style windows from Wilderness vans
• Flarespace flares and Flarespace Lightweight Bed System
• Havelock wool insulation
• Kilmat Sound Proofing
• 1/4″ and 1/8″ Baltic birch plywood (purchased at Mr. Plywood in Portland, Oregon)
• Aluminess Roof Rack
• Owl vans ladder and tire holder
• Owl vans B2 bike carrier for our windsurfing boards
• Maxxair vent fan
• Zero Breeze AC Unit
• ARB portable fridge
• Battleborn lithium batteries
• RB Components spare tire holder 27-gallon water tank
• Titan vans structural assembly
• Titan vans paper template kit for wall panels
• The Bug Wall bug screen for a Sprinter van

This list will go on as we finish building out our van, so check back for updates!

Sprinter Van Conversion Kits

A Sprinter van conversion kit is between a DIY and custom Sprinter van build. You can order parts and pieces to complete a DIY campervan on your own, including beds, kitchen units, insulation & flooring, water tanks, shelving, etc.

Here are some companies to look into for a DIY kit:

• Titan Vans
• Flatline Van Co
• Campervan HQ
• Esplori interior kits
• Adventure Wagon
• RB Components
• ZenVanz diy van kit
• Happier Camper’s Adaptiv System
• Trail Kitchens
• Van Wife Components
• Owl Van Accessories
• Tourig
• Van Works

Sprinter Van Conversion Build Resources

Buying an empty van and buildling your own Sprinter van camper is the cheapest and most time-consuming approach.

However, there are some really good resources to help you out.

The Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook

If you’re thinking about buying a Sprinter for your DIY campervan conversion, this incredible book will provide an invaluable reference guide for every step of your buildout.

Well worth the money, The Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook is the ultimate Sprinter van conversion resource. You’ll learn not only how to select the best Sprinter year and model for your needs, but also how to tackle every aspect of the conversion, from electrical, to plumbing, to solar, to toilets.

You’ll find 378 pages of details in the Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook pdf, including charts, lists, photos, and descriptions to help you design and build your own campervan from scratch.

Van Life Academy by Project Van Life

Project Van Life offers a duper detailed course called Van Life Academy on how to build your own van. In fact, the course is being showcased in the Netflix show, Gutted!

When you enroll in Van Life Academy, you’ll get 50% OFF and access to:

• Van Life Academy which is made up of 6 sections consisting of 100,000+ words, 300+ photos/illustrations/diagrams, 4 different conversion tutorials, and 40+ videos to accelerate your journey of life on the road
• Free lifetime updates as we continue to improve the academy and add brand new features and conversions into it.
• Bonus #1: 6 different van conversions put together by expert van builders that you can follow along on step by step as if our teachers were beside you guiding your every move.
• Bonus #2: Access to “How These 24 Nomads Make Money While Living ON THE ROAD!” Ebook which will help you advance on your journey to financial freedom on the road.
• Bonus #3: Receive an exclusive badge & title which will show other users that you went through this course. This will immediately provide you with more authority and trust within our community forums.

Deciding between a Sprinter and a Transit? Check out Sprinter vs Transit: Which Is Best For Van Life?

Custom Sprinter Van Conversions

A custom Sprinter van can be the most expensive option, depending on which company you go with and the components inside your van.

The positive of a custom van conversion is you have full say over your van’s interior. You’ll choose the campervan layout, options, etc for the van of your dreams.

Plus, you won’t have to do a lick of work on your own!

The downside of a custom Sprinter van camper is expensive. It’s easy for the cost of a custom conversion to range from $50,000-$100,000, not including the initial cost of the van.

This is a heavy investment for a van lifer!

Check out these top companies that convert Sprinter vans:

• Outside Van
• Sportsmobile
• Titan Vans
• Freedom Vans
• TouRig
• Van Life Customs
• Beartooth VanWorks
• Rossmonster Vans
• Esplori

More and more Sprinter van conversion companies are popping up all the time. You’ll surely find one that fits your needs!

Keep in mind that custom Sprinter van conversions take time. You may end up waiting months, or maybe even a year, for your campervan to be ready for adventure.

Check out our article: The Best Sprinter Van Conversion Companies Out There

Turnkey Sprinter Van Campers for Sale Right Now

If you’re looking for an off-road adventure van you can buy off the lot, take a look at these Sprinter van campers for sale. You can also browse various van build websites to see if they are offering any vans. We see Outside vans selling lightly used Sprinters all the time.

Storyteller Overland

We’re totally in love with Storyteller Overland’s “Beast Mode” 4×4 Sprinter camper van for sale. This rugged Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 van is ready to go anywhere, with a KC Highlights Extreme Lighting Package, Boost MODE M-Power Extender System and Agile Ride Improvement Package.

You’ll have the lighting, power resources and suspension package to tackle bumpy, rocky dirt roads.

One thing that stands out about the Storyteller Overland camper van is the air conditioner and diesel heating system. The solar power and battery bank is powerful enough to keep that air conditioner running all night – super handy if you’re in a hot climate.

Sleep sideways in a modular bed that changes into a work table as you see fit. Store gear beneath the campervan bed, which is also where you’ll find your 21-gallon freshwater tank.

You’ll also get a sink, induction cooktop and fridge in this van build.

Storyteller has three vans to choose from: Classic, Stealth and Beast Mode.

Winnebago Revel Sprinter Van Camper

The Winnebago Revel Sprinter conversion is a close competitor with Storyteller Overland’s vans. The main difference between the two is the Winnebago is a Class B RV with an enclosed toilet and shower.

This van is the clear choice for someone wanting a campervan with a bathroom. However, it does take a lot of space in the van, making it not as roomy and open as the Storyteller.

Another unique part of the Winnebago Sprinter camper van is the power lift bed. You can totally lift the bed up to the ceiling during the day for an open space and easier access to your van’s “garage.”

Like the Storyteller, the Winnebago Revel comes with a full kitchen with sink, induction cooktop and fridge.

There’s a bench seat behind the driver’s seat with seatbelts and a swivel table for working or dining. Both front chairs also swivel for a hang out space inside the van.

If you’re looking for something between custom and DIY, check out 9 amazing Sprinter van conversion kits.

Need Some Inspiration? Check out these Sprinter Van Conversions

If you’re obsessed with van life like me, you probably love browsing through Sprinter van campers for ideas on what to do with your build.

Whether you choose to build out your own van or go with a Sprinter van conversion company, it’s great to jot down ideas as to what’s important and what’s not inside your campervan.

Here are some of the best Sprinter van conversions on the web.

So We Went

I just love watching SoWeWent’s journeys in their rad Sprinter van conversion. This San Diego couple travels part-time with their baby girl, and their photos are phenomenal.

The two facing couches in the rear make a great van bed design, and don’t those hammocks look just so relaxing?

You’d be amazed by how much cool stuff they fit in their Mercedes camper van conversion.

We Roll With It

If you’re jonesing to see what you can do with a 4×4 Sprinter camper van, you’ll have to check out these guys.

This overland Sprinter van with an interior by Tourig is built for heavy off-roading, with a solid axle swap out, 28-gallon reserve fuel tank, 40 gallons of water, 375 watts of solar and 600 amp hours of lithium batteries, this off-road rig is ready for anything.

What’s amazing is that We Roll With It’s van started out as a plain white cargo Sprinter van. Looks way different now, right?

Freedom Vans Sprinter Van Campers

We just love the modern and clean look of Freedom Vans Sprinter van campers. Plus, this bed design makes great use of space inside a smaller Sprinter van.

These custom van builds aren’t cheap, though. You’ll pay anywhere from $45,000 to $120,000, and that doesn’t even include the van.

Talk about luxury van life, right?

Bearfoot Theory

I love following Kristen’s adventures in her Sprinter van conversion by Outside van. She opted for a 170″ wheelbase, which gave her and her boyfriend plenty of room to roam around in their Sprinter van.

In this Sprinter van camper, I especially love the little work table that also serves as a lounge area for hanging out.

Still curious? Q&A about Sprinter van campers

Conclusion about Sprinter camper vans

If you’re serious about living in a van and want a hardy vehicle to do it in, a Sprinter camper van might be your best choice.

Sprinter vans conversions get good MPG due to their diesel engines, are reliable and have the right amount of interior space for a camper van conversion.

However, they are more expensive than other vans, and also more expensive to maintain as work needs to be done at a Mercedes dealership.

If you like high-roofed vans but think a Mercedes is a little out of your price range, check out similar-sized vans like the high-top Ford Transit, the Dodge Ram Promaster or any van with a pop-type camper van option, like the VW Vanagon.