Sprinter van conversion ideas

Looking for Sprinter van conversion ideas? With our expert and easy-to-follow Mercedes Sprinter van conversion guide, you can transform one of the sleekest vehicles on the market in your own driveway!

A Sprinter, or Mercedes Benz Sprinter panel van to give it its official name, is one of the most versatile vans out there, with the longest and highest measurements available. The long-wheelbase (148 inches) and high ceiling (5’3; up to 6’3 with high-roof option) makes it a seriously comfortable panel van to convert!

Sprinters are an excellent investment overall too, often with high resale value. This makes them stand out from many other vans on the market, which can quickly depreciate after purchase.

Below, we share advice on how to convert your Sprinter van so that you can get started!

Buying a Mercedes Sprinter for your van conversion

So you’ve decided on a Sprinter as your vehicle of choice. If you haven’t already bought one, you’ll need to purchase your base vehicle either new or secondhand according to your budget.

Obviously, your conversion will be easier if you buy a semi-fitted van with only some stuff to add, but the huge range of Sprinter van conversion information online means it isn’t too big a deal if your budget doesn’t stretch to this.

You’ll notice when researching your base vehicle that “Mercedes Sprinter” refers to more than one type of van. Dodge Sprinter van, Mercedes Sprinter van and Freightliner Sprinter van are the main terms you’ll come across but don’t worry, all three are the same. Sprinters were branded as Dodge Sprinters in the early 2000s, and Mercedes Sprinters or Freightliner Sprinters from 2007.

But there are also some further variations to consider:

Sprinter type

Sprinter vans come in three different types: cargo, crew and passenger van.

A passenger Sprinter is the most expensive, able to seat 8-15 people, but with less potential for campervan fittings because of seating taking up much of the room. That said, these can be removed!

A cargo van is a commercial vehicle with driver and passenger seats and a bare interior able to store goods and equipment, and therefore well suited to adding in beds, a table and anything else you want in a campervan conversion.

A crew van is a mix of the two, with decent space in the van body and with a second row of seats. As this second row is removable, a crew van is also a good option for conversion. However, cargo vans are generally the most affordable of Sprinters and are used by many for their versatility and lower cost.

Roof type

Once you know which of the three types of vans you want, next decide whether you want a standard or high-top roof.

The advantages and disadvantages of both are fairly obvious: a van with a high-top roof (up to 9 feet) gives more space than a standard van (up to 5’4) and can accommodate more fittings and fixtures like bunk beds.

But a standard roof van is more discreet and can be parked anywhere without thinking of height, making it more convenient overall. (It’s worth noting that from 2018, only Mercedes cargo vans can be ordered with a low roof; crew and passenger vans have a high roof as standard.) Buying a van with a standard roof means you can add a pop-up later if you like.

Wheelbase length

The final thing to decide is wheelbase length. Sprinter cargo vans come with three choices: 144-inch, 170 and 170 extended adding an extra 15 inches.

Which one you opt for will depend on your driving confidence, as a longer wheel-based van will take a bit more skill to manoeuvre. Longer wheelbases can also get stuck in terrain if going off-road.

Sprinter van conversion ideas for layout

Your next step is to think about what you want from the overall conversion. You might need a Sprinter van conversion for a family of 4, for example, or decide to create a van to hire out for luxury adventures. A decently sized kitchen or a proper shower might be must-haves, or you may prefer to compromise on these to add a fixed bed chilling space.

When designing your floor plan, consider your:

• Bedding space - Do you want a 2- or 4-berth van conversion layout, and a fixed bed or one that packs away during the day?

• Bathroom - What space do you have for your bathroom, and do you want a full shower space or just a toilet?

• Kitchen area – Should your van have a convertible dinette or cab-side kitchen, and what size of fridge can you fit?

Don’t forget storage either: the Mercedes Sprinter is roomy enough to pack lots of kit, but a messy van isn’t much fun to travel in and can be unsafe too. Plenty of neat storage units will also make your van attractive to potential hires.

Other Sprinter camper features include gas cookers, heating systems, luxury interior lining, solar panelling, ovens, awnings, ladders, full-size fridges… In a van of this capability, the possibilities are endless.

Sites like Pinterest, Instagram and campervan conversion social media groups are also a mine of inspiration, as are our hundreds of campervans for hire in NZ.

Test different Mercedes Sprinter van conversion ideas

Hire a rental for the weekend to test out different Sprinter van conversion ideas, as this is the best way to see what works for you. Note down features and kit you found useful, as well as stuff you could do without.

It’s also worth spending a night or two off-grid/wild camping if you can, as this is the fastest and easiest way of finding out your absolute must-haves. This could be a fixed shower or simply a good coffee maker – it’s up to you.

This recently converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in Auckland is a brilliant option, with room for two to sleep. It also has a fully insulated floor to keep you comfortable throughout the year, massive storage space, easy access Porta Potty, fold-out chairs and tables, ceiling fan, fridges, gas oven and much more.

Or how about this Mercedes Sprinter Getaway in Christchurch? It sleeps two and comes with a kitchen with a sink, microwave and plenty of cupboard space. You can also enjoy plenty of sitting space inside, with a shower and toilet for added convenience.

There’s also Rolleston in Canterbury, which sleeps three and also comes with a shower and toilet, fridge, gas bottle, camping chairs and table and much more.

Building your favourite Sprinter van conversion ideas

Once you have your layout planned, it’s time to consider how you’re going to put it all together. There are three main options here: paying a campervan conversion company to do the work for you, using a campervan conversion kit or doing it all yourself.

For a full conversion by a company, expect to pay anything from about $15,000 upwards, after buying your base vehicle. The least expensive way to build your Sprinter conversion is of course to do it yourself, but remember you’ll need to factor in costs for tools and professional fitters (for example, for the gas system) too.

Campervan conversion kits suitable for Sprinters start from around $2,500-$4,000 depending on whether you want any of the kits professionally fitted. Bear in mind though that most kits will be designed for other van styles rather than specifically for Sprinters.

Alternatively, our campervan conversion guide gives a step-by-step guide to converting your Mercedes Sprinter van.

As well as building the cabinetry and bedding, must-dos include insulation, ventilation, electrics, gas, lighting and water, as well as laying your floor and lining your walls and ceiling.

Cost of a Mercedes Sprinter van conversion

As multi-award-winning and extremely versatile vans, Mercedes Sprinters are generally not low-cost. New models start from around $35,000 – and that’s before the cost of the Sprinter van camper conversion, which could go up to tens of thousands depending on added features.

But as ourcampervan conversion guide points out, these tough, high quality and durable vans are ideal for campervanners who want plenty of space or to go off-road. So they’re more than worth it if you have the budget!

Plus, building your own Mercedes Sprinter conversion instead of buying a camping-ready fit-out is the most affordable option. It’ll take a lot of time and research, yes, but you’ll save a significant amount of money… and be intimately knowledgeable about how absolutely everything in your van works. This will save money on any future repair or upgrade costs too!

To see what your budget should cover, crunch your numbers against our campervan conversion cost guide.

Earn extra income from your Mercedes Sprinter van conversion

A Mercedes Sprinter campervan is among our top picks for an attractive and modern finish, which should be extremely appealing to future renters and help to make back your conversion costs – it’s win/win!

And each year, heaps of Kiwis earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.

And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:

• Comprehensive hire insurance.

• 24/7 AA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.

• Dedicated customer support.

If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by renting out your Sprinter van conversion!