Jan-05-2018 05:16 PM
Jan-22-2018 08:51 PM
Jan-17-2018 08:06 AM
Jan-17-2018 07:31 AM
Jan-17-2018 07:17 AM
HawkTX wrote:
I don’t understand all the confusion about the oil. Go to your chassis manual and use what they recommend. Sprinter parts depot online sells the entire oil change kit based upon your model.
Jan-12-2018 09:01 AM
Jan-12-2018 08:46 AM
pnichols wrote:
Now for off-topic grins .... someone maybe should show the underside of a Ford E350 or Chevy 3500. 😉
Jan-11-2018 05:15 PM
Jan-11-2018 04:15 PM
Jan-11-2018 08:28 AM
CharlesinGA wrote:Dakzuki wrote:
The Sprinter cutaway is not unibody....only the vans are. They build class As on the same chassis (sans cab). The Transit is of the same construction. Oil is not a problem if you know what you're looking for. NAPA sells it and it goes on sale for cheap regularly.
Crawl under yours and look, it IS a unibody construction. What Winnebago uses on the Via, is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cowl chassis, which does not have the MB hood, fenders, grill, bumper, A pillars, etc. It is still a unibody of frame, and firewall/cowl. Its just that a lot of MB parts have been left off or cut off and WBO fabricated pieces to take its place.
This same process was used on some pesudo Class A MH's 30 or so years ago, using the Ford E Chassis, where the manufacturer removed fenders, hood, etc and cut away certain structural parts of the cab and then built a Class A type body around the front end of it.
http://www.winnebago-rv-motorhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mercedes-benz-f50-chassis.jpg
Mercedes also has a low frame variant designed especially for camper use. The top of the frame rails is 8 inches lower than a standard Sprinter, the rear suspension is trailing links and coil springs to lower the height, and optional air suspension is available. Three wheelbases are available, 141 inch, 151 inch. and 161 inch (curiously all shorter than the standard 170 inch wheelbase used on a Sprinter now). The rear track is 7 inches wider and variable overhangs at the rear are also available. However the GVW is only 3.5 metric tons, 7700 lbs, this chassis is more designed for the smaller European campers/caravans.
Low chassis, cutaway and cowl models.
Charles
Jan-11-2018 06:00 AM
Dakzuki wrote:
The Sprinter cutaway is not unibody....only the vans are. They build class As on the same chassis (sans cab). The Transit is of the same construction. Oil is not a problem if you know what you're looking for. NAPA sells it and it goes on sale for cheap regularly.
Jan-10-2018 09:21 AM
Jan-10-2018 09:17 AM
CharlesinGA wrote:
Ford Transit cutaway chassis/cab is very similar in design to the Sprinter, a unibody construction. Fact is, if your E series is involved in an accident that damages the chassis rails, you can bet the insurance is going to total it, rather than replace the chassis (and have it stretched if needed).
I agree, the owner of a Sprinter needs to become knowledgeable of the vehicle, much in the way that the owner of an old English sports car is. If you cannot do the work yourself, you need to be able to tell the mechanic exactly how you want it done, and know that you are right, and be able to ask enough questions to know if the mechanic did something incorrectly. The oil situation is a difficult sticking point. There are only a couple of semi-readily available oils on the market that meet the MB 229.52 spec (or for 2016 or earlier 229.51 or .52 spec).
Charles
Jan-10-2018 09:12 AM
DownTheAvenue wrote:
I am not a fan of the Mercedes Sprinter diesel. It has very specific oil requirements that even Mercedes dealers don't know. Finding a dealer who can and will work on it can be challenging.
Jan-07-2018 10:10 AM