Van Tour
Mercedes 4x4 Sprinter
After a six-month van build and nearly a year of van life, we're ready to share our full van tour with you.
Clarity II has been an opportunity to incorporate everything we loved about our first van, Clarity I, and add features we wanted after living and traveling for over three years.
Matt has been modifying and adding features for over a year. After every trip, he has found ways to improve this build.
In this video, we'll show you all the exciting upgrades, like the refined pullout storage tray and the new tilting solar panel mount.
Check out the complete van build and links to the equipment in our van below
Van Build Series
Change of Plans!
We've been waiting for our Ford Transit Trail Edition van to arrive for months.
Even though we’ve been “building out the Ford Transit” its delivery date is nowhere in sight.
So, we're giving up and buying a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2022 4x4 van and moving forward with our van build.
To make it easier for you, we've assembled links to the equipment we have ordered and plan to install in our Transit Trail Edition Van Conversion.
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What’s Going Into Our Van
Episode 1
First Upgrades & Installs in Our Mercedes Sprinter Van
This van build is a bit complicated since we had already purchased all the equipment and building supplies for a Transit Trail Edition van. Now, we’re scrambling to make adjustments and swap out gear that won’t work in this van.
But, first things first…
This sound system needs a serious upgrade and we need to order and install swivel seats that would have come installed on the Ford.
Even though we had purchased a propane heater for the Ford, we’re swapping it for an Espar heater that will run off the diesel fuel tank in our new Sprinter.
All in all, it’s a pain in the butt, but these will be exciting upgrades to our van lifestyle.
SCOPEMA Swivel Seat Driver’s Side
Sound System Upgrade
LC2 i Audio Controller
Espar Diesel Heater
240W JBL Amplifier
Hand Brake Lowering Kit
JL Subwoofer
JBL Front Speakers
SCOPEMA Swivel Seat Passenger’s Side
We Would Love to Hear From You
Please contact us if you find broken links or can’t find a piece of equipment you’ve seen in our videos but can’t find on this page.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions concerning your van build.
We love helping others who are interested in building out a van.
Episode 2
Cutting Holes in Our New Van 🙀 🚐 !!
MaxxAir Fan
Dometic Skylight
CR Laurence Awning Windows
Porthole Window
Exterior Lights
Mercedes S1 Dual Reverse Light Kit
Rock Lights
Porch Lights
Building Lightweight Cabinets for a Van
We originally planned to build out one of the eagerly-anticipated Transit Trail Edition vans. But, after waiting for months and months with no word from Ford, we threw in the town and bought a 2022 Sprinter.
In an attempt to get a jump start on the build, Matt began constructing the lightweight cabinets for the van.
With some modifications, we were able to use these cabinets in the Sprinter.
EP 3
Floor to Ceiling Progress
We are making progress in our van build ~ floor to ceiling.
In this video, we’re installing a ceiling in our van using T & G cedar as well as using the composite floor in our Sprinter as a base and topping part of it with Marmoleum.
Join us for the ups, downs, and details of our van build as we make the adjustments required from changing our plans to build out a Ford Transit Trail Edition to unexpectedly buying a 2022 Mercedes Sprinter instead.
EP 4
Winter Van Build
We have found ourselves building a van in the winter. We’re rushing to finish our DIY van build electrical system, install our Espar heater, and rig some lights to continue our DIY Sprinter van build.
What is on Our 12V DC Panel
Circuit Breaker
Aluminum Panel
12 Volt Dimmer Switch
Victron Battery Monitor
Toggle Switches
Episode 5
Electrical & Water Systems
Overview
Shore Power Charger
Battery to Battery Charger
Positive Bus Bar
3000 W Pure Sine Inverter
What’s In Our Solar Electrical System
Victron MPPT 50 amp Charge Controller
Battery Switch
Negative Bus Bar
2 Lithium Batteries
Bouge RV
400W 10bb Solar Panel
What’s in Our Water System
30 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
18 Gallon Grey Water Tank
SHURFLOW 12 V 4gal/min Water Pump
18” Stainless Steel Sink
CuZn Water Filter
Chrome Kitchen Faucet
SHURFLOW Accumulater Tank
Low-Flow Outdoor Shower Head
Bosch Electric Water Heater
Outdoor Shower Mixing Valve
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EP 6 Things Aren’t Going Well
We are excited to bring our community more of our off-grid winter 2022 Mercedes Sprinter 4X4 van conversion.
Building out a van during a Colorado winter has proven difficult, but Matt has made steady progress building van shoe storage solutions and creating a dog-friendly bench in our van for our beloved Jessie.
EP 7 Struggling with the Upper Cabinets
Building upper cabinets for our van has been a mind-bending experience, and building the upper cabinet doors for our van has been challenging.
In this video, we celebrate what would have been Dad’s 89th birthday by gathering with friends and family and skiing together down one of Dad’s favorite runs.
EP 9 Why We’re Not Building a Pullout Pantry
We’ve decided not to build a pullout pantry in our 2022 Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 van conversion. Instead, Matt is building a column of drawers that will provide more van storage with easier access.
Join us in this video as the pieces to our new home on wheels are falling into place.
As the days grow longer and slightly warmer, Matt is making great process on building ample storage in our van. We’ll show you the details of how the pantry drawers, upper cabinet, and wiring are coming together.
With each piece of the puzzle fitting into place, we’re one step closer to getting back on the road.
EP 8 Composting Toilet & Double Bed Installation
Our winter van build continues. We’ve had some favorable weather and Matt has been installing our composting toilet. We've also built a double bed without flares in our 144 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 2022 4X4.
Join us in this video as we progress slowly but steadily on our van build. We’re planning a trip to see the April Eclipse so we have to put the pedal to the metal to get Clarity II road trip ready.
In this video, we’ll show you the details and dead ends we made as Matt designed and built the pull-out composting toilet cabinet.
Then we’ll take you on a detailed tour of how he built our double bed without flares in a 144-wheel-based Sprinter van.
The pieces are finally coming together and we can’t wait to get back on the road.
EP 10 What’s in Our Kitchen Galley
Gimbal Fan
18” Stainless Steel Sink
Installing the Kitchen Galley
The installation of our last lightweight cabinet completes our DIY van kitchen build. This clever galley design is not only home to our kitchen sink and hide-away stove top, but has easy access to our greywater tank, hot water heater, and propane tank.
Chrome Faucet
Dometic CRX 110S DC Fridge
2-Burner Gas Cooktop
Our Van is Complete(ish)
The pieces are finally falling into place as we near the end of our 2022 Mercedes Sprinter Van Build and prepare for our shake-out tour of Clarity II.
We have some final details to manage, but we’re ticking them off our list as the date to rendezvous with Matt’s brothers nears.
Clarity II’s shakeout tour and first adventure will be to view the Solar Eclipse in Texas. Then, on to wherever the winds and weather take us.
We can’t wait to get back on the road, bust out our camera equipment, and share this next chapter of travel, photography, and adventure with you.
Join us on our ShakeOut Tour here: https://www.clarityoffgrid.com/