Why buy a Sprinter van when you could do this!? Overlanding across Utah to get my high top installed
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- A couple of weeks ago, I made the trip out to Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit my friends at Wasatch Overland. Along the way, I rode my mountain bike in St, George, did some overlanding to waterfalls in Southern Utah and hit some awesome trails. While there, they cut the roof off of my van and installed this new hightop roof providing 6'4" of standing room on the inside! In my opinion, this is the way to go to get a van that's more capable and just as comfortable as a Sprinter-style van. My van now has plenty of room to stand up in, 12" of wheel travel, 35" tires and a locker making it much more capable offroad than a normal transit, Promaster, or sprinter van. Huge thanks to everyone at Wasatch and Eric Wynn for the awesome footage of the installation.
Please consider subscribing!
Highroof Info: wasatch-overland.com
Baja Grocery Getter Lift kit with Fox Shocks: weldtecdesigns.com/product/wt...
My Instagram: / _jim_bob
Merch: ibrakeforsnakes.com/store
00:00 - Intro
00:56 - Driving to Utah
02:07 - Riding Zen Trail
06:23 - Wasatch Overland
07:09 - Hightop Install
10:30 - Offroading to Camp
13:07 - Waterfall Camping
16:45 - Riding Church Rocks Trail
18:59 - Final Thoughts - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Given the production quality, I expected at least 50K subscribers. This channel is primed to take off.
Oh man I wish!! Hopefully someday!
The hightop looks good! Not having to bend and crawl is truly priceless.
7000??? Or lower???
That's super clean
With content like this, I know this channel is going to get big.
I appreciate that!!
This is a great style of build. I did a promaster with 2" lift. My first dream (and maybe my next build due to increasing hight restrictions in city bylaws) was a ford or chevy with side barn doors and a pop top
Hell yea!
great video, awesome hauler Van, and the outdoors. what more could a growing boy ever want from life. Pure living
🤘🏻
I liked the look better before the high top but I understand the needed function. Cool van
Same
Great looking van. I love what you've done with it!
Thanks!
Awesome van, great footage, perfect soundtrack. The waterfall scene with the drone and chill music was just calming and inspiring. Looking to more great videos in the future!
More to come!!
Really fun to watch, thanks for putting the time in. Super cohesive van too 👍🏽
Thanks!!
Thanks for not hot-spotting the area, too many have and it is getting hammered. Great video. The topper looks great. Allergies have been severe this season in UT.
Yea I never went to blow up a spot!
I've got a van like yours (sans roof top conversion) for sale if anyone is looking or you know people looking and can pass it on. Extensive build list and top notch quality.
dude so sick!!!!!! love the custom work!!!
That camping spot looks awesome. Nice drone footage of it. Well done video. Cool van, I like the high top.
Thanks 🙏🏻
The high top is a great addition looks awesome!! Hope you feel better soon!
Feelin' better and thanks!
Solid content! Love the combo of Van and riding!
Thanks!! More to come 🤘🏻
Wow what a awesome camping site, love that waterfall
Seeing you ride was neat! I was shifting my body for the turns with ya like a dork. Really enjoyable lololol😅 Thanks for sharing!
Haha thanks!
Van is looking great totally functional now. Stand up.
Forget the Sprinter van, this looks like it's becoming the RV From Hell in Tango and Cash (1989), except without the mini gun. 😁😁
😂
Great video! Van is looking awesome
Thanks!!
Solid video bro! Exactly what the mtb Van life experience is 🤙
Yup that's what it's all about!
Great vid and nice van! Thanks for the shoutout to SB.
I’m from SB that’s where I live!
sick! I have been wanting to get a van or truck built out. But for van I would need 4x4 and so expensive. Its looking sweet with that new cap on it! I will have to look into the ford vans more for this conversion. I still think a older truck and camper on back may be more doable for my budget. Hyped to see how your buildout inside goes
Thanks they’re a great and affordable platform I highly recommend it!
Awesome video! Lifted Econolines and MTB’s that’s all ya need.
Dang it, I really wanted to check out Sea Otter last weekend I’m about 45 minutes away. Missed it.
Ah bummer it was a good time!
I like this guy's van a lot
dude you are going to hit that YT money real quick... good to see the upload!!
Haha I sure hope so! The 4k watch hours are tough but we’ll see 🤘🏻
Wow big difference looks awesome, I just subscribed I’ll be following for more
Thank you!! More soon!
I own a 2005 E350 super duty. It was a news van
And here's a full win with the bad brains shirt
This 0i!✊ is for you
Cheers
🤘🏻
What a sick set up man. Man van. Man life. Rrramper van. Overvander. K.I.S.S.
Overvander 😂
Love that snakey drive up the Virgin River canyon :)
Very nice practical build. Great looking rig.
Thanks!
Great content, glad the algorithm brought me to your channel 👍
Thank you and likewise!
Well done on the production. You deserve more subscribers.
Appreciated!
Glad to see you got to ride the following week! I too am recovering from the head & chest cold it’s taken over two weeks for me too! We are looking to go to Crescent City next month! Your roof raise is a game changer and it looks great! I just subscribed! Looking forward to the next video!! Take care be well!
Thank you and hope you’re feeling better!
@@brakeforsnakes Thank you and you too!!
Gorgeous camp sight with the waterfall and that sunset and sunrise was beautiful also. Enjoyed your bike ride. I would be scared of falling but you made it look fun.
Thanks!!
@@brakeforsnakes T-ville!
Van looks badass with the top..
Thanks!
Jim, your riding is awesome. I love it.
Thank you!!
I like your van!!! Good looking van!!!
Thanks!!
That looks awesome
Bro dude, great trail shots. I always wanted to ride out there. 🙏🏻
You should it’s awesome!
Great video. Great shirt!
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Looks like the lockers really did the trick
Definitely
that waterfall is dope
Great video!
Thanks! More to come.
That is awesome. I can dream!
You can do it!
I retire next year so I will build something!@@brakeforsnakes
The van is BOSS.
🤘🏻
This man knows how to VAN 👍
👊🏻
Absalutely love the truk man
Thanks!!
Cant get over the production vs. Subs count ....subscription earned buddy
Appreciated! I’m just getting going
@@brakeforsnakes love the way the van looks am hoping one day to own one as badass as this
Same place I camped at all my way home from Wasatch!
Living the dream bro 👍
👊🏻
Looks good. Luckily you have a white van. Also, good call on going with the flat older style Maxxair vent. I have switched back to these after having a few of the taller, hooded ones. Not only do these look better on vans but they also flow a lot more air than the waterproof style.
This is the newer waterproof style unless an even newer one has come out
I like that top. Its got contours n stuff. Not just a plain bump.
Used van market is nuts lately. Im keeping my eyes open tho.
Really enjoyed your video.
Thanks I appreciate that and more to come!
Amazing channel.
Thank you!
Nice build.
Thanks!
A few years ago you could get a used Sprinter van with 70,000 miles on it for $11,000. I just saw a 350 Ford work van of the type of this van and they wanted $18,000 for it. It's tough to get a good deal on a van these days.
Yup then used market is insane but you can find higher mileage econolines for a couple thousand dollars
We were in a tiny Central American village for SCUBA and surfing.
In that one village, we saw about fifteen Sprinter-type vans down for repairs...
... some waiting on entire engines from Florida or Arizona.
Dang that’s wild!
Your content forced me to subscribe 👍🤙🤩
Thanks!!
I just subbed! I saw that you're getting a hightop installed and that's what I want to do, so.....I can't wait! I'm gonna be a good little sub and wait. I was sick as well and I swear it's lasted a month! My best friend even went to the hospital and stayed for a couple of days, got an IV bag of antibiotics, felt great, came home, and was sick again within 4-5 days. Whatever is going around is ugly!Do you have any places called Urgent Care or even a Walgreens should have a Care Clinic that could get you in fairly fast on the same day. I was never real nasally sounding or feeling, just a very scratchy voice and a cough, but it was a productive one. I'm still hacking in the morning and have no energy. I hope whatever has ahold of you goes away quick! Oh, I slept and slept too. I ended up finishing a Z-pack and some steroids that my friend had and it has helped. I know, I know, you're supposed to finish a round, but when you're that sick, the last thing you want to do is go sit in a waiting room with other sick people! Enough sick talk. That looks so bad ass! I can't wait to get mine! I have a 2011 Ford E250 van that we've been going back and forth on whether or not we should get a smaller trailer to pull behind so we can stand to cook and get dressed. You know what I'm talking about. also, we have a cat and a Pit mix. Theres just so many pros on getting the hightop. We have enough solar to power an entire RV so if we should decide to get something to pull, for more room, we can always do that later. I think this is the way to go!Btw, I know what it feels like to have your spot found out about. Now it's just gone. A flood washed it away after 20 plus years of going there. I would just go on week days so I didn't have to put up with anyone around me. It was the perfect place! It sloped into the water where you could plop your cooler in between your low rise lawn chairs and it had the most clear water! And a swimming hole with a cliff directly across that you could climb and jump off into the deep part. God, I miss that place! Sorry about the short book I'm writing! I'm kinda dopey from all the pain meds and the antihistamines. I am a chatty Kathy though! I admit it! Man, I love the sound of water when I'm sleeping! Nothing like it! At least your place is still there! I'm going to check out Wasatch Overland! I've heard a couple of horror stories from other places I won't mention. I also want to get a window installed like Chrome has on his Ford on Vancity Vanlife. Thanks for letting me yammer. Take good care and feel better! Peace!
That was awesome to read thank you for subbing I look forward to hearing more!
@@brakeforsnakes You are a big sweetheart! Thank you! I look forward to more from your channel! I'm dying to show my husband what our van will look like with a hightop, unfortunately, he's a workaholic so I'll have to wait until this evening. He's going to be as psyched as I am! Hope you're feeling better this morning!
Jim Bob, have you looked at the Smittybuilt compressor? I have 2 of the larger models for 2 different vehicles. High volume, super quick air up. Good duty cycle.
I’ll have to check it out
Good looking van, top is cool
Thanks!
One advantage to the Ford over something like a Promaster is the availability of hinged side doors; my Promaster has a frustrating slider that opens much larger than needed for a person to get in and out, is loud to use and often falls out of alignment. The double doors also allow different interior layouts, such as a washroom behind the second door, which would only be opened when it's time to dump the cassette.
The downside is that the Ford's door ends at the former roof height while my Promaster allows me to walk through standing straight.
My last van had the double doors I don't mind the slider.
Check out the Viair 450. 100% duty cycle compressor. I like it way better than my arb twin. I keep one in my tow rig and one in my raptor.
Will do!
Great choice. Zen Trail would be my recco if you only could ride one trail in St George. Rad van.
Yea it was fun 🤘🏻
very cool
Watching adventure vids almost a decade now and your filmmaking skills are top notch, please stick with it.....😊smile js
Van build gets you to 60k just insulate for adventure!
Thanks!!
bad ass rig
Sweet channel great production, im subbing and enjoying the feedback and 2cents everyone is putting in.
Appreciated!
Good video . I have a ....problem . Love E Series. I have a few here.....5.4, v10, IDI, 7.3. Various states.
1st time viewer, you had me @ 1:01 with that 101 on-ramp.
🤘🏻
I nust came across your van on insta wish we had them in aus they would be good setup also that looked like such a killer camping spot
It really is a great spot!
@@brakeforsnakes do they still make these vans now like new models?
They do but only in a cutaway. The van was stopped being made in 2014
My parents owned a 1987 GMC Vandura.... I wish I had that van now that I am older. I heard from a friend they were going to stop making the gas models in 2025 and then the vans will be electric. Either way it will be nice to have one of these cargo vans and then redo it for camping.
An electric van would be awesome if it had enough range
Saw something similar at last years overland expo, though the cut out in roof? Owner welded in tube steel all around on under opening for rigidity. Hes built rigs and race cars for 40 years, so I just took it for he knew what he was doing hahaha. Heard him mention so no box flex to someone else. Thinking of doing this if I could just find a dang unmolested 4x4!
We’ll they never came 4x4 so they’ve all been modified to have it. You can find clean u joint vans but they’re not cheap! But U Joint makes the best conversion by far
Jim Bob I love lifted vans were you at? Were having a meet Sunday in hungry valley california doing 4x4 trail again.
Unfortunately I can’t make it out there
Killing the content game my friend. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Thanks 🙏🏻
Great video. I don't normally subscribe to many channels but just did to yours. What year is the van? 4x4? I have a tricked out Transit but I have always like this style of Ford vans. I want one. Thanks
Thank you for the sub!! It’s a 2013 and no 4wd just lifted. Check my other video on it further down my feed it goes over all the mods
I live in cedar lots of camping on mountain I am not familiar with that spot I go up more I think by Navajo
Nice video good job
Thanks!
great content!
Got a BOM for the entire build? thanks!
Thanks! I don’t yet but will have one soon in a full walk around video!
Sprinter or E350 ford, dual rear wheels help alot with stability
While parked or driving . 😂
Rig looking sweet! Do you use your locker a lot so far? Think you’ll miss 4x4?
It’s a mechanical locker so it’s always on
What did you use to make that nightlapse? Looks great
Just a canon eos rp
nicely done, is it 6'4 interior after finish or before?
It’s 6’4 as it sits in the video
Like the flume trail???
Nice riding. What bike is that? S-works, what exactly?
It’s a specialized stumpjumper. I’ve got a link to it in my next two videos if you go to profile
Hey great VDO! Can I ask why you decided to go with Wasatch and not Fiberene for your top? Any specific reasons? Thanks and happy trails.
Thanks! No specific reason other than I thought it was the best option out there
@@brakeforsnakes Right on. Just wanted to know if you heard good or bad either way. Thanks for the reply!
I'll follow your vlog been planning to buyone in california but so expensive I'll try van lifeduring my vacation in america bro
Nice van
Thanks!
@@brakeforsnakes ok
I got mine in 2004 , still going strong, simple, no gobblygook. Bed, toilet fridge,storage , power…. Perfect for any get away. Ford E150, 4.9 liter inline 6, fuel injected, gear drive…….. very dependable.
Yup they're awesome vehicles!
So with the removal of the roof and cross member, does that have a negative effect on the wall stability?
Nope
I'm actually wondering is there an offroad 4x4 kit for a Ford Transit Connect or a Nissan NV200. Trying to go something smaller than a regular van. I know there are kits for a GMC Safari and a Chevy Astro van.
I haven’t seen one, seems like it would be a tough platform without a 4x4 similar chassis
I had a 2022 4x4 Sprinter, but was pretty unimpressed with it off road. I plan to build basically exactly what you've got now.
You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for your comment, now I don’t want Sprinter 4x4 😂
@@evstafievcoach If you’ve got the money, the new AWD Sprinter looks to be very capable once you add a locking rear differential. From tests online it is beating the 4x4 version that has a locker as well. After I drove the AWD I was pretty sold. More HP/torque out of the new motor and I like how the new 9 speed transmission shifts compared to the 7 speed in the 4x4
I think I'm missing something here at least according to the title. I was hopeful to learn how much cheaper? Did you mention the cost of the hightop and installation or perhaps the cost of lift and 4 wheel drive and van as compared to a Sprinter Van?. Perhaps you mentioned it other videos you posted. I will check. It was a beautiful place near the falls. Too far off the beaten path for an old buzzard like me but it is great watching the younger folks enjoy!
Yes it’s not 4wd check my other videos and there’s a link to the high top right in the description
100% When I 1st saw that bed rail of a rear axle on the sprinter I was done. That and how fast the rust eats around all the edges, not for me. To each their own, not knocking to be knocking. My $ went to a 12' chevy express extended with the small 4.8v8 gas (for mpg) 1 wheelie-peelie (road only, don't like even wet grass). Getting a high top. Likes-wide enough to sleep sideways (I'm 5'10") leaving lots more room for 'garage'(moto too), better tow vehicle(10k lbs), almost anyone can fix it, parts everywhere, (got 210k on it now) been reliable, I like the looks. Misses-avg 15mpg (always could be better), 'small v8 needs more torque. I do like the 'sprinter' look. The Ford transit mid/high is a better 'sprinter', has a real trans and rear axle and I'm sure they get better mpg,, but you can't sleep side-to-side unless you buy/install those extender things-more $ and I could have 2-3 chevy/ford 'regular type' vans for price of entry. Whatever rocks the boat! Good to have choices 🤘👍
Yup you nailed it!
The ford transits are like 76 inches wide are they not.
And I know the sprinter is only 70 inches wide.
So they cut the roof cross bars / reinforcements and installed a fiberglass tub? Your not planning to roll this thing are ya? Overall it looks great, I dig the lift and 33” (?) but if it was mine, I would have done it somewhat differently. (Main concern being safety)
It’s on 35’s but that’s the best thing about having your own vehicle you can do whatever you want with yours
Where is your SPARE TIRE Rack from..?
Man you gotta be fully awake to bike down like that 😂
That’s for sure haha
What PSI do you like to air down to when going off road?
About 20-25psi
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1. Could you please share the approximate cost breakdown for the suspension upgrade, lift kit, and tires?
2. How much did you invest in total for all the modifications?
3. Would your friends be willing to replicate similar modifications on my van if I compensate them? If so, what would be the estimated cost for their services?
Thank you once again
Not sure what you mean. I did all the suspension work myself and the top was installed by Wasatch overland
Dude love your van just started following u . How many miles on your van when u got it? Love how you have been adding things slowly to your van love the look brother
Thanks! It has 100k miles on it right now and I got it with about 90k miles on it.
@@brakeforsnakes love to find a Ford Van like live in Florida looking to build one out Cruze the beach and hang out with my dog brother
@@jameswoods9254 Shouldn't be too hard to find one they made millions of them!
@@brakeforsnakes yeah it’s just trying to find ones with say low miles 90k and the conditions of them have been searching will keep going