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NCV3 4wd Conversion Prototype Yes...it's thumbs up for our first T1N Sprinter 4x4 owner. Welcome to a new era for the North American Sprinter...4 Wheel Drive!! We are now offering a 4x4 Conversion. With this conversion, you can travel anywhere in the world and service parts will be as close as the nearest Mercedes or Dodge/Freightliner dealer! And, speaking of traveling anywhere, with our Sprinter 4wd's, you will be able to go pretty much wherever you want whenever you want!! Below is a list of 4x4 Conversion facts that will help you learn more about our Sprinter 4wd conversions. The Sprinters pictured above are a 2007 144" 2500HC Cargo and a 2006 140" 2500SHC Cargo both with selectable 4wd and low range. Check out our Sprinter Store 4wd videos on U-Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Sprinterstore
FAQs and 4x4 Conversion facts: Our Sprinter 4wd conversion uses DOT approved components but the conversion is not DOT approved or Mercedes certified. By adding the 4wd components to your Sprinter, you will void portions of the Mercedes warranty. 4x4 Configurations that will be available for all Sprinters: Selectable 4wd and Selectable 4wd with low range. The selectable system applies 50% power to the front axle and 50% to the rear when engaged. On the selectable system, 4wd high engagement and disengagement can take place on the fly up to about 55mph. On either system, low range can only be engaged when stopped, in neutral and with the brake applied. With the T1N and the NCV3 4x4 conversions, the ESP, ABS and ASR systems are active and fully functional when in selectable 2wd hi range and in selectable 4x4 hi range. When in 4x4 low range, the systems are deactivated on the T1N Sprinter but are functional on the NCV3 model. With the selectable 4wd system, low range is not available in 2wd mode. When shifting back to selectable 2wd hi range or permanent 4wd hi range, the ESP, ABS and ASR systems are automatically reset and fully functional where applicable. T1N ride height with stock tires increases by 3.375" in front and in the rear. With 245/75/16 tires, ride height increases about an additional .50". NCV3 ride height with stock tires increases by 2.5" in front and in the rear. With 265/75/16 tires, ride height increases about an additional .50". T1N ground clearance at front cross-member: 9.0", transfer case: 11.50" and rear diff: 9.75" NCV3 ground clearance at front cross-member: 10.50", transfer case: 12.0" and rear diff: 9.75" The turning radius is slightly reduced on the T1N and not affected on the NCV3. The fiberglass transverse front spring is replaced with independent coil spring suspension. The stock transmission cross-member mount is replaced with a new heavy duty cross-member. Clearance at the cross-member is 11.50" on the T1N and 12.00" on the NCV3. On the T1N, a 3.125" spacer with bump stop is placed between the rear axle perch and the spring pack. The NCV3 has a 3.50" lift in the front and the rear. The rear shock location is retained by inserting a spacer block. Using our rear spring assist kit is not recommended; however, using our up-graded sway bar and Koni shocks is acceptable under most 4wd conditions. The conversion includes a new transmission case with a short extension housing to mate (or marry) the transfer case directly to the transmission. The transmission and transfer case functions are operated by a manual floor mounted shift lever. The driveshaft is shortened by about 12". A new driveshaft is made which includes larger, heavy duty u-joints with Zert fittings and uses a much larger carrier bearing. On the 02-06 model, the fuel tank gets replaced with a 24 gal. tank that has a recessed area to allow clearance for the transfer case. An optional extended range fuel tank will be offered in the future. The 07 and newer factory tank remains in place and an optional 18 gallon extended range fuel tank is available. The conversion involves reusing your own Sprinter's wheels, brake pads, brake caliper, brake rotor, brake lines, lower control arm and power steering rack. You can expect a fuel economy loss of 10-15%. The conversion process is extensive. For this reason, it will only performed at our location. Kits will not be available for sale "over the counter". 4x4 related components will be warranted by for 24 months / 24,000 miles. 4x4 conversion pricing will vary directly with your configuration and any added options. Therefore, a $10,000 non-refundable deposit will be required on all orders. Conversion kit build ship time is approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Conversion installation time for the kit is 1 to 2 weeks depending on our schedule. 4x4 Conversions will start at $26,000 depending on your configuration and any added options. Take into consideration that your 4x4 conversion investment will enhance the value and appeal of your Sprinter at resale. Our 4x4 Conversion vs. the Competition: Why is the Sprinter 4x4 conversion kit so expensive? All the components in this conversion are OEM parts designed to fit your Sprinter vs. the standard default Ford parts that are made to fit in a generic type conversion. Part of the price you pay is for the Foreign exchange rates and the shipping costs from overseas. Remember, when you purchased your Sprinter, you paid a significantly higher price for it than you would have for a Ford E-Van! The same will hold true for a 4wd conversion. The Sprinter 4x4 conversion is built with fully functional safety systems. For instance, the T1N fuel tank has a cut-out for proper spacing from the transfer case. The tank will be less likely to fail in an accident. Mercedes crumple zones and the collapsing motion of the engine/transmission are retained. Other conversions do not have the crash engineering incorporated in their design. The increase in ride height with the conversion is only about 3.5". This low center of gravity is significant in possible roll over situations. Other conversions sit as much as 3" higher creating potential handling issues which may not properly integrate with the Sprinter's ESP, ABS and ASR systems. The Sprinter 4x4 conversion uses the OEM sub-frame assembly which places the wheels, suspension and steering assembly in the exact same position as the 2wd Sprinter. This is critical to maintaining the excellent steering and handling characteristics that are engineered into your Sprinter. Other conversions may not properly locate these assemblies which may result in steering, tracking and handling issues. The Sprinter 4x4 conversion uses an attached transfer case which mates directly to the transmission keeping the drive train assembly compact which reduces vibrations. Other conversion companies use a divorced transfer case with an additional driveshaft between the transfer case and the transmission. This will produce more drive train noise and vibration. The Sprinter 4x4 conversion uses OEM parts. Servicing your Sprinter will not change. You will use the same brake pads, rotors, caliper and wheels you used before which you will be able to purchase almost anywhere you travel. If you have a fleet of Sprinters, very little will change. With other conversions, you will be dealing with a miss match of drive trains front to rear dual sets of parts. The Sprinter 4x4 conversion uses the factory wheels mounting to the factory front hubs and rear axles in the exact same physical locations as the 2wd Sprinter. Other conversion companies are using wheel spacers to "square things up" when mounting wheels to the vehicle. This can result in tracking and handling problems. In the long run, you will find the genuine 4x4 Conversion is the conversion of choice. |
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