[GotDiesel?]

I think the kit seems like good value but I wish the website had more detailed specs of what you are getting, such as 12v socket type, location, wiring etc as well as more info on the panel upholstery and fastening.

I have been told by Hailey at Adventure Wagon that they will have their full series of install videos for the Transit kit posted on YouTube by December. These videos have been a long time coming. If you have watched their series on the Sprinter install, you can probably anticipate a similar level of information.

One of things about their kit that I think is probably a hidden value, (if it the same as the way they do the Sprinter) is the fact that the Thinsulate is pre-cut and labeled for each compartment. From what I have read about others installing Thinsulate, it can be difficult to cut and can if using scissors, be tiring after a while. Then there is the measuring of all the different size space and transferring those measurement to the Thinsulate. How many trips in and out of the van would that take?

 

[gtvbrendan]

I'm leaning to purchasing an AW kit, but need them to release the Extended+High configuration! I don't imagine needing the flexibility that their system allows, but appreciate the strength-adding aspect of their design.

Another nice feature of the Adventure Wagon kit is the rear panel pockets they have for the Transit that maximize side-side width... this seems like a difficult thing to execute cleanly as a DIYer.

I'd like to learn more details about what they do for the 'window shroud' panels/trimming when you have rear side windows.

Are there any other companies offering a DIY kit for Transits besides AW and Wayfarer?

 

[JamesVanCat]

Another nice feature of the Adventure Wagon kit is the rear panel pockets they have for the Transit that maximize side-side width... this seems like a difficult thing to execute cleanly as a DIYer.

Are you talking about what is shown in this picture?

As for other companies offering DIY kits for the transit these were the only two that I've come across. They were both release pretty recently as well.

 

[gtvbrendan]

Are you talking about what is shown in this picture?

View attachment 141151

As for other companies offering DIY kits for the transit these were the only two that I've come across. They were both release pretty recently as well.

Yeah, thats the wall pocket.

 

[dhfu624]

Does anyone know if they will offer Low Roof wall brackets? The website only states MR/HR configurations.

 

[mikeg]

You are understating what is included with their kit. Do some real research. They include sound deadener and Thinsulate insulation pre cut to size and labeled for each wall section, additional wall bracing that is powder coated for strengthening the L track install, L track for ceiling and wall cabinet and bed mounting, electrical harness, LED ceiling lights and finished ceiling and wall panels. There are probably more incidental items included that I am not remembering.

I doubt that the average DIY build could be done to the same level of finish as the AW kit if you were to track your hours assembling the components and paid yourself a living wage.

The biggest drawback to their kit is the way the electrical wiring assumes only one layout. If you want to use a different layout, you would have to re-route from their wiring harness. Also, any extra windows would need custom treatment.

For DIY builders with limited skills, work space and/or time, the Adventure Wagon kit will get you a finished interior in a relatively short time. Mounting batteries, water storage, finish flooring and cabinets are all items that would be needed in addition to the kit.

No, I don't work for them or get anything from them. I have looked at their kit and compared it to hiring out a conversion to an upfitter and it is a competitive way to go. Do I wish it were priced at $500? Well, YEAH.

+1 for all of the above!

You also get some amazing customer service and videos. I've been back and forth with them on the kit and I've found that invaluable.

They are also open to working to me to customize the kit. I'm leaning towards eliminating their electrical kit because it doesn't adequately meet my needs well enough as mentioned above with a different layout with batteries in the back.

 

[SION1771]

They just put a TON of videos up which have pretty much every single detail elaborated on during the installs. Around four hours of install videos in the past few days.

Adventure Wagon

Adventure Wagon is the leader in Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van interior conversion kits. We offer a modular interior conversion kit that will transform a Merced...

www.youtube.com

 

[JamesVanCat]

Does anyone know if they will offer Low Roof wall brackets? The website only states MR/HR configurations.

I don't think they will offer those. They have never offered them for the Sprinter and they have offered kits for them for a while.

 

[J_of_Today]

I picked up my Adventure Wagon kit Friday. Will start on it this weekend. I can barely summon the energy to watch any installation videos after driving from Portland to San Francisco with a fairly heavy load, on wet roads, in high winds, while still getting used to taller tires, in a 10.5-foot-tall van, with my wife and two dogs.

 

[SION1771]

What an adventure. Glad I'm too far away to consider driving to pick it up. Please post pictures and stuff - would love to follow your progress!!

I picked up my Adventure Wagon kit Friday. Will start on it this weekend. I can barely summon the energy to watch any installation videos after driving from Portland to San Francisco with a fairly heavy load, on wet roads, in high winds, while still getting used to taller tires, in a 10.5-foot-tall van, with my wife and two dogs.

 

[JamesVanCat]

I picked up my Adventure Wagon kit Friday. Will start on it this weekend. I can barely summon the energy to watch any installation videos after driving from Portland to San Francisco with a fairly heavy load, on wet roads, in high winds, while still getting used to taller tires, in a 10.5-foot-tall van, with my wife and two dogs.

It sounds like you were able to pick up the kit using the Transit is that right?
Also like SION1771 please post pic if you have time would also love to follow your progress.

 

[J_of_Today]

It sounds like you were able to pick up the kit using the Transit is that right?
Also like SION1771 please post pic if you have time would also love to follow your progress.

yeah, I picked it up with the Transit. The pallet is 42.5" wide, and about 8 or 9 feet long. It was probably about 60+ inches tall.
I carry a 5x7 cargo net in my van so I used that to strap it in so it wouldn't slide forward and kill us all.
it looked like this:

 

[SION1771]

Wow - that's a lot. I feel like you wasted the opportunity to get cracking on the install while the van was en route back to Cali.

 

[J_of_Today]

OK, I've got about 16 hours of work into the Adventure Wagon installation project.
I am pretty handy, so nothing has been beyond my capabilities, but it's not a trivial install.

Some initial thoughts - EDITED #3 below

1. Installing Maxxair Deluxe Fan - I already have two fans installed so not a factor for me right now, but it did involve cutting a 14x14 hole in the van and some wiring.
2. You have to drill A LOT of holes in the interior of the van. I live in CA so I am not super worried about rust, but it's a consideration. I am careful to rust protect every hole, and I do my best to clean up all the metal shavings with a vacuum and a magnet. I'll never get it all, but I get most of it wherever possible.
3. The center vertical A Frame pieces require drilling into double thick hardened steel near the roof of my HR van. This straight-up sucks but it's not the end of the world. On day one, it took me hours to drill a handful of 25/64" holes. I still haven't figured out an easy way to do this, because a battled a couple more on the other side of the van on day 2. I eventually started with a 1/4" cobalt bit, and increasing bit size one at a time (fractions) until I got to the 25/64 bit. I thought that to get through the steel you have to generate a lot of heat, and a lot of force. [I later learned this was my problem. To get through the boron steel or any of the sheet metal, you have to SLOW the drill down and let the bit do the work. Don't use too much force. Some suggested you might even use some oil to lube the bit to prevent ruining the bit. But by the time I learned this I had already gotten the holes drilled and blunted two bits.] By the time I finished with the A Frame I was pretty good at drilling the holes and installing the rivnuts. Just be ready for a battle with that hardened steel.
4. the 3/16th stainless steel pop rivets are also hard to deal with if you have a one-handed manual riveter. I was using one, and had to order a better heavy duty riveter. Now it's much easier. See pic below. I am now using the Astro 1423. It's great. I just don't see the value of plopping down $300 on the Milwaukee power riveter, but if you have one, that would be awesome.
5. Be sure you are following directions (which ain't always easy when the instructions are in video form, not step by step written instructions -- call me old school) -- I had to drill out 4 Rivnuts on day 2 because I forgot to one cinch nut clearance hole (cinch nuts are going to be used to attach the L Track to the A frame. You have to drill a clearance hole to allow the bolt to fully seat in the L Track). That sucked having to drill out the rivnuts.
6. I am using the Astro 1450 nut setter for the Rivnuts. I do not have an air compressor, so the pneumatic setter wasn't an option for me and again I don't want to spend a lot of money on tools I have no room for and will probably use sparingly if at all. the manual 1450 works really well, and will also work with plusnuts.

 

[SION1771]

You have a Harbor Freight near you? A rivnut gun and compressor would be around $150, less if you use coupons. Don't know if they're great long-term, but probably better than hand.

 

[J_of_Today]

You have a Harbor Freight near you? A rivnut gun and compressor would be around $150, less if you use coupons. Don't know if they're great long-term, but probably better than hand.

Yeah, I do, but It's 45-60 minutes from me. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I am actually good with hand tools at this point. I have not had good experiences with Harbor Freight's power/air tools. And, I don't have any room for any additional power tools -- definitely not an air compressor capable of delivering the power you need to efficiently seat a rivnut.

 

[Jacek]

Thank you for sharing your efforts and experiences, J_of_Today. Once you get to installing the wall panels, please let us know how dust-absorbent the fabric is, and how easy it would be to vacuum or clean otherwise.

 

[OutsideJack]

And speaking of fabric lined walls... how will they do with condensation? They look great but I have concerns that they might start to absorb moisture and possibly get moldy?

 

[J_of_Today]

And speaking of fabric lined walls... how will they do with condensation? They look great but I have concerns that they might start to absorb moisture and possibly get moldy?

Good points, I'll do it. Meantime, you might be able to glean this info from the Sprinter forums as these kits have been available for Sprinters for a while now.

 

[GotDiesel?]

Is it safe to assume that you don't have the power sliding door?