This build is a full custom 2025 Mercedes Sprinter 170 AWD built for real use, not just weekends. It’s designed to handle off-grid travel, four-season conditions, and long stays without cutting corners. Power, insulation, heating, cooling, storage, and durability were all prioritized over gimmicks.
Below is the complete shop build list for the Garner van, El Capitan tier build, outlining exactly what went into the van from electrical and plumbing to interior finishes and exterior upgrades.
⚡ Electricity
This system is built to run everything—AC included—without blinking.
- 400W solar system
- 50A DC-DC battery charger
- 800Ah lithium iron battery bank
- 3000W inverter/charger (UL-rated, pure sine wave)
- Six 110V outlets with USB-A & USB-C
- One 110V GFCI outlet on control panel
- Daisy-chained before all other outlets
- Additional switched GFCI for Bosch appliance
- 30A shore power hookup
🚿 Plumbing
Designed for real use, real winters, and zero sketchy shortcuts.
- 33G over-wheel-well fresh water tank
- Water level sensor
- Heating pad
- Havelock wool insulation under tank
- Heated greywater system
- Bemis shower mat (suction cup style)
- Laveo Dry Flush toilet
- Internal battery
- Anti-slip grip pad
- Rain cover
- Indoor tiled shower (hot & cold)
- 4-gallon electric water heater
- Rear outdoor shower
🌡 Heating & Cooling
Four-season capable. Snow, desert, whatever.
- Premium insulation package
- Havelock wool throughout
- Foam-insulated PEX lines and fittings
- Exterior pipe insulation under van
- RecPro tank heater pads on fresh + grey tanks
- Maxxair Deluxe ceiling fan (remote controlled)
- 12V Nomadic roof-mounted A/C
- Espar diesel cabin heater
🍳 Kitchen
Compact, efficient, and actually usable.
- Acacia butcher block countertop with pop-up extension
- Portable single-burner induction cooktop
- Undermount sink with hot/cold faucet + sink cover
- Isotherm Cruise 130 refrigerator
- 700W microwave
🎨 Aesthetic & Interior Finish
Clean, warm, modern—no MDF nonsense.
- Wood ceiling and walls (no MDF shiplap)
- Stained finish throughout
- Vinyl wood-style flooring
- Recessed dimmable LED ceiling lights
- Advanced interior lighting package
- Under-kitchen LED strips
- Garage lighting
- Two dedicated reading lights (direct wired, bypassing main switch)
- Custom shower tile
- Tile backsplash
🧳 Storage
Because clutter kills van life.
- Four overhead cabinets
- Under-counter double-door cabinet (40″)
- Under-counter drawer cabinet (15″)
- Under-counter storage cabinet (15″)
- Floor-to-ceiling closet
- Shelves on top
- Hanging rod below
- Bench seat with internal storage + outlet
- Bed-face drawers / step system with grip tape
- Pull-out spice rack next to fridge
- Headliner shelf
- Two heavy-duty pull-out garage trays
🧰 Miscellaneous & Exterior Upgrades
This is where it turns into an expedition rig.
- Queen memory foam mattress (80” x 60” x 6”)
- Swivel driver & passenger seats
- Fire extinguisher
- CO / smoke detector
- Lagun adjustable swivel table
- FVCO roof rack with light-bar-ready fairing + ladder
- 50” LED light bar
- Driver & passenger T-vent windows
- Body flares for extended sleeping width
- Electric awning with integrated LEDs
- AMP power steps
- Tuff Skin bed liner (sprayed over plastic panels)
- All-terrain wheels & tires (set of 5)
Water, Suspension & Recovery
- Guzzle H2O Stealth 5 water purification system
- Van Compass Stage 4.3 suspension upgrade
- CA Tuned front bumper with D-ring shackles
- Warn 12S winch
- KC SlimLite 8” LED light bundle
- Rear door platform, storage box, ladder & tire carrier
- RakAttach hitch swing-out
- 1Up double bike mount
📡 Tech & Comfort
- Starlink In-Motion High Performance Kit
- Serial number preserved in customer manual (important)
- 24” Vizio smart TV with swivel mount
- Magnetic blackout window covers (10-piece set)
- Full bug-net kit
🎯 Color & Finish Selections
Every detail is intentional.
- Flooring: Chaparral Oak
- Stain: Cactus Wax Traditional
- Cabinets & Doors: White
- Fixtures & Hardware: Matte Black
- Door Handles: Black leather / black knobs
- Rims: Arsenal Matte Black
- Shower Tile: Tauleto Bianco with gray grout
- Backsplash Tile: Tauleto Bianco with gray grout
- Cushion Fabric: Sunbrella Dupione Celeste (13233)
- Flares & Hood: Matte Black
