2022 Yeti 129 FR build

[daloof]

Ok, it’s a lot, so ill try to remember everything.



It’s a MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 – 144 hightop.



The goal here was to build the ultimate dirt/snowbike hauler / daily driver. The key was to build it so that its modular and can change modes on the fly depending on use. Had to be easy and quick. Easy to clean, maintain and has to have real 4wd capabilities.



So far I can say that the sprinter has exceeded my expectations. If you are blessed enough to get one, do it. Some guys might think you are a van-lifer, but who cares…. This is not a vanlife type van and I have no intentions of living out of it, only camping and staging.



Currently has 4 modes:

1. Daily driver mode - pretty much empty and can haul kids around or haul anything a truck can
2. Local dirt bike rip mode - fit 2-3 bikes in the back and go for a short rip. Perfect to take the kids out in the woods.
3. Extended dirt bike trip mode - fit 2 bikes and adults plus all camping gear
4. Snowbike mode - Haul the snowbike up the mountain or to other riding areas

Exterior

Basically all business to go places and not get stuck…. I didn’t want to add any windows to retain R-value and to stay somewhat stealthy.



32 or 33” (cant remember exactly) BFG KO2’s, all around great tires

ARB twin compressor with air tank and regulator

21 Gallon fresh water tank with pump, removable and fits in my OEM spare tire carrier under the van.

Baja designs squadron lights infront, these things are great for being so small, add yellow lenses for snowy days.

Rigid diffused lights in the rear for loading and unloading in the dark.

VanCompass 2.3 stage suspension kit (OEM height, not raised), helps a TON on washboard roads and going up gnarlier routes… VanCompass makes GREAT stuff.

Recovery/Extraction points on rear and front

Warn 12K winch

Vancompass skid plates, front and also in the rear.

Spare tire carrier with recovery tools etc.

Fiamma awning for hot/sunny days

 

[daloof]

Interior

The interior is basically a garage, and shelter from the elements, at least that is how I look at it. When camping I just use an air mattress in the back, works real well. Super happy with it, maybe only other thing I want to add is a Diesel heater incase I have to overnight it up at the mountain on a snow day. Notice how much floorspace I have, its not mucked up with a bunch of crap.


Floor is heavy duty rubber coin that is glued over pressure treated plywood, under that is a thin layer of sound deadening/insulation

Walls are stuffed with Havelock wool, great R-Vale, natural, non flammable and is super easy to install or remove. Sound deadening material were added too.

MaxxAir fan to get rid of sweat in the summer, or fuel vapors, excess water in the van on snowbike days

Radius off road cabin shelf holds sleeping bag etc over front seats

Helmet hooks, Back door pockets Side door bug net & Shelf that holds bike fluids are from RB components, I like their stuff, simple and useful.

Cant remember the name of the folding rear seat but its made by a buss company, awesome to be able to fold it up when not in use.

Rear grab handles are from Etrailer

Speed Tools toolbox from Robby Gordon can basically fix anything, got all tools you could ever imagine in there. A KibbeTech mount holds it down.

Air compressor outlet under the passenger seat with guage, great to blow out dust or snow, great for air mattresses or for airing up tires etc, also another air outlet on the rear of the van.

Front seats swivel and are heated, a nice bonus.

 

[daloof]

Ill go into a little more detail on the modes of use….







Daily driver mode

pretty much empty with back seat folded down, haul kids around or haul anything a truck can. As a daily driver this thing is actually not bad at all, drives smooth, is responsive and has good turning radius, only limiting factor is the tall roof.



Local dirt bike rip mode

To mount the bikes I use the Bolt-it On system, fits 2-3 bikes and is super easy to mount or unmount. This rack also has strap mounting points. I can easily fit 2 bikes, 3 is doable but it’s a tight fit. Big shout out to Step ramp, I love this thing, makes it so easy to load and unload bikes in the van.

 

[daloof]

Extended dirt bike trip mode

For extended trips I add a dometic fridge that is strapped on a slide out, the slide out will be mounted to the floor via riv-nuts, then I place a shelf system I made over that, it holds a Yeti 500x that powers the fridge plus all electronics, and on top of the shelf is a strapped on bag that holds all cooking supplies and gas grill. The shelf is strapped down with large titan straps. Again, made to be easy to add or remove in a snap. Working on this now and plan to add strap mounts/riv-nuts this spring.

 

[daloof]

Snowbike mode

Basically like daily driver mode, kept empty to house the snowbike and timbersled ramp. I use the OEM strap points to keep the bike secure during transportation. Bike fits well within the van, but as you can see it does take up more room than a regular dirt bike, I haven’t tried doing 2 snowbikes yet, but im curious to see if I could make it work.





Just took these pics just for this post, didn’t take me long to load and unload it all…. Didn’t realize how dirty the floor was till I saw these pics, I just don’t clean the van very often as it always gets dirtied up…. So, pretty dialed in I think, but not done, I see things I can improve on.



Feel free to ask questions, so much going on here im sure I missed somethings.

 

[Popik]

Love the Van man. The sheer versatility of them is amazing. Mine is still in transition for function but do all the same sorts of things and also a bit of work just to help justify the expense. Just got my snowbike setup sorted today...its temporary for now depending how well the water tray idea works lol.

Thats fold up bench seat is probably the best solution ive ever seen, If you recall the name id be interested for sure.

 

[daloof]

That’s great… as far as water, I live on a slope, it drips out through holes in the floor, hasn’t been an issue yet, but having that said I do consider my flooring a wear item.

Looks like you got a ton of room in there!

 

[daloof]

I looked it up, the seat is a Freedman

Foldaway Bus Seat​

 

[Popik]

That’s great… as far as water, I live on a slope, it drips out through holes in the floor, hasn’t been an issue yet, but having that said I do consider my flooring a wear item.

Looks like you got a ton of room in there!

Ya theres definitely room for one more bike. Sourcing some similar flooring as well but haven't had the time to get into as far as id like to yet. I like the simple modular was yours it setup though and thinking of going a similar route.

 

[dooman92]

I've been using a Promaster van for three years. Not going back to pickup or trailer. I have a 136" wb and I have had three snowbikes in it without much difficulty. Two 120's and a 129. Two in forward and one in track first. I think it is called L track or A track that I have secured to the floor and use short chain/carabiner from foot peg to floor. I have 72" in width and 121" in length of floor space. Yeah, ditto on the versatility.