Custom Van Builds · Black Forest, CO · Est. 2019
Built
for the
road.
Custom Mercedes Sprinter conversions for people who want to get out and explore with modern comforts — whether that means living in it full time or just living like it on weekends.
One pro builder. Every system.
Conversion vans built to last.
Welded, framed, plumbed, wired, and finished by hand. Built from real experience in the trades and real time van living. Every system is thought through. James stays in touch long after the sale.
AWDOff-road capable
600AhLithium power
'19Est. 2019
COBlack Forest
The 2023 AWD build
Inside the build
Every detail of the 2023 AWD conversion. Interior, systems, exterior. Click any photo to expand.
$169,000
Black Forest, CO · 2,500 miles · Diesel
Front exterior
Black Forest, CO
Power system
Renogy REGO · 600Ah
Projector
Drop-down screen
Cassette toilet
Slides from under bed
Full shower
Plumbed to grey tank
Roof
Solar · 12V AC · Starlink
01
600Ah Lithium Power
Renogy REGO pure sine wave inverter, self-heating lithium, and solar. Truly off-grid capable for days at a time.
02
Full kitchen and shower
Induction cooktop, walnut butcher block, Bodega fridge, full shower, and a slide-out cassette toilet. Nothing compromised.
03
AWD and mountain ready
4MATIC AWD, factory RV suspension, BFG KO3s, heated floors, Espar diesel heater, and a ski boot dryer. Made for Colorado.
04
6-month warranty
James stands behind every build. Available by phone or FaceTime after delivery. No drop and run. Most buyers stay in touch for years.
For sale2023
Sprinter 2500 AWD
$169,000 · 2,500 miles
Sold2020
Sprinter 2500 RWD
144" · Family build
Sold2019
Sprinter 2500 4x4
Overland build
Sold2018
Sprinter V6 RWD
First build · Camp style
All builds
Van Gallery
Every van James has built. Each one designed around how the owner actually plans to use it.
For sale · $169,000
2023
Sprinter 2500 AWD · 144" High Roof
Full overland conversion · Selenite Grey Metallic
The most complete build James has done. Factory-ordered AWD with the RV Technical and Suspension bundles, 600Ah lithium, 12V rooftop AC, full shower, slide-out cassette toilet, Samsung projector, ski boot dryer, heated floors, and walnut interior throughout. Fully tested before listing.
- 2023 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 AWD · 2,500 miles
- 600Ah Renogy LiFePO4 · Renogy REGO inverter charger
- 12V rooftop AC (11,500 BTU) · Espar diesel heater
- Full shower · slide-out cassette toilet · heated floors
- Walnut ceiling · butcher block countertop · topo backsplash
- Samsung Freestyle projector · 100" drop-down screen
- Factory swivel seats · MBUX 10.25" · Apple CarPlay
- 6-month builder warranty included
Sold
2020
Sprinter 2500 RWD · 144"
Family weekend build · White
Built for the family that wants to ski every mountain in Colorado without booking a hotel. The standout feature is the rare factory bench seat — three passengers, swivels to face the cabin. All-electric with 400Ah lithium, Dometic AC, Espar heater, full kitchen, 35-gallon fresh water, and a shower box.
- 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 RWD · 144" high roof
- Rare factory bench seat, seats 3, swivels to cabin
- 400Ah lithium · 300W solar · Renogy 3000W inverter
- Dometic AC · Espar S2 D2 diesel heater
- 35-gal fresh · 21-gal grey · Bosch hot water heater
- Dometic fridge/freezer · 2-burner induction · microwave
Sold
2019
Sprinter 2500 4x4
Overland gear hauler
A gear hauler built for someone who wants to bring bikes, skis, and adventure equipment without giving up comfort. Aluminum-framed cabinetry, Victron lithium, custom roof rack with ski rack, and an Espar diesel heater. Built to go anywhere.
- 2019 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 4x4
- Aluminum-framed cabinetry · steel bed frame
- Victron lithium energy system
- Espar D2 brushless diesel heater
- 300W solar · custom roof rack with ski rack
- AMP Research retractable running boards
Sold
2018
Sprinter V6 RWD
Family and overland build
A versatile build combining overland capability with comfortable living. Solar, Victron lithium, blue shaker cabinetry, butcher block counter, rear slide-out garage platform, and lifted with off-road tires.
- 2018 Mercedes Sprinter V6 RWD
- Victron lithium · solar panels
- Blue shaker cabinetry · butcher block counter
- Rear slide-out garage platform
- Lifted suspension · off-road tires
Sold
2011
Sprinter V6 RWD
The first build · Camp style
Not built to haul gear. Built to actually live in. Camp-style, refined, comfortable. 400W solar, custom butcher block covers, 2-burner stove, on-demand propane hot water, outdoor shower, and an Espar heater. You can see the DNA of every build that came after in this one.
- 2011 Mercedes Sprinter V6 RWD
- Dometic refrigerator
- Custom walnut butcher block covers
- 2-burner stove · on-demand propane hot water
- Outdoor shower and rinse station · Espar D2 diesel heater
Questions about a build?
James is happy to walk you through any of the builds or talk specs.
Back to Van Gallery
For sale · $169,000
2023 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 AWD · 144" High Roof
Selenite Grey Metallic · Diesel · Black Forest, CO · 2,500 miles
Cabinetry
Topo map backsplash
Projector
100" drop-down screen
Exterior and Chassis
- 2023 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 AWD · 2,500 miles
- Factory RV Technical and RV Suspension bundles
- 4MATIC torque-on-demand AWD
- Factory leather swivel seats with lumbar support
- 10.25" MBUX touchscreen · Apple CarPlay
- Active Lane Keep · Brake Assist · Blind Spot · Distronic
- 360 parking · rain sensor · push button start · 4 keys
- Custom welded perforated aluminum roof rack
- 6 front off-road lights (2 amber, 4 white)
- Campsite LED lighting, amber and white, sides and rear
- AMP Research electric running boards
- Aluminess rear door box, spare tire carrier, ladder
- BFGoodrich KO3 all-terrain tires · jet black rims
- 12V rooftop AC (11,500 BTU) · Maxxair MaxxFan
- Renogy 200W ShadowFlux solar · Starlink flat mount
- 30A shore power inlets · Terrawagen mudguards
- 28-gallon grey tank · electronic motorized ball valve
Power and Electrical
- Renogy REGO pure sine wave inverter charger
- 600Ah Renogy LiFePO4 lithium (3 x 200Ah, self-heating)
- Custom welded battery enclosure with floor hatch access
- Two DC-DC 50A chargers, controllable from driver seat
- Renogy ONE Core monitor with Bluetooth
- Full labeled RV circuit breaker panel
- USB outlets throughout · 12V dimmer switches throughout
- Pop-up countertop outlet
- KILMAT sound deadening · 3M Thinsulate SM600L insulation
- Marine-grade wiring with full split loom protection
- Electric heated flooring throughout living area
- Grey tank and electrical controllable from front cab
Kitchen
- Solid walnut butcher block countertop
- Custom walnut sink cover (flips to serving tray)
- Topo map vinyl wrap backsplash
- TORVA 15x17 gunmetal undermount sink
- Moen matte black gooseneck pull-down faucet
- Empava induction cooktop · RV microwave
- Bodega Cooler 12V compressor refrigerator
- Isotemp 5-gallon instant hot water heater
- Upper cabinets with gas-strut lift, outlets and USB inside
Living and Sleeping
- Custom walnut veneer ceiling throughout
- Queen memory foam mattress
- Samsung Freestyle projector · drop-down screen (100", 1080p)
- Two Lagun swivel tables with walnut tops
- Espar diesel heater, altitude-ready for Colorado
- Custom shower with floor drain to grey tank
- Slide-out cassette toilet, under bed, completely hidden
- Boot dryer · full garage and undercarriage storage
- Garage sprayer and hose accessible from rear
- CRL sliding windows both sides · T-vent window
- Custom blackout shades throughout
- Two Patagonia Black Hole 70L duffels included
Water System
- 35-gallon fresh water tank
- 28-gallon grey tank · electronic motorized ball valve
- All plumbing foam-insulated · PEX lines · brass fittings
- Seaflo accumulator tank for consistent pressure
- Air blowout system for winterization
- Full trip tested, every system verified working
Email James directly
6-month builder warranty included. Every system was tested on a full trip before listing. If anything needs fixing in the first six months, James handles it. He is available by phone or FaceTime after delivery. You are not buying a product. You are buying access to the person who built every inch of it. Cash or verified funds only.
Next
2020 Sprinter 2500 RWD
Sold
Back to Van Gallery
Sold
2020 Sprinter 2500 RWD · 144" High Roof
White · Diesel · Black Forest, CO · Family weekend build
Build Specs
- 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 RWD · 144" high roof
- Rare factory bench seat, seats 3, swivels to cabin
- 400Ah lithium battery bank
- 300W solar (3 x 100W panels)
- Renogy 3000W inverter · Renogy Core One controller
- RTX 2000 Dometic Air Conditioner
- Espar S2 D2 diesel heater
- Havelock Wool insulation throughout
Kitchen and Living
- Dometic refrigerator and freezer
- 2-burner induction stove cooktop · built-in microwave
- Stainless steel sink · Delta sprayer faucet
- Bosch hot water heater
- 35-gal fresh water tank · 21-gal grey tank
- Electronic grey tank ball valve
- Thetford cassette toilet · shower box
- Rear water sprayer · MaxxAir vent fan
- Memory foam mattress · swivel table
Previous
2023 Sprinter 2500 AWD
For Sale
Next
2019 Sprinter 2500 4x4
Sold
Build Specs
- 2019 Mercedes Sprinter 2500 4x4
- Aluminum-framed cabinetry
- Steel bed frame
- Victron lithium energy system
- Espar D2 brushless diesel heater
- 300W solar · custom roof rack with ski rack
Features
- Overland shades and screen door
- AMP Research retractable running boards
- 4x4 capable · lifted suspension
- Gear hauler layout with ski storage
- Full kitchen and sleeping setup
Previous
2020 Sprinter 2500 RWD
Sold
Next
2018 Sprinter V6 RWD
Sold
Build Specs
- 2018 Mercedes Sprinter V6 RWD
- 400W solar · custom roof rack
- Victron lithium energy system
- 65Q Dometic refrigerator
- Custom walnut butcher block countertop
- Delta faucet · deep kitchen sink
Features
- 3-burner stove with oven
- On-demand propane hot water heater
- Outdoor shower and rinse station
- Espar D2 diesel heater
- Camp-style interior layout
- Memory foam mattress
Previous
2019 Sprinter 2500 4x4
Sold
Build Specs
- 2011 Mercedes Sprinter V6 RWD
- Dometic refrigerator
- Custom walnut butcher block covers
- 2-burner stove · on-demand propane hot water
- Outdoor shower and rinse station · Espar D2 diesel heater
Features
- Custom walnut butcher block countertop
- Delta faucet · deep kitchen sink
- On-demand propane hot water heater
- Outdoor shower and rinse station
- Drop-down projector screen
- Swivel cab seats · under-bed cooler slide-out
Notes
- The first build. You can see the DNA of every build that came after in this one.
Previous
2018 Sprinter V6 RWD
Sold
Next
2023 Sprinter 2500 AWD
For sale
The builder
James Frank
Welding, carpentry, plumbing, electrical. Black Forest, CO. Est. 2019.
James Frank is a builder in every sense. He has welded, framed, plumbed, wired, and finished more projects than most people attempt in a lifetime, from restoring a 1899 Victorian home in Colorado Springs to managing custom renovation projects to building vans that people actually live adventures in. He is currently in London studying CNC machining, always pushing what is possible in the craft.
Sprinter Stories started as a personal idea — a way to ski every mountain, stay anywhere, and never book a hotel. What James didn't expect was how much he'd love seeing others get to experience that same feeling. Every van presents new design challenges. Every build is a little better than the last.
What sets James apart is not just the quality of the build. It is what happens after. He walks every buyer through the systems and is easy to reach long after delivery.
With gratitude
Meg — a partner and supporter of James's work from the very beginning
Jim and Julie — his parents, who provide the workshop, help on builds, and help make all of it possible
April — his wife, who helps keep Sprinter Stories looking good and going
AWDOff-road capable
COBlack Forest
'19Est. 2019
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included with the van for sale?−
The 2023 AWD Sprinter is as complete as a van build gets. 600Ah lithium, 12V AC, full shower, cassette toilet, projector, ski boot dryer, heated floors, walnut interior, and a complete kitchen. Fully tested before listing. Comes with a 6-month builder warranty and direct access to James after delivery.
Do you do custom builds?+
Not at the moment. James is primarily focused on selling the 2023 AWD build right now. That said, if you have something specific in mind and want to have a conversation about it, feel free to reach out — he's happy to talk through what might be possible down the road.
Can I see the van in person before buying?+
Absolutely. The van is in Black Forest, CO. James is also happy to do a full video walkthrough if you are out of state before making the trip.
What platforms do you build on?+
Primarily Mercedes Sprinter 2500 and 3500, both 2WD and 4x4/AWD. The Sprinter is the best platform for a full conversion because of the headroom, reliability, diesel engine, and parts availability. It is what James knows best and builds most.
What are the payment terms?+
Cash or verified funds only. No owner financing. Serious inquiries only, please.
Most buyers drive or fly into Colorado Springs or Denver, spend time going through the van with James in person, and drive it home. Shipping can be arranged, but local pickup is preferred — and James will make sure you leave knowing how everything works.
Ready to see it?
The 2023 AWD build is available now in Black Forest, CO.
The best way to reach James is directly by email. He reads every message and responds personally — questions about the van, the build process, specs, or anything else. No form, no middleman.
sprinterstoriesllc@gmail.com
Based in Black Forest, Colorado
The van is available for in-person viewing by appointment.
