Information and History regarding the Sprinter 

Dodge Sprinter – Mercedes Sprinter – Freightliner Sprinter 

The Sprinter is a commercial / passenger vehicle that comes in a number of different

configurations and is available in a number of different countries. The Sprinter was

manufactured by Daimler AG under a few different brand names (Mercedes-Benz,

Dodge, Freightliner).

Timeline of vans produced by Daimler AG:

L319 "GrosTransporter" (German Language)

(1956-1967)

L206 "Harburger Transporter" (German Langauge)

(1970-1977)

T2 "Dusseldorfer Transporter" 1st Generation (German Language)

(1967-1986)

T2 "Dusseldorfer Transporter" 2nd Generation (German Language)

(1986-1996)

T1/TN "Bremer Transporter"

,

(German Language)

(1977-1995)

T1N Sprinter 1st Generation

(1995-2006)

NCV3 Sprinter 2nd Generation

(2006-present)

 

T1N Sprinter 1st Generation (1995 – 2006)

 

The Sprinter T1N (Transporter 1 Neu) is the replacement for the Bremer T1. T1N's

come as cargo, passenger, or chassis versions. Production for the T1N continued

into 2006 model year for the US market.

T1N's comes in three wheelbases (118in, 140in, and 158in), two roof heights

(standard and high), and two weight classes (2500 and 3500) where the 3500 series

comes with dual rear wheels.

Earlier models (1995-1999) exhibited a floating three pointed star in the middle of

the grille. The design was later changed to a half circle cut out of the engine bonnet

to encompass the three pointed star. The horizontal air vents just above the bonnet

were widened in 2002.

The T1N arrived in the US in 2001 as a Freightliner. All T1N cargo models were

reassembled from kits at Freightliner's Gaffney, South Carolina Custom Chassis

plant, and all passenger models were imported directly from the Düsseldorf plant.

FedEx was the first US customer, buying the complete 2001 Gaffney production run.

After the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler becoming Daimler-Chrysler, the T1N

began selling under the Dodge nameplate in late 2003. Both Freightliner and Dodge

continued to sell the T1N in the US through the 2006 model year.

Powertrain

Four diesel engines and one petrol engine were available. A 2.3l Turbo Diesel

(TDI), 2.9l Turbo Diesel (TDI), 2.2l Turbo Diesel (CDI), 2.7l Turbo Diesel (CDI) and a

2.3l Petrol. Only the 2.7l CDI was available to the USA.

The abbreviation "OM" stands for "Oil-Motor" and refers to today's diesel engines.

Diesel

Engine

Capacity (l) Cyl-Arrg Power (hp) Torque(ft-lbs)

Used

OM601

2.3

I4

72

96

1995-1999

OM602980

2.9

I5

121

207

1995-1999

OM611

*

2.2

I4

80,107,127

148,199,221 2000-2005

OM612

2.7

I5

154

243

2000-2003

OM647

2.7

I5

154

243

2004-2006

*There are three versions of the

OM611

engine.

Petrol

Engine Capacity (l) Cyl-Arrg Power (hp) Torque(ft-lbs)

Used

M111

2.3

I4

141

159

2000-2005

2004-2006

OM647

's were fitted with turbo resonators that are known to crack on

one end and will cause the vehicle to go into limp mode. The latest version of turbo

resonators have a "Q5" on a small white sticker on the underside that does not have

a problem with cracking.

[1]

.

Transmission

Three transmissions were available; a 5 speed manual, a 6 speed semi-automatic

(

Sprintshift

), and a 5 speed (selectable) automatic (

NAG1

; New Automatic Gearbox

generation 1). The manual transmissions and the

Sprintshift

were not available in

the USA.

Transmission

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Reverse

Used

5 Speed Manual

5.05 2.60 1.52 1.00 0.78

4.76 1995-2005

Sprintshift

Semi-Auto 5.01 2.83 1.78 1.25 1.00 0.79

4.57 2000-2005

NAG1

Automatic 3.59 2.19 1.41 1.00 0.83

3.16 2001-2006

A common characteristic of the

NAG1

automatic transmission is a rumbling or

vibration that occurs during light acceleration and coasting.

Chassis

The front suspension consists of a single transversely mounted composite spring

with shocks mounted near each front wheel. In some cases, the composite spring is

known to sag over time. A steel replacement is available.

The rear suspension consists of two longitudinally mounted leaf springs

underneath each frame rail. Cargo and chassis versions have single leaves while

the passenger versions have dual leaves on each side. The passenger spring leaf

packs consist of a comfort spring and a spring for heavier loads.

Driveshaft u-joints are not serviceable or replaceable

[2]

. The driveshaft assembly

that includes the u-joints must be replaced entirely.

The suspension in 2004-2006 models are raised 30mm from previous year models

to compensate for the move to larger 16 inch rims and tires. The front consist of a

30mm channel spacer

[3]

and the rear contain reshaped leaf spring arches

[4]

.

The bearings and races for the rear axle are reported to be the same as those

used in a late model Dodge Charger and at a much better price.

[5]

Body

Cargo and passenger versions comprise of a unibody steel construction. Chassis

versions come in cab or crew cab versions with frames that extend beyond the back

of the cab. Chassis crew cabs are not available in the USA.

Passenger versions consist of 5 doors; a driver and passenger door, a sliding side

door, and two rear barn type swing out doors. Cargo versions have an option of a

driver's side sliding door. With a driver's side sliding door, a rear auxiliary heater

cannot be ordered.

There are four known types of

OEM Mirrors

that come from the factory. They can

be identified by their support arms; plastic, short metal, long metal, and metal loop

arms.

[6]

The mirrors with plastic arms come standard on most T1N versions except

for the chassis. If parabolic mirrors were ordered as an additional option, it would

default to short metal arms. Most chassis cabs come with the long metal arms,

except when ordered with parabolic mirrors, the short metal arm mirrors were used.

All were electric power and were heated.

There are six fabric designs available for the

interior seats

; Arrow, Cara, Carat,

Catano, Santos, and Venice. The available fabric design will depend on the options

ordered.

History

• 1995 - Sprinter T1N is introduced.
• 2000 - New front clip with half circle cut out of the engine bonnet

encompasses the three pointed star.

• 2002 - Horizontal air vents just above the bonnet were widened.
• 2004 - The 2.7 liter diesel engine receives a new intake manifold.

o

- 2500 models receive 16 inch rims.

- Body height is raised by 30mm.

- Separate compressor for rear air conditioning and rear

evaporator becomes roof mounted.

- ESP become standard.

• 2006 - The T1N continues to be sold in the North America. 3500 chassis

models receive 16 inch rims.

 

 

NCV3 Sprinter 2nd Generation (2006 – present)

 

The Sprinter NCV3 (New Commercial Van 3) is the redesigned replacement for the

Sprinter T1N. The NCV3 appeared in Europe and in other countries in 2006 and

consist of cargo, passenger, and chassis versions. North America received its own

NCV3 for the 2007 model year. The US cargo NCV3s are reassembled from kits in a

new purpose-built Freightliner assembly plant located in Ladson, South Carolina,

and the passenger models are imported directly from Germany. The NVC3 Sprinters

are sold under both the Dodge and Freightliner nameplates.

The NCV3 comes in three wheelbases (128in, 144in, 170in), three roof heights

(standard, high, mega), four lengths, and two weight classes (2500, 3500) where the

3500's have the option of dual rear wheels or rear super singles. Neither the 128in

wheelbase nor the rear super single tires are available in the USA market.

Powertrain

Three engines are available. A 2.2l Turbo Diesel (CDI) , a 3.0l Turbo Diesel (CDI),

and a 3.5l Petrol . The 2.2l CDI comes in four different power and torque levels and

is not available in the USA. All diesels are now fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter

(DPF) that regenerates to burn off the collected soot.

The abbreviation "OM" stands for "Oil-Motor" and refers to today's diesel engines.

Diesel

Engine Capacity(l) Cyl-Arrg

Power (hp)

Torque(ft-lbs)

Used

OM646

*

2.2

I4

87,107,127,148 162,207,225,243 2006-present

OM642

3.0

V6

154

280

2006-present

*There are four versions of the

OM646

.

Petrol

Engine Capacity (l) Cyl-Arrg Power (hp) Torque(ft-lbs)

Used

M272

3.5

V6

254

250

2006-present

Transmission

An available 6 speed manual

NSG370

and the 5 speed (selectable) automatic

NAG1

(New Automatic Gearbox generation 1) continue to be used, however, the

rumbling or vibration that occurred in the T1N while light on the accelerator and

coasting has reportedly been eliminated. Other names for the

NAG1

are W5A380 or

G40.

Transmission 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Reverse

Used

NSG370

Manual 4.46 2.61 1.72 1.25 1.00 0.84

4.06 2006-present

NAG1

Automatic 3.59 2.19 1.41 1.00 0.83

3.16 2006-present

Chassis

The front suspension consists of a single transversely mounted composite spring

with shocks mounted near each front wheel. The rear suspension consists of two

longitudinally mounted leaf springs underneath each frame rail. Cargo and chassis

versions have single leaves while the passenger versions have dual leaves on each

side. The passenger spring leaf packs consist of a comfort spring and a spring for

heavier loads.

Driveshaft u-joints are not serviceable or replaceable

[7]

. The driveshaft assembly

that includes the u-joints must be replaced entirely.

3500's with rear super singles have a spare that is intermediate in size between

the front and rear wheels

[8]

.

Body

Cargo and passenger versions comprise of a unibody steel construction with the

exception of mega roofs which are made out of a fiberglass composite. Chassis

versions come in cab or crew cab versions with frames that extend beyond the back

of the cab. Chassis crew cabs are not available in the USA.

Colors

remain the same

for 2007 and 2008.

Passenger versions consist of 5 doors; a driver and passenger door, a sliding side

door, and two rear barn type swing out doors. Cargo versions have an option of a

driver's side sliding door.

2008 model year NCV3's will have a power sliding door option

[9]

. The two stage

sliding door is now not available.

History

• 2006 - Sprinter NCV3 is introduced.
• 2007 - NCV3 arrives in North America as a Dodge or Freightliner.
• 2008 - New option of power sliding side door is introduced (Not in USA).

o

- Two stage sliding door opening feature deleted (USA).

- Backup camera option not available (USA).

• 2009 - Petrol engine is discontinued (USA).

This information was compiled for you by QualitySprinter.com - 2008

For more information regarding the Dodge Sprinter or to find quality tested parts for your

Sprinter, please visit

www.qualitysprinter.com