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