The 3 Best Options for a Lifted Sprinter Van

One of the biggest limitations of the Sprinter van is its clearance. For Sprinters that have been turned into adventure vans, this is a big problem, as it limits the number of places you can go. The best campsites are often way off the beaten path, requiring a bit of off-roading to get to. Bottoming out can make this type of trip impossible.

Lifted Sprinter vans are a popular choice for individuals who need more capability from their vehicle. There are a couple of methods that you can take to achieve a lift, but which one is best? Below, we’ll discuss the three main options you have for lifting your van, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of doing so.

Can You Lift a Sprinter van?

Yes, you can absolutely lift a Sprinter van. In fact, it’s recommended if you’re planning on doing any type of off-road driving, and it’s one of the top suspension upgrades people make. While Sprinters have no problem on city streets, they start to struggle when they go off the highway. 

You don’t have to have serious off-roading adventures planned to need a Sprinter van suspension lift, either. Lifts can help in deep snow or when boondocking on National Forest and BLM land. You’ll often encounter rutted-out roads and ditches that need a bit of extra clearance to drive over smoothly.

What are the Benefits of a Lifted Sprinter Van?

Increased clearance is the most obvious benefit of lifting your van, so we won’t cover that here. You already understand how more room under the chassis can lead to more exploration. Instead of clearance, here are some of the other benefits that you might not have thought about.

Room for Larger Tires

One of the main reasons why people decide to lift their vans is not for clearance; it’s to be able to install bigger tires. A Mercedes Sprinter van lift kit raises the suspension components and body of the van, allowing you to install bigger tires without worrying about rubbing occurring. You may still need to do some fender trimming, but a lift kit is a great place to start when sizing up.

When selecting new tires, it’s important to compare lift kit and wheel compatibility. Most kits will say what the largest size tire you can install is.

Less Sagging Under Load

Lift kits often come with full suspension upgrades. When installed on a built-out van, this can improve the ride height under load. If you’ve noticed that your van sags in the rear because of too much weight, an upgraded suspension system and lift kit can help eliminate the problem.

Improved Approach and Departure Angles

When off-roading, approach and departure angles can be very frustrating to deal with. Front and rear bumpers can get caught up on obstacles, damaging your vehicle and slowing down your adventure. Adding a lift kit, even a few inches, can give you just enough extra room around the corners of your vehicle to get over obstacles.

Aesthetics

There’s no doubt that a lifted Sprinter simply looks better, especially when it’s being used as an adventure van. Lift kits make your van look more aggressive and capable, transforming the stock look. If you care about how your vehicle looks, you can consider a lift for this reason alone.

What You Can Lose From Lifting Your Van

As great as a lift kit can be for off-road capability, there are some drawbacks that you should consider before upgrading. Lifts aren’t always necessary and in some cases can harm your vehicle’s performance. The major disadvantages include:

• Higher Center of Gravity: Your van is already a naturally high ride and a lift kit can exacerbate this further. Too much of a lift can make your van top-heavy and likely to experience body roll when going around turns. Your van will be much more sensitive to side winds, and you’ll have to get used to being more cautious going around sharp bends.

• Uncomfortable Highway Driving: Lift kits are meant for off-pavement use and they often have stiffer suspension. When driving on normal roads, your van may not be as comfortable as it used to be. You’ll feel bumps and potholes more.

• Less MPG: A lifted ride will make your van less aerodynamic and running bigger tires can reduce your fuel efficiency.

• Suspension Strain: Your van isn’t specifically engineered to be lifted, so doing so may cause excessive wear on other suspension components. Be prepared for more repairs and maintenance.

Option #1: A Full Sprinter Van Lift Kit

If you’re committed to lifting your van and want to enjoy all of the benefits that come with it, a full Sprinter van lift kit is the best way to go. These kits come with everything you need, including extended shocks, spacers, upgraded springs, and hardware. A full lift kit is the only true way to raise the height of your van. While minor enhancements can be achieved with the other two options, a kit provides the biggest lift.

In general, you’ll want to stick with a 2” lift to achieve maximum benefit with minimal harm. Going higher can cause serious strain on your suspension geometry. At Owl, we offer a variety of different full lift kit options for various Sprinter models. Whether you have a 2500, 3500, AWD, or 4x4 van, we’ve got you covered.

Option #2: Upgraded Suspension Components

An alternative to a complete lift kit is just some suspension upgrades. While this will not provide as large a lift as a full kit, it does provide a little bit of extra clearance.

The most cost-effective alternative lift is upgrading the rear leaf springs with an add-a-leaf. By expanding the leaf pack, you’ll slightly raise the ride height of your vehicle.

Option #3: Bigger Wheels and Tires 

The easiest and most affordable way to raise the height of your van is by installing bigger wheels. Like a suspension upgrade, this won’t dramatically lift your vehicle, but it can help subtly.  

For example, if you had a stock Sprinter tire and wheel setup (245/75R16 on a 16” wheel) and upgraded it to a 265/70R17 on a 17” wheel, you would receive a lift of just over a half inch.

Maintaining Your Sprinter After a Lift

If you decide to lift your van with a full suspension lift kit, there are some maintenance tasks that you need to know about. Skipping these can cause damage to your vehicle.

• Alignment: You have to get a professional alignment after installing a lift kit. While an installer can get pretty close to the correct geometry, you need a computerized alignment machine to make it perfect. 

• Torque Checks: If you’re installing a lift kit yourself, make sure that you check all bolts after installation, preferably after driving around 100 miles. Make sure you continue to check them and retorque as necessary.

• Tire Wear: Suspension lift kits can sometimes cause weird wear on your tires, especially if you skipped a professional alignment. Inspect your tread regularly to make sure that you don’t miss any abnormal wear that could eventually lead to a blowout.

Improve Your Clearance With Help from Owl Today

A lifted Sprinter van turns heads everywhere it goes, and by upgrading with a full lift kit, you’ll enjoy drastically improved off-road performance. With a variety of options to choose from, you can equip your van with the right size lift for your needs.

Owl intricately understands the suspension systems of Sprinter vans and our custom lift kits are the best on the market. Whether you’d like to upgrade with a full lift kit, a suspension upgrade, or just bigger tires, we’re confident that you’ll be impressed by our suspension products. Browse our complete collection today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a lift kit for Sprinter vans cost?

A full lift kit can cost anywhere from $5,700 to $7,000. Suspension-only upgrades can cost a few thousand dollars. Larger tires are the cheapest option to slightly raise your vehicle.

Can you lift a 2WD Sprinter van?

While you can lift a 2WD adventure van, it’s not typically practical because of the off-road limitations of 2WD. At Owl, our lift kits are designed for 4x4 and AWD Sprinters.

How much lift can a Sprinter handle safely?

A 2” lift is ideal for a Sprinter, as it balances clearance with suspension safety. Larger aftermarket lifts can be done, but they have risks.