Build of the Month: Van Compass Sprinter

Truck zealots look away, it's time to celebrate vans. For May 2023, we're highlighting another Idaho company, Van Compass, and their 4x4 Sprinter 2500 build. If you've got a Sprinter or Transit van, you're probably already familiar with them. Van Compass manufactures a huge array of suspension and other hard-part upgrades for vans that see demanding real-world use. This 4x4 van has been enhanced with Van Compass parts for improved handling, stability and capability. It's also sitting on 35" tires...you don't see that every day!

Closeup of the Van Compass Sprinter's front bumper

So, does your rig have a nickname?
Bougie Burgundy

rear view of the Van Compass Sprinter van

Do you use your vehicle for work, play, or both? Who drives this van?
Commuting, work, play, product development...it’s the village bicycle. Most of the senior staff gets some seat time in it to get opinions on ride quality and handling. It is one of our main marketing vans currently, so it’s designated as the "trade show" van, as well as all the R&D duties it also does.

accessories including winch, solar panels, and aux lighting on the front of the van

What kinds of fun stuff do you get up to with your vehicle?
Camping and trade shows, family hauling, exploring. We’ve tested our full catalog on it.

profile shot of van's front end How do you handle research & development and product testing?

As vehicles change periodically with mid-cycle updates, we have to keep new vans coming through to confirm changes and fitment. We also use product from some of our partners like Decked, Owl Vans, Milestar, Overland Van Project etc. Vans are a great blank canvas to start from, so we focus on our product line and work with our partners for the other solutions we need but don’t make.

What’s your approach to cargo management?
STOWED AND SECURED

interior of the Van Compass Sprinter van

Has DECKED changed the way you use your vehicle?
Absolutely. We can stow most of a trade show booth inside it, as well as lots of tools and travel/camp essentials easily. Keeping it organized, secured and out of sight is the best. I didn’t even un-pack most of the trade show booth materials last summer and just kept it in the van ready to go.

DECKED Drawer System installed in the Van Compass Sprinter van

How has DECKED improved your adventures?
DECKED has added a ton of storage and versatility to the cargo hold of the van with a minimal amount of work. It probably took me longer to unpack everything than it did to assemble it. The quality and function is top-notch, the marketing literature is on-point. The nut bar really helped get me through the project too. We’ve absolutely hammered on this van over the last year and the DECKED hasn’t budged, and everything inside it ends up exactly how you left it.