Forums » The Swag Bag » Our New RALIVAN 1 2 3

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  Nov. 4, 2011 12:47 p.m. teamilluminata New Reader

  Hi, Thought you might like to see our new tow and delivery vehicle.

  

  We only recently got it and plan to use it to tow our race cars to events and move tires and wheels around for our parts business. First thing we did was throw some of our wheels on it.

  

  They are 15x7 BRAID Winrace Acropolis rally wheels and are super-strong. We mounted some Yokohama A/T tires in 235/75-15 and are rather pleased with the result. We also mounted up a pair of PIAA driving lights as no self-respecting RALIVAN would be seen dead without some extra lighting.

  

  and of course lots of stickers:

  

  This is one of the cars it will be towing:

  

  Of course we plan a few more modofications but nothing too radical. Just a bit of RALLY-BLING. Mud flaps are a must and we might add a couple more lights to the front. We ordered a Mercedes grill too as the Dodge one is falling off. We are also planning on replacing the dampers with Bilsteins or KONIs and maybe a K&N air filter as well as more stickers.

  Although only a 2005 it already has 250,000 miles on it so we won't be flogging it very hard even though it runs great. Already suffering from Sprinter cancer but only surface stuff, mostly around the windshield and right in the middle of some of the body panels. Have to take care of that soon. It needs a windshield anyway so popping this one out and painting the surround will have to be coordinated.

  I love driving this thing and am looking forward to many happy miles, some more mods and conversing with fellow Sprinter owners on this forum. BTW you can see bigger versions of the pictures here: Team Illuminata

  If you have any suggestions or questions let me know. :)

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  Nov. 4, 2011 12:48 p.m. teamilluminata New Reader

  Now the van is officially the Michigan RALIVAN

  

  Also got a Mercedes grill today:

  

  Had to peel off the hood mounted chrome strip after bolting it in place. Left a terrible mess of goop that took half a can of Goop Off and a gallon of elbow gease to remove.

  

  but worth it

  

  OK, needs a chrome Mercedes star and apparantly theres a trim that goes round it too.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 12:52 p.m. MG_Bryan Reader

  How much can it tow?

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  Nov. 4, 2011 1:15 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

  Cool. I've seen a few M-B conversions. I didn't know they covered the cut-out for the M-B badge with a chrome strip.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 1:20 p.m. N Sperlo SuperDork

  Needs a roof mount light bar and amber strobes.

  - N. Sperlo -:-:- "Never take life seriously. No one ever gets out alive anyway." ~ ~ A strong tail wind can't hurt either...~~ K0HOF

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  Nov. 4, 2011 1:22 p.m. cwh SuperDork

  Should have gotten the Freightliner tags to go on it.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 1:50 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

  250,000 miles? Good, your past the initial break-in period and can start opening her up a bit.

  "Don't Sweat the Petty Things." Yes, and Don't Pet the Sweaty Things.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 2:10 p.m. jimbob_racing Dork

  Get rid of the MB logo on the grille with another driving light.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 2:16 p.m. Cole_Trickle Reader

  Looks pretty cool!

  Hit the Pace Car!

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  Nov. 4, 2011 2:17 p.m. ValuePack Dork

  Hot damn, I love those! Looks miles better with the Merc grill and Braids. It's almost too nice to tow with!

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  Nov. 4, 2011 2:49 p.m. driver109x HalfDork

  Bigger mud flaps and more lights pls.... awesome van!

  Those who say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" just don't get it.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 2:55 p.m. pigeon Dork

  jimbob_racing wrote: Get rid of the MB logo on the grille with an airplane landing light.

  FTFY

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  Nov. 4, 2011 3:13 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

  I like it a lot. Where does one even GET braids in the US? their website wasn't terribly helpful.

  Go fast or go broke.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 4:17 p.m. TRoglodyte HalfDork

  A GRM sticker would increase the horsepower and torque by 20%, lower the drag coefficient by 10% and redline the awesome meter.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 4:17 p.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

  mndsm wrote: I like it a lot. Where does one even GET braids in the US? their website wasn't terribly helpful.

  Probably from this little place called Team Illuminata Motorsports.

  There are those that call me....TIM?

  

  XBL GamerTag: bcbrownell Racing is the process of turning money into noise.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 4:26 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

  Derp, I can read "parts business" was in there.

  Go fast or go broke.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 4:39 p.m. RexSeven SuperDork

  DADJIBAAANNN... I mean, RARIBAAAANNNN!!!

  My forged wheels reduce unsprung weight/I don't know what's heavier, your rims or your date

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  Nov. 4, 2011 5:16 p.m. corytate HalfDork

  Maroon92 wrote:

  mndsm wrote: I like it a lot. Where does one even GET braids in the US? their website wasn't terribly helpful.

  Probably from this little place called Team Illuminata Motorsports.

  There are those that call me....TIM?

  

  =]
  ya beat me to it.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 5:23 p.m. Woody SuperDork

  I love the van.

  I've wanted one of those since they came out. I made the mistake of going to Dodge's website and "building my own". I made the mistake of spec'ing one with a long wheelbase and high roof and the price scared me away for a few years. Low roof and short wheelbase is what I crave now.

  What's a good used one go for these days?

  Porsche. Everyday.

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  Nov. 4, 2011 8:15 p.m. SnowMongoose New Reader

  I want to be more like you when I grow up.

  (lets see, 28 now, should be grown up in another ten years)

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  Nov. 4, 2011 9:06 p.m. SyntheticBlinkerFluid Dork

  Did you have to cut the hood for the Mercedes Emblem to fit? Or is that hidden underneath the chrome trim?

  '95 Jeep Cherokee / '80 Mazda Rx-7 / '68 Corvair Monza Coupe

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  Nov. 4, 2011 10:41 p.m. Vigo Dork

  I love me some Sprinter! Make sure to post driving impressions along with empty and towing mpg...

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  Nov. 5, 2011 7:06 a.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

  SnowMongoose wrote: I want to be more like you when I grow up. (lets see, 28 now, should be grown up in another ten years)

  Everyone should endeavor to be more like Pauly. That guy is just plain living the life.

  XBL GamerTag: bcbrownell Racing is the process of turning money into noise.

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  Nov. 5, 2011 8:42 a.m. Twin_Cam SuperDork

  Nice. Just watch out- the Sprinter that my place of employment owns likes to grab onto it's glow plugs and never let go- resulting in the need for a new cylinder head. But that could be because it's the most abused vehicle in all of human history, and that's it's only problem. The damn thing refuses to die. And yes, it's starting to rust, too.

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  Nov. 5, 2011 9:13 a.m. lee21don New Reader

  I've wanted one of those since they came out. I made the mistake of going to Dodge's website and "building my own". I made the mistake of spec'ing one with a long wheelbase and high roof and the price scared me away for a few years. Low roof and short wheelbase is what I crave now.

  Audi Grilles

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