Mercedes Sprinter Accessories and Upgrades: What to Add First.
Sprinter accessories and upgrades in the order that makes sense: decode your generation and drivetrain, add armor and a cat guard, then plan suspension and tires around loaded weight.
Start with protection: a cat guard on any Sprinter, skid plates on a 4x4 or AWD van that leaves pavement. 2019-2022 4x4 and 2023+ AWD vans need different plates. Weigh the van loaded before choosing springs and tires, then add lighting and racks last.
On a Sprinter, start with protection: a catalytic converter guard on any van, and skid plates on a 4x4 or AWD van that leaves pavement. Suspension and tires come next, picked together for the van's loaded weight. Lighting and racks come last.
Jump to: Know your Sprinter · Skid plates · Cat guard · Weight · Suspension and tires · Lighting and racks · Table · FAQ
Know your Sprinter before you buy
Sprinter parts are rarely universal. The year and the drivetrain decide most fitment questions, so write them down first.
- 2007-2018 (NCV3). The previous generation.
- 2019-2022 (VS30) 4x4. The current body arrived in the US for 2019. The 4x4 version used a part-time system with a rear-biased torque split, and low range was an option.
- 2023 and newer (VS30) AWD. Mercedes replaced the 4x4 with a full-time all-wheel-drive system and moved the lineup to a 2.0L four-cylinder diesel.
Because the 4x4 and the AWD use different drive systems underneath, our skid plates are split at 2022/2023.
| What to check | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | Registration or door-jamb label | Generation and mounting points change by year |
| Drivetrain (RWD, 4x4, AWD) | Window sticker or VIN decode | Transfer case plates only fit vans that have one |
| Wheelbase and driveshaft | Window sticker; look under the van | Our cat guard does not fit 170" wheelbase 3500-and-up vans with a 3-piece driveshaft |
| Engine | Window sticker | Affects oil pan and exhaust routing |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | Door-jamb label | Sets the floor for tire load range and spring rate |
Sprinter skid plates
A loaded Sprinter is long and heavy, and on washboard roads, forest service roads and steep driveways the oil pan, transmission and transfer case are what touch first. A skid plate bolts under those parts and takes the strike.
- 2019-2022 Sprinter 4x4 Engine & Transmission Skid Plate (oil pan, alternator, front subframe)
- 2019-2022 Sprinter 4x4 Transfer Case Skid Plate (1500/2500/3500 with the factory 4x4 system)
- 2019-2022 Sprinter 4x4 Rear Shock Skid Plates
- 2023-2027 Sprinter AWD Full Skid Plate Package, also sold as the engine plate and the transfer case & transmission plate
These plates are for 4x4 and AWD vans. The 2023-2027 AWD plates have an oil change cutout, so the oil can be changed without removing them. For a plate-by-plate breakdown, see our Sprinter skid plate guide.
Each plate is cut from 1/4" 5052-H32 aluminum on a CNC plasma table, formed on a press brake, MIG welded where a weld is needed, and powder coated in our Wheat Ridge, Colorado shop. Every plate carries our Limited Lifetime Manufacturer's Warranty.
Catalytic converter guard
The Sprinter's converter hangs low and exposed, which makes it a quick target for thieves. Our 2010-2027 Sprinter Catalytic Converter Guard & Shield boxes the converter in from the front, back and sides and installs with security-head bolts. It fits 2010-2027 Sprinter 1500, 2500 and 3500 vans in both 2WD and 4WD, except 170" wheelbase 3500-and-up vans with a 3-piece driveshaft. It is the one piece of Sprinter armor that makes sense on a van that never leaves pavement. More on the problem in our Sprinter cat guard article.
Plan around the loaded weight
Most Sprinter upgrade mistakes come from planning for an empty van. A camper build with water, batteries and gear adds a lot, and every exterior accessory adds more. Weigh the van fully loaded at a truck scale, front and rear axle separately, and use those numbers for every choice that follows:
- Springs and shocks rated for the loaded axle weights, not the empty van.
- Tire load range with margin over the heaviest axle. Size comes after that.
- Heavy items low and between the axles where possible. A roof full of water and spares raises the center of gravity.
- Armor weight. Aluminum protects the same parts as steel for less weight, which matters on a van already near its rating.
The same rule applies to a Ford Transit build, where we cover the order to do the work in.
Suspension, lift and tires
Stock Sprinter suspension is set up for delivery work. With a build-out on board, many owners upgrade shocks and springs, and some add a lift for clearance and larger all-terrain tires. A lift raises the center of gravity, so choose a kit made for the van's loaded weight. Larger tires can also throw off the speedometer.
Check armor against the lift before ordering. Our 2019-2022 transfer case plate does not fit vans with a 4" or larger lift, because aftermarket drop brackets and crossmembers take the factory mounting points.
Our shop installs Sprinter suspension and sources the parts; see Sprinter suspension upgrades and our overview of Sprinter suspension options.
Lighting and racks
Auxiliary lights and rear work lights help at camp and on dark roads; check local laws for forward-facing lights and wire them through a relay and fuse. Here is a Sprinter front and rear light install from our shop.
Roof racks, rear ladders and spare tire carriers free up interior space. We do not build van tire racks in-house; our shop sources and installs a rack and ladder setup that fits your van. See roof rack installation.
Sprinter upgrades at a glance
| Upgrade | What it does | Who it suits | From Juggernaut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skid plates | Protect engine, transmission, transfer case | 4x4/AWD vans on dirt or gravel | Made in-house (2019-2022 4x4, 2023-2027 AWD) |
| Cat guard | Deters converter theft | Any van parked in public | Made in-house (2010-2027) |
| Suspension / lift | Clearance, load handling | Heavy builds, rough roads | Installed by our shop |
| All-terrain tires | Traction, puncture resistance | Most adventure vans | Installed by our shop |
| Lighting | Visibility at camp and on trail | Night driving, camping | Installed by our shop |
| Racks / tire carrier | Exterior storage | Full-time travelers | Sourced and installed by our shop |
FAQ
Do your skid plates fit the 2007-2018 (NCV3) Sprinter?
No. Our Sprinter skid plates are for 2019-2022 4x4 and 2023-2027 AWD vans. The cat guard does fit 2010-2018 vans.
Will the 2019-2022 plates fit a 2023 AWD van?
No. The AWD van has a different drive system underneath and its own plates.
Does the cat guard fit a 2WD Sprinter?
Yes, 2WD and 4WD 1500, 2500 and 3500 vans from 2010-2027, except 170" wheelbase 3500-and-up vans with a 3-piece driveshaft.
Can I install the plates myself?
Yes. They bolt to factory mounting points with the supplied hardware. A lift or jack stands and a helper make it easier.
Can your shop do the whole build?
Our Wheat Ridge shop installs armor, suspension, tires, lighting and racks. Call with your year, drivetrain and loaded weight and we will plan it with you.
Sprinter armor in this guide
Shop your plates below, or email sales@juggernautusa.com with your year and trim and we’ll spec it.
Check generation and drivetrain. Our Sprinter skid plates fit 2019–2022 4x4 vans. The cat guard covers a wider range. Confirm on the product page.
Skid plates and a cat guard in 1/4 inch 5052-H32 aluminum, built in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
