2004 Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 – “Lazu the Blue” :: Featured Classified

The Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 has become one of the most popular overland platforms and has a devoted following worldwide. It’s a van synonymous with class-leading reliability and build quality, legendary commercial attributes, backcountry capability, and huge aftermarket and community support. For many, the older T1N remains best of the breed, since it provided the basic comforts and drivability we need for modern life, was simple to maintain/fix (and, crucially, field-repairable), and infinitely customizable. Cue today’s 2004 Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 (140,000 miles on the body/183,000 miles on the engine replacement), which is underpinned by a Nissan Patrol 4WD conversion and has been overhauled for remote exploration. This one-of-one vehicle was built by seasoned overlanders Amy and James of Lazu the Blue and was intended to be an uncompromising around-the-world expedition vehicle. “Lazu” has already driven from London to Cape Town and is now turnkey available for its next adventure. Needless to say, this is not your average Sprinter; with more than £150,000 (~$203,000) invested to create a rig that sits between a 4WD Sprinter and a Unimog. You enjoy the drivability, running costs, parts availability, and modest footprint of the Sprinter, while gaining the hardcore capability and generous interior amenities/comforts of a fully-fledged expedition truck. The finished product (completed in 2022) boasts a Nissan Patrol 4WD conversion, 1,000+ miles of range, 300 liters of freshwater, a 600-amp-hour Victron lithium battery bank, a premium four-season ready interior, and so much more. Additionally, the vehicle has recently undergone a paint refresh and chassis rustproofing, will come with a fresh MOT upon purchase, and will be sold with extensive spare parts. At £75,000, this rig represents impressive value and is a fraction of what it would cost to recreate, and is available now with no lead time.

From the Seller:

“Meet Lazu the Blue—the legendary all-terrain rig that has traversed the length of Africa and is ready for its next chapter. It’s a one-of-a-kind, professionally engineered 4WD expedition rig, built from an ex-police Mercedes Sprinter 416 CDI riot-control vehicle, with an extended Nissan Patrol chassis, drivetrain, and 4WD running gear. Lazu combines Mercedes diesel power with serious Nissan Patrol off-road capability. The build was completed in 2022 and has been extensively tested and refined through real-world overlanding. Combine the ultimate off-road and off-grid capability with home comforts like long hot showers, cold drinks with ice, and a good night’s sleep in a king-sized bed; it’s 3.5 tons, so no HGV license required. Thanks to the smaller footprint, Lazu could go down the same narrow tracks that our Land Rover friends could in Africa, while the expedition trucks stayed behind. The same Land Rover owners huddled in Lazu when it rained. It’s the 4WD capability of a Rover with Unimog-size living spec. Building a vehicle of this specification from scratch would take significant time, specialist engineering, and a substantial budget—followed by the inevitable process of testing, breaking, and refining. Lazu has already done all of the above.”

2004 Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 T1N

The Sprinter is fitted with a 2.7-liter 416 CDI turbo-diesel motor that, in stock configuration, produces 156 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque (this example has been tuned to 200 horsepower). A long-lived engine is matched with impressive range courtesy of a 316-liter total fuel capacity that delivers 1,000+ miles of range. Capability is provided by Nissan Patrol underpinnings, which includes a reinforced chassis, 4WD, high and low range, manual locking front hubs, a lifted and uprated suspension, armor, and a winch. These rugged attributes are balanced with driver comforts that include:

Power steering
Air-conditioning
Cruise control
USB and 12-volt outlets
Heated driver’s swivel seat and double passenger seats (5 total belted seats with 2 in the rear)
Cupholders
GPS speedometer, immobilizer, and global tracker system
Battery voltage and monitoring system

Distinguishing Features

Key interior features include custom airliner-style storage cabinetry from My Tour Rig, aluminum sleeping pods, premium lockable sliding rear windows, roof access via marine-style lockable hatch, reinforced Perspex windows, and king-sized bed with custom removable heavy-duty metal bed frame and premium mattress
Steel wheels with Mudtrax tires (6)
Coil suspension for improved ride and articulation with Old Man Emu shock absorbers (front reinforced and dual rear shocks), heavy-duty front anti-roll bar arms, and Nissan Patrol steering dampers and bars
Victron house power with a 600-amp-hour lithium battery system, SmarSolar MPPT, Orion DC-DC charger, fuse control panel, and 350 watts of solar
Freshwater (100 liters internal/200 liters external)
Truma diesel heater
Bathroom with hot water shower (also exterior shower) and Simploo composting toilet
Air compressor
Kitchen with Thetford T2175 compressor fridge/freezer and 2-burner gas hob
Custom bumpers, steel rock sliders, and twin rear swing arm carriers (one for spare wheel, another for motorcycle/bicycle)
Heavy-duty expedition roof rack with viewing platform and lightweight awning
Samurai winch with nylon cord (17,500 pounds)
Full Bluetooth music system
LED auxiliary lighting with in-cab control panel
Line-X protective exterior coating

This 2004 Mercedes Sprinter 4×4 is listed for $75,000 OBO and is currently located in Ascot, Berkshire, United Kingdom. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.