Adding a window to your Sprinter van isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating a better living environment.

Installing windows in a van offers natural light and ventilation benefits which can be a crucial aspect of a van project. Proper airflow helps regulate temperature, reduce moisture build-up, and prevent musty odors, making your van a comfortable place to live. Natural lighting from well placed windows can transform the interior of your van from a dark, confined space into a bright, inviting area making the van feel bigger.

My van came to me in the standard cargo van configuration meaning it has no windows rear of the front seats. While this may work well for some build designs, it most definitely does not for mine. I am putting a third passenger seat behind my drivers seat. Placing a window here gives the passenger a window while traveling. This seat will also be convertible into a single bed which can be used for a guest, or as my primary bed if the rear of the van is occupied by gear which could be common depending on the adventure. A window next to the single bed provides cross ventilation opportunities that are paramount to the comfort I intend for this build!

After evaluating several options, I decided to go with the C.R. Laurence, All Glass Look, T-Vent Window. This is an “awning style” venting meaning the glass rotates up and out which I valued because I will be able to have the windows open and vented even when it is raining.

Installing Your C.R. Laurence Window

The thought of cutting into the van is pretty scary. If you have experience in body work then maybe this is no big deal for you, but for the rest of us, taking a saw to the side of an $80k van is pretty unnerving. This is probably the biggest hurdle I will face in my entire build. There will be other cutting adventures along the way such as the Maxx Fan and Flarespace, but this first one will be the toughest and the rest will get easier from here. So this is it, this is the toughest hurdle we will face.

Tools of the Trade for Cutting Your Sprinter Van

Before we start cutting into our Sprinter van, it’s essential to gather the right tools and take safety precautions. Proper preparation ensures a smooth, successful installation.

Tools we will want to have ready are; a drill with various metal bits, a stepper bit, masking tape, a marker, a measuring tape, safety goggles, protective gloves, and a reciprocating saw. I used a jigsaw with metal-cutting blades, but I would recommend a pneumatic body saw which I will be using for future installs that require similar cutting. The pneumatic Body Saws are smaller and much less cumbersome to work with. Additionally, most jigsaws cannot work the curved corners of the body panels well because the support structures are in the way of the jigsaws guide and body which forces you to have to get creative to complete your cuts. The body saw is much better suited for this task and can be picked up pretty cheap.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting Your Sprinter Van

Once we are armed with the right tools and safety gear, it’s time to cut the window panel out of the van.

• Mark - From the inside of the van you can see the panel pretty clearly and conveniently lined by a structural support that basically draws your cut path for you. Thank you Mercedes! There are however two vertical structural supports in the cut path that will be removed with the panel. Using a straight edge, mark a line with your marker across the top and bottom of both structural uprights to keep you straight and on track when cutting.

• Drill - Next, drill some guide holes along the cutting path to get your cutting blade into. As I mentioned earlier, I used a jigsaw for my cut so I drilled guide holes in the corners as well as the mid points of the straight runs of my cuts. This allows some flexibility to reposition the jigsaw during the cuts as it can be a bit cumbersome.

• Cut - Cut the panel out from the inside of the van along the cut path using one of the guide holes as the starting point. I recommend cutting the sides and bottom first as it will be easier to handle when you get to the end of the last cut. If the bottom is the last cut, it will have a tendency to want to fold in or out as you are cutting and could cause damage to portions of the body that are not being removed, or even affect the the final seal of the window. Don’t rush the cuts. Take them nice and easy and let the saw do the work. You may need to change saw blades a few times. Keep an eye on the blade and make sure that its doing the work. Guide the saw slowly and steadily to maintain control and precision and avoid costly mistakes.

• Grind - Once the panel is removed, clean up and debur the cut edges with an angle grinder. Sharp edges or burs could affect the final fitment of the window or even damage the seal.

• Paint - As an added measure, apply some paint to the exposed metal of the cut and deburred surfaces to prevent any chance of corrosion.

Step-by-Step Installation of C.R. Laurence Window

Installing the CR Laurence window requires patience and attention to detail.

• Test Fit - Start by placing the window into the cut-out to check the fit. If adjustments are required, make them before proceeding. Typically if the window doesn’t fit cleanly it will be from one of the corner cuts. Check those closely to determine where the problem lies. If modification is required, make sure to repeat the paint step to protect the metal.

• Placement - Place the window in the cutout and adjust until properly aligned. Have one person hold the window in place from the outside.

• Clamp - While one person is holding the window in proper alignment from the outside, place and align the clamping ring from the inside. Install all the screws in the clamping ring but do not tighten. Get all the screws in place and reinsure proper alignment. The window will be sticking out from the van at this point, but that is ok and normal.

• Tighten - Secure the window with the screws, tightening them evenly to avoid warping the frame. Tighten the screws a little at a time working your way around the ring. Be patient. As the screws get tighter the clamping ring will pull the window into the frame and compress the seal. If you go to much or to fast you can strip out the screws. Double-check the seal to ensure no gaps are present, as these could lead to leaks.

• Final Test - After the window is installed, run water on it from the outside with a garden hose to check for leaks. Everything should be good to go. If you have a leak, loosen the clamping ring and readjust the placement of the window. If you cannot get it sealed well, or have a problem area, you may consider applying a bead of marine sealant to the problem area and re-clamping the window.

I admit its a bit of a scary undertaking at first, but if you take your time, and follow these steps and tips, you should be able tackle this DIY project with confidence. When its finished you will be very happy that you took the challenge. The added light and ventilation can transform your van into a more comfortable, enjoyable space. The experience from this project is also a great foundation that sets you up for more future van projects in your build such as installing a Maxx Fan or even cutting out the rear panels and installing FlareSpace.