Sportsmobile Camper Upgrades Done Right: Updating an older van
- Will Hodges
- Dec 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Some vans show up needing a quick tune-up like this Sportsmobile. Its drivability and rideability were rough, full of shortcuts, and already causing headaches for the owner.
From twenty feet away it looked “fine.” Up close, the problems jumped out: missing high-top glass, failed tint, zero rear ventilation, weak suspension, no exterior storage, and DIY patches that don’t belong on a camper someone actually travels in.
Instead of covering bad work with new parts, we approached it the Savage way: repair what was wrong, rebuild what was weak, and upgrade everything that mattered. The goal wasn’t to make it flashy—it was to make this Sportsmobile reliable, comfortable, and road-ready for real adventures, not driveway photos.
Here’s what was wrong, and how we turned this Sportsmobile into something worth taking across the country.
Sportsmobile High-Top Window Repair
The very first issue was impossible to miss. The front high-top window wasn’t broken… it was gone. Someone literally boarded it up, caulked the edges, and painted over it like that was a permanent solution.
That might work on a shed—not a moving vehicle traveling through rain, snow, heat, and highway speeds.
The Savage Fix
✔ Custom-ordered laminated automotive glass
✔ Cut and shaped to the exact size and radius
✔ Properly sealed for long-term insulation and weatherproofing
✔ Finished with a blackout trim ring for a clean, factory look
Now this Sportsmobile has real glass, real structure, and zero risk of leaks or rattling. No shortcuts—just the way it should’ve been built.
Sportsmobile Ceramic Tint Upgrade
Bad tint is obvious: purple, bubbling, peeling, scratchy, useless. This Sportsmobile had exactly that.
We removed every inch of old film and adhesive, then added XPEL ceramic tint—which actually rejects heat instead of just making windows darker.
Installed:
70% ceramic on the windshield (nearly invisible, huge heat reduction)
5% ceramic eyebrow for glare control
20% ceramic throughout the rear for privacy and temperature control
The difference isn’t subtle. The cabin stays cooler, visibility is cleaner, and there are no crusty edges peeling off when the sun hits.
Exterior Detail & Single-Stage Polish
Years of road time and weather had dulled the paint. Nothing major—just oxidation, surface grime, and scratches that made the van look tired.
We did:
✔ Deep clean and decontamination
✔ Single-stage polish to restore clarity and reflection
✔ Full exterior detail for a sharp, clean finish
Not a showroom correction—just honest shine and a van that looks cared for again.
Sportsmobile Pop-Out Rear Windows
This Sportsmobile’s rear windows were fixed glass, which meant zero airflow in the back. In warm weather, that’s miserable. We sourced OEM pop-out windows and swapped them in cleanly. Suddenly the van has cross-ventilation, better temperature control, and less condensation without cutting new holes into the body.
Small change. Huge improvement.
WeldTec Bumpers & Exterior Storage
Sportsmobiles are meant to be used, not babied.
We installed:
WeldTec tube front bumper with hitch receiver
WeldTec rear bumper with dual swing-outs
Spare tire carrier
Aluminess storage box
Now the van can carry a full-size spare, store gear outside, and take a hit without folding like thin-wall plastic. Function and durability—finally.
Aluminess Surf Rack & Driver-Side Ladder
The owner surfs. Boards and wet gear inside the living space? No thanks.
We added:
✔ Surf rack
✔ Driver-side ladder for roof access
✔ Hardware mounted tight so nothing vibrates at highway speed
Now sandy, salty, dripping gear stays outside where it belongs.
Sportsmobile Audio Upgrade
Sportsmobiles are built for travel, but the factory audio usually sounds like a delivery van. Not this one anymore.
We rebuilt the entire sound system:
Musway amplifier for clean power
Rockford Fosgate 12″ slim sub, tucked behind driver seat
Upgraded Alpine mids/highs with their own amp
No rattles. No distortion. Just clean, powerful audio for real road time.
Suspension Upgraded for Real Weight
A built Sportsmobile carries gear—water, cabinets, storage, tools, boards, bikes. Stock suspension can’t handle that load forever. Unlike blocks that just raise the ride height, we upgraded the entre package for a smoother ride and better drivability.
We installed Alcan progressive leaf springs built specifically for this van:
✔ Tuned for the real rear-axle weight
✔ Added ~4″ of lift
✔ Progressive rate prevents harsh bottoming out
✔ Huge improvement in stability and handling
Then we paired it with:
Heavy-duty shackles
Rebuilt front shock kit
Bushwacker fender flares
Powder-coated rock sliders
Powder-coated grille
Now it sits level, drives correctly, and doesn’t drag its bumper across every dip in a gas-station driveway.
Comfort & Usability Upgrades
Not everything needs to be flashy. Some upgrades just make life easier:
✔ Velit heater for cold nights
✔ New shore-power plug
✔ Outdoor shower for beach days, dogs, bikes, and cleanup
✔ Black-housing motion light for stealth and safety
These are the things you don’t appreciate until you really need them.
Final Result
This Sportsmobile didn’t need a full gut job—it needed a professional to undo shortcuts and finish the build properly.
Now it has:
✔ Proper high-top glass
✔ Real ceramic tint
✔ Pop-out rear windows
✔ Steel bumpers and exterior storage
✔ Surf rack + ladder
✔ Full audio upgrade
✔ Suspension tuned to its real weight
✔ Heat, power, and exterior lighting upgrades
✔ Polished, clean exterior
It’s finally road-ready—comfortable, solid, and built to last.
Thinking About Upgrading Your Sportsmobile?
If your Sportsmobile needs some new upgrades, we’ve got you covered:
Sportsmobile suspension upgrades
Steel bumpers & storage
Ceramic tint & window installs
Heaters, power systems, and showers
Audio, lighting, and fabrication
No fluff. No shortcuts. Just solid work that holds up in the real world.
Savage Campervan & RV Built for the road—not the parking lot.
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