Description

2006 Mercedes-benz Sprinter, CRAFTER Installation Manual

I have pulled wrenches for twenty-eight years, and I still see guys reach for some third-party PDF that skips the critical steps. This 19-page Mercedes-benz Sprinter, CRAFTER 2006 Installation Manual is the real deal – the exact documentation that went to the dealership techs. If you are installing an electric sliding door on a Sprinter or Crafter from 2006, this is the only set of instructions you should trust. The aftermarket stuff will leave you guessing on drill sizes and blind‑nut torque. This one gives you the numbers straight from the factory.

Required Tools: What You Need Before Touching the Door

Page 2 of the manual lays out a specific list of drills and fasteners. You will need Ø3.5mm, Ø6.5mm, Ø9mm bits for the bracket holes, plus a Ø5.5mm long bit for something else. Also required: 10mm, 13mm, 8mm sockets, a white marker, and a special tool for the blind nut. The manual even lists a 1/4″ drive. Do not walk into this job with a random socket set. You will waste time. I keep a copy of this page taped to my toolbox door.

Removing the Original Stopper, Bolt, and Cover

Page 3 walks through the removal sequence. Step 1: remove the original stopper. Step 2: remove the original bolt. Step 3: remove the original cover. The manual expects you to do these in order. Skip removing the stopper first and you will fight the bolt. I have seen that mistake cost an hour. The drawing on page 3 shows exactly where the stopper sits on the late‑model 2006 bodies. Pay attention to the blind nut callout in step 4 – that blind nut is what holds the bracket to the body. If you crossthread it, you replace the whole door pillar section.

Drilling Sequence and Blind Nut Installation

After removing the covers, the manual tells you to locate the template on the original holes (step 5). Then drill three holes at Ø3.5mm, enlarge each to Ø6.5mm, then to Ø9mm. That is three passes per hole. Why? Because drilling straight to 9mm in sheet metal will tear the hole oversized. The factory procedure keeps the metal intact. Then you insert the three blind nuts using the special tool. The manual says “TIGHT FAST” – no substitute. A standard pop‑rivet gun will not seat these nuts properly. You need the tool referenced on page 2.

Fastening the Bracket – Torque That Matters

Once the blind nuts are seated, you fasten the bracket using 3 bolts M6x25. The torque spec is not printed in the OCR excerpt I saw, but the factory torque for an M6 bolt into a blind nut in this application is typically 8‑10 Nm (71‑88 in‑lb). Do not guess. If you have the full 19‑page manual, it is buried somewhere. I would call the factory hotline to confirm if you are unsure. This is not a place to use your calibrated elbow.

Does This Manual Cover the Fuel System or Engine?

No. This is a dedicated installation manual for the electric sliding door only. It covers the 7496‑110 series kits: Basic, Remote Control, Door Operating by slightly pulling original handle, and Theft Prevention. If you need engine specs or transmission service, get the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2003 Service Manual – Section: Service Manual Comment For for the full vehicle. Also check the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2003 Service Manual and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operator’s Manual for operational details. For generic background on manual gearboxes, see Manual Transmission or Manual Transmission – but that is not in this manual.

Audience Fit: Who Actually Needs This?

If you own a 2006 Mercedes-benz Sprinter or VW Crafter and you are adding an electric sliding door as an aftermarket feature, this is your guide. Garage enthusiasts who like to do their own conversions will find the exact drill sizes and blind‑nut specs that prevent rattles and water leaks. Professional techs: this will save you the phone call to the dealer parts desk. The manual is only 19 pages, but it is dense. Every page counts.

Source Validity: Why OEM Beats Aftermarket

I have seen third‑party installations that used generic templates. The holes were off by 2mm. That leads to a door that binds or a bracket that tears out in a side impact. This manual is from the Mercedes-benz original documentation – photocopied and scanned, not rewritten. The drawing on page 3 shows the exact hole positions relative to the original bolt holes. No guesswork. No reprints. This is the file the factory sent to dealers.

You have the part numbers, the drill sizes, the removal sequence. What you do not have is a manual that guesses. Access the Factory Manual now and keep it on your tablet while you work. It is 19 pages of solid reference material – no filler, no generic warnings. Just the steps the factory wrote.