He Researched Every Builder. Then He Called Us: Obsidian by Exclusive Outfitters

Some clients come to us with a general idea. A budget. A vibe board. A few questions.

And then there are clients like the one behind Obsidian.

He didn’t show up with a vibe board. He showed up with answers. He’d attended expos, studied builders, asked the hard questions, and taken the time to truly understand what separates a good build from a great one. We first crossed paths at Adventure Van Expo Big Bear in 2024. He wasn’t ready yet — and he knew it. So, he kept researching. He kept waiting. And when the moment finally came, he chose us.

We’ve been building vans for over fifteen years. We never take that kind of trust for granted.

Built. Styled. Dialed.

Meet Obsidian

Obsidian is a fully commissioned, one-of-a kind Sprinter build finished in Matte Metallic Charcoal Grey with matte black accents throughout. No model prefix. No production run. Just one client’s vision — and a team that was honored to bring it to life.

From the Aluminess Recon front bumper to our proprietary EO poptop, every element of this build was chosen deliberately and built to last. This is what happens when a client who knows exactly what he wants meets a team that won’t settle for anything less.

The Exterior

Obsidian announces itself quietly. The Matte Metallic Charcoal Grey wrap absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving the van a presence that’s understated until you’re standing next to it. Matte black accents carry the tone through every detail. Protective coating on the sides and bumper skin means it’s built for the road, not just the showroom.

Underneath, a fully tuned Van Compass 4.3 suspension with Falcon adjustable shocks, custom springs, and self-adjusting front struts transforms both the ride and the capability. Method wheels wrapped in aggressive rubber finish the stance. An Aluminess Recon front bumper with Warn winch sits up front, ready for whatever comes next. AMP electric running boards deploy on entry, and a custom Aluminess roof rack with rear tire carrier and ladder rounds out a rig that’s as purposeful as it looks.

We’re proud of this one. Every time we walk past it in the shop, we stop and look.

The Layout

Obsidian is built around the EO Flex Space — our signature approach to the 144” wheelbase that makes every inch count. The layout flows from a reconfigurable dinette with Lagun table and bench seating for six, through a generous garage and storage area, to a custom aluminum panel bed in the rear. The EO proprietary poptop rises above it all, adding a second sleeping area, meaningful headroom, and the kind of natural light that changes how a van feels from the inside.

Where Obsidian breaks new ground is in the galley configuration. We reworked our large main galley to accommodate a larger refrigerator footprint — borrowing three inches from the flex zone to make it work. The result is a fully capable cooking and refrigeration suite paired with a secondary galley off the slider, featuring a bench seat, dedicated electrical, and an additional refrigerator drawer. Two galleys. Three refrigeration and freezer drawers. When a client knows what he wants in a kitchen, you build him two.

Factory Mercedes-Benz swivel seats up front, dual Lagun tables, and blackout window covers complete an interior that’s as livable as it is capable.

The Systems

Obsidian is built to go — and stay out there. A 630Ah lithium battery bank backed by 400W of solar and a 2000W pure sine inverter keeps everything running. 30A shore power, USB ports throughout, and premium Bluetooth audio mean comfort is never an afterthought. An Espar diesel heater handles cold climates, and a 50 gallon fresh water system with on-demand exterior hot shower extends the range of every trip. A 40-gallon extended fuel capacity means fewer stops on the long ones.

A remote-controlled Nomadic electric awningARB onboard air compressor with dual-connect system, navigation, backup camera, and full LED interior and exterior lighting round out a build that’s been thought through from every angle — because that’s what this client deserved.

Built for Someone Who Did His Homework

Obsidian is proof that the best builds come from the best clients. This one knew what he wanted, understood what it took to build it right, and trusted us with the rest. Getting to work with someone who cares that deeply about the craft — that’s the part of this job we love most.

The result is one of the most complete, capable, and purposeful vans we’ve ever put our name on. Compact enough for daily driving. Capable enough for all-season adventure. Finished at a level few builders can match.

We’re grateful. Full stop.

Watch the Full Walkthrough with John

Want to see Obsidian in motion? John walks you through every detail in our full YouTube walkthrough. 

Your Build Starts Here

If you’ve been doing your research — studying builders, attending expos, asking the hard questions — we’d love to be the last call you make. Every great Exclusive Outfitters build starts with a conversation. Come see us in person or reach out from wherever you are.

📞 Office: 714-524-2224

📱 Cell: 949-212-2792

Financing available — up to 20 years.

Exclusive Outfitters — Built. Styled. Dialed.

From the EO Dispatch — Further Reading:

Obsidian isn’t the only build worth knowing about. If you’re in the research phase — comparing platforms, weighing options, or just wanting to see more of what we do — these are a good place to start.

Recon is the Model B builtall the way out — Matte Military Green, tobacco leather, Fox suspension, CruiseNComfort A/C, and a full suite of off-grid systems on the 144” AWD platform. A study in what happens when capability and livability stop competing with each other.


The case for the 144” — why it parks better, drives better, and with a poptop overhead, lives better than a longer wheelbase ever could. If you’re still weighing your options, this one’s worth your time.


Three builds, one philosophy. The Blackout Edition lineup showed what an all-black treatment looks like across every EO model — same commitment to finish and craft, three completely different rigs.