hey guys,am david from kenya,i have 2 sprinter vans that i use as mobile workshops,i do trucks repairs and maintenance,this guy is right on point,those spring packs are serious suckers,they make serious squeeks,original main springs are parabolic,for me i added 3 more springs,built two clams down then put rubber spacers between the each leaf,the ride is very comfortable no squeeks,no failed brake lines nothing,mine isn't a 4x4 and i have gone to places where non 4x4 woudnt dare,upto the depths of massai mara national park.nor to forget,our kenyan roads are horrible
Here’s my personal experience. My expedition weight drive axle of 144 is 5,440lb. That’s with the full water tank, full aux fuel tank and my Owl large box filled with instruments. So when I was upgrading the suspension I went for the Agile 5,400lb spring pack. And I can tell you, when I’m riding this heavy on the forest roads it drives perfect. The problem is, I’m not always riding heavy. Like when we do winter camping at the ski resorts, our water tank is empty, we don’t carry much fuel in the aux tank and the rear box is empty too. The only extra weight is couple of pairs of skis. And the van does become stiff at the rear. The falcon shocks set to soft setting help a little bit with a rebound, but it’s still a non-optimal setup. Besides that the AO leaf pack squeals like a dying pig all the time and it’s apparently a common issue for these packs. So no, I do not recommend a dedicated pack.
Totally agree if you order the wrong custom pack it’s going to be to stiff. The VC should work for most people. But if you take the time to have a custom pac built for you final build weight you should be in the sweet spot. Buy a rear set up designed for 10,000 lbs and you van weighs 7,000 lbs it’s going to ride like crap. I made the same mistake on my first long travel truck.
Hence why my custom build 170 4x4 is rocking the VC 4.3 upgrade. It's absolutely perfect! I kept my build on the lighter side purposefully and I'm rolling at 7850 loaded with water & toys.
Supersprings add a leaf self adjusting based on load. Part SSA 55. But not the Sumo Spring company said they are not good for off road applications. A nice compliment to the van compass system.
Good points. I have noticed in close up pics of the VC rear mini leaf spring pack that there is a large rubber spacer. The AO rear leaf springs for RIP don't since the number of leaves are more. How does this play into the suspension behavior? I don't have much experience with leaf springs.
Yes, got that 'lecture' from Alex last month when he was looking over our install by others...luckily mine cleared. But in looking at it, it looks like if we decide to install the Baja brackets they might also cause a conflict since it would push the shock towards the tire 2 inches or so. Have you found that to be an issue?
Quick question and I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask or not? I've got a 2023 Terrain built on a 2022 MB 4WD chassis. The suspension that is underneath the van is surprisingly compliant but still stiff enough to not body roll during a turn around a bend in the road. The main issue I have is it has Koni shocks and obviously they are non adjustable. With the suspension that is already under the van, would I need the extra leaf springs since the van is loaded for the weight that it is carrying right now? Or would I just need the Falcon Shocks front and rear for the adjustability? Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question. Thank you for the video. I agree with not needing to replace the entire leaf pack. As always, your videos are very informative.
I have a 3500 4x4 its gonna be light for a couple years, does mine already have an equivalent to the 4.3? should just do the sumo and shocks package 2.3? RENNTECH tuned. and yo Moto ... I need a Renntech badge ..... please. -Jeremiah
If I am adding the larger gas tank and 25G water tank in the spare wheel area.. should I still go with adding the leafs or the full suspension change ?
What type of van is it? Revel, Storyteller, DIY? This build sounds like you should be find with the mini pack but you might want to get the van weighted
Full replacement spring pack does cost more, but it is better. You’re not over sprung if you purchase the correct spring set. Van Compass sells Agile Off Road springs on their website. Why would they do that if it had no benefit?
hey guys,am david from kenya,i have 2 sprinter vans that i use as mobile workshops,i do trucks repairs and maintenance,this guy is right on point,those spring packs are serious suckers,they make serious squeeks,original main springs are parabolic,for me i added 3 more springs,built two clams down then put rubber spacers between the each leaf,the ride is very comfortable no squeeks,no failed brake lines nothing,mine isn't a 4x4 and i have gone to places where non 4x4 woudnt dare,upto the depths of massai mara national park.nor to forget,our kenyan roads are horrible
Here’s my personal experience. My expedition weight drive axle of 144 is 5,440lb. That’s with the full water tank, full aux fuel tank and my Owl large box filled with instruments. So when I was upgrading the suspension I went for the Agile 5,400lb spring pack. And I can tell you, when I’m riding this heavy on the forest roads it drives perfect.
The problem is, I’m not always riding heavy. Like when we do winter camping at the ski resorts, our water tank is empty, we don’t carry much fuel in the aux tank and the rear box is empty too. The only extra weight is couple of pairs of skis. And the van does become stiff at the rear. The falcon shocks set to soft setting help a little bit with a rebound, but it’s still a non-optimal setup.
Besides that the AO leaf pack squeals like a dying pig all the time and it’s apparently a common issue for these packs.
So no, I do not recommend a dedicated pack.
Totally agree if you order the wrong custom pack it’s going to be to stiff. The VC should work for most people. But if you take the time to have a custom pac built for you final build weight you should be in the sweet spot. Buy a rear set up designed for 10,000 lbs and you van weighs 7,000 lbs it’s going to ride like crap. I made the same mistake on my first long travel truck.
I think the leaf spring package spring rate is matched to the weight of the vehicle. Your supposed to have your van weighed before the installation.
Hence why my custom build 170 4x4 is rocking the VC 4.3 upgrade. It's absolutely perfect! I kept my build on the lighter side purposefully and I'm rolling at 7850 loaded with water & toys.
Supersprings add a leaf self adjusting based on load.
Part SSA 55.
But not the Sumo Spring company said they are not good for off road applications.
A nice compliment to the van compass system.
Helpful video! Thanks owl vans!
Good points. I have noticed in close up pics of the VC rear mini leaf spring pack that there is a large rubber spacer. The AO rear leaf springs for RIP don't since the number of leaves are more. How does this play into the suspension behavior? I don't have much experience with leaf springs.
Yes, got that 'lecture' from Alex last month when he was looking over our install by others...luckily mine cleared.
But in looking at it, it looks like if we decide to install the Baja brackets they might also cause a conflict since it would push the shock towards the tire 2 inches or so. Have you found that to be an issue?
Thanks John. Every time you do a video, I end up spending money.
This was supposed to just be information!! :)
I have the Van Compass Stage 2 on my 2021 170 2WD, installed by Owl. May I add the rear mini spring pack?
Check the back of your van and send pics of the current leaf springs to ryan@owlvans.com. He would need to confirm your original equipment
Quick question and I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask or not? I've got a 2023 Terrain built on a 2022 MB 4WD chassis. The suspension that is underneath the van is surprisingly compliant but still stiff enough to not body roll during a turn around a bend in the road. The main issue I have is it has Koni shocks and obviously they are non adjustable. With the suspension that is already under the van, would I need the extra leaf springs since the van is loaded for the weight that it is carrying right now? Or would I just need the Falcon Shocks front and rear for the adjustability?
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question. Thank you for the video. I agree with not needing to replace the entire leaf pack. As always, your videos are very informative.
I have a 3500 4x4 its gonna be light for a couple years, does mine already have an equivalent to the 4.3? should just do the sumo and shocks package 2.3? RENNTECH tuned. and yo Moto ... I need a Renntech badge ..... please. -Jeremiah
Love this guys honesty. He is cute too ;-)
If I am adding the larger gas tank and 25G water tank in the spare wheel area.. should I still go with adding the leafs or the full suspension change ?
What type of van is it? Revel, Storyteller, DIY? This build sounds like you should be find with the mini pack but you might want to get the van weighted
@@owloffroad storyteller 2022
I have the 28 gallon aux tank in back and the agile RIP. I I think the mini leaf pack will be perfect
Full replacement spring pack does cost more, but it is better. You’re not over sprung if you purchase the correct spring set. Van Compass sells Agile Off Road springs on their website. Why would they do that if it had no benefit?
Thanks for the video!
Great video Thanks
Not to mention 'DOWN TRAVEL'