Best ever non-engineer explanation of what's going on down under any vehicle. Congrats, and kudos - this kind of content can only add to the level of trust people have in your content, which obviously influences sales. Great job - keep them coming!
@my_king.7 ай бұрын
I don't know anything about cars, vans or trucks, somehow your detailed explanation makes perfect sense to me. Great job.... Thank you!
@user-pc7ph3qp8t9 ай бұрын
Fantastic explanation of the suspension components on a Sprinter van. Super simple and easy to understand. Loved the French Press analogy...Nice job John!
@BrianMartin-s5h12 күн бұрын
WOW! what an excellent, concise and understandable explanation!!
@sailorcto2 жыл бұрын
Great, great explanation on suspensions, components and use cases (on-road, off-road, etc.). Thank you.
@nfri51082 жыл бұрын
great video...scheduled to get my 4.3 from Owl denver next month..I tried to resist but too many happy customers convinced me it is the way to go...
@varsigdorsson634510 ай бұрын
I did Rally in the old days, then I often had to think in terms of solutions. when i got my new sprinter the rear suspension was hopeless after the car was fitted. The rear end was thrown up, if driving on rough terrain. Instead of spending a lot of money on new dampers, I bought another pair of original dampers, and welded the damper eyes together, side by side. It's been like this for 3 years, great suspension, double safety and simple :-) And I live in Iceland, my car has been driven 30 thousand. km. on Iceland's bad mountain roads
@michaelcamacho42312 жыл бұрын
Thanks John! 2013 Thor Motor Coach Citation Sprinter upgraded Springs here I come....
@owlvansengineering2 жыл бұрын
awesome
@howarddavis6232 Жыл бұрын
For a bean counter (accountant) your explanation was excellent. Well done.
@jaimegonzalez103 Жыл бұрын
You do a great job explaining! Thank you!!
@dthomas30653 жыл бұрын
Thank you great explanation of what can seem complicated.
@thename95522 жыл бұрын
French press. What a great unexpected analogy. Perfect.
@owlvansengineering2 жыл бұрын
Thanks :)
@zacharyzamora68894 ай бұрын
Great explanation! Thanks
@diamondsontour Жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks. I think there's another reason stock vans have the spring rates that they do. It's because the majority of sprinter vans are used in their daily lives with only small payloads. A delivery company with a few parcels will only be carrying a little weight. In contrast, when you build out a camper, you're running fully laden all the time, which is beyond the design specification as they're designed to be reasonable for most users. If they built them to be right for someone that runs it fully laden all the time, it would be way too hard for the majority of people that use them less than half full most of the time. At least, that's my theory.
@moneypitvan63783 жыл бұрын
What a good video. Amazing idea to share this with people that don't know anything about this stuff.
@timsanchez28602 жыл бұрын
Absolutely nailed it … hopefully people can understand it!
@ruiten42 жыл бұрын
Top explantion. Riding on the pumpstops with Sumo's you don't want is give's to much pressure on one point on your chassis with risk of breakage.
@davidrosen49518 ай бұрын
Awesome clear explanation. Thanks much!
@xiangchen25695 ай бұрын
Your explanations are damn good ❤
@Duda47113 жыл бұрын
Great explanation specifically to the different requirements on versus off road!
@mikeinmon499723 күн бұрын
Great video
@TRabocse7 ай бұрын
Thank you. Very clear explanation 👍🏼
@bobberger37642 жыл бұрын
The best explanation I have been able to find. The question is, where should I get the work done? Will a dealer do it on an RV Class C
@johnwillenborg2 жыл бұрын
We have locations on NorCal, SoCal and Colorado
@davidlipton2424 Жыл бұрын
Great video, answered All my questions. Thanks
@dougtarter87133 жыл бұрын
Great Explanation! hmm. seems like I remember you setting up "Stroker Ace's" race car in that movie? 🍿 😁
@roam4fun8533 жыл бұрын
Good fundamental explanation.
@JQuito107011 ай бұрын
Thanks...well Done!
@johngrant13373 жыл бұрын
Good class and great teaching thanks
@eastvaleboy Жыл бұрын
Excellent explanation
@hbjtf3 жыл бұрын
I have a 2WD 144” 2500 with the Agile Off-road Ride Improvement Package. We travel on paved and dirt roads (in our Pleasure Way RV) all over the country. The Agile Ride Improvement Package works very well. I am confident that other packages that replace both the leaf springs and shock absorbers, when based on the actual combined and loaded weight of build outs, passengers, fluids, and assorted gear would be a drastic improvement. My wife and I got really tired of the “head banging rock and roll” of the stock Mercedes suspension. Pathetic is too kind of a description for the stock suspension. The spring force with the suspension upgrade helps a ton in cross winds too. That’s another big benefit of well designed, engineered, and installed suspension upgrades.
@saguirre513 жыл бұрын
I have a PW Ascent with Summos front and rear, Fox shocks in the rear, waiting to install B6's in the front. This upgrade made a huge difference, even for crosswinds. I have been looking for a sway bar that will fit with the minimal clearance I have because of the generator. Curious if you have looked into getting a sway bar and any luck finding one?
@papasaur3 жыл бұрын
Curious if you have traveled with passenger(s) in the back seat? Is there any improvements for their ride comfort with the RIP?
@alanjamieson29213 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. Much appreciated.
@martinpouyat33942 жыл бұрын
Excellent explanation, thanks!
@eddienacini69533 жыл бұрын
Owls are very wise thanks for the vid.
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
ha ha, I see what you did there ;)
@LW-io4sw3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely great explanation! Thanks!
@danischulze80213 жыл бұрын
Excellent explanation! Thank you, now I totally understand. 👏👏👏👏
@PhuocNguyen-js6hy3 жыл бұрын
👍Awesome awesome
@johnwilliamson94533 жыл бұрын
Great explanation John!
@magicalmartinable2 жыл бұрын
Excellent video. Thank you
@SuperSteer2 жыл бұрын
Great video!
@bobbyGnOly2 жыл бұрын
Very well done, I learned alot. Thank you
@joemamamia17513 жыл бұрын
Absolutely wonderful vid! Thank you!!
@karenbanzer9552 жыл бұрын
great explanation !!!
@chrisgrover21343 жыл бұрын
Excellent information - thank you
@bullbareback4026 Жыл бұрын
Super helpful, cheers mate
@chrishague70682 жыл бұрын
Good talk very well explained thank you
@larryheiny52873 жыл бұрын
good informational vid
@bobmccarthy5636 Жыл бұрын
Love your videos, I find them informative and useful. Just a tad confused by this one. When ordering a new Sprinter there are several configurations to choose from and that includes different suspension configurations, from comfort (soft), where the volume of the cargo area is more important than the load, up to heavy duty suspension and air suspension. I don't see the sense in just trying whatever the dealer happens to have on the lot and buying that considering the investment involved. I also find it a tad unrealistic for Mercedes to deliberately configure the suspension based on a test drive of an empty vehicle when the vast majority of their global Sprinter sales are fleet sales. Not trying to be a smart-ass here, just not sure that part of the video is 100% correct.
@dare2view3 жыл бұрын
Great explanation on back suspension, can you explain about the front section of the suspension
@themosaito3 жыл бұрын
Great video! Thanks so much!
@kongkevin53733 жыл бұрын
I Learn a lot. Thanks
@JeffJones-im1dx Жыл бұрын
Understandable...thanks
@TheHurdlemaster2 жыл бұрын
I feel every bump on the road on my sprinter. It rides like a school bus. It's only 37k miles. Do you think it's the shocks that need to be replaced?
@ronbusio62842 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Greetz Ron Holland
@42StevoStyle2 жыл бұрын
Great job
@shirley-BEE-Van-Life____ Жыл бұрын
Great info.
@naluryder2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
@sparrowfoodsolutions28043 жыл бұрын
Would you consider putting up a video comparing agile off roads rip kit vs van compass?
@papasaur3 жыл бұрын
@@matthewjswider which one do you think is more effective? especially wrt ride comfort for passenger in the rear?
@matthewjswider3 жыл бұрын
papasaur couldn’t tell you tbh.
@weekendwarrior47902 жыл бұрын
Could do a video on a Sprinter suspension install? 🙏🏽
@billbeyatte3 жыл бұрын
Sumo Springs? Instead of replacing leaf springs I'm getting a Mode in November.
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
You will still need to address the rear leafs
@jamesdeanphoto3 жыл бұрын
Excellent explanation, well done!
@tc3imagery10 ай бұрын
Thanks for such a great great explanation. Does the general benefits of firmer stiffer suspensions that I am just now learning about (making better handling and less vehicle lean) also apply to taller vehicles like high roof sprinters? I recently bought a 2008 sprinter 2500 RWD 144” high roof (with a DIY camper buildout that brings total van weight to almost 7,000 lbs) that needs new leaf springs (each spring has a cracked front eye). I would like to upgrade from the factory monoleafs (1 leaf), so I would like to get a 2 or 3 leaf spring, for the increased load capacity. I’m wondering if increasing to 2 or 3 leaves will just be so super annoyingly bumpy when going over bumps or dips, if the spring’ load capacities are not met. I also wonder if the stiffer 2 or 3 leaf springs will translate to this high roof van dangerously or worryingly leaning over around curves. Or will it do the opposite and reduce the chance of that happening? Any thoughts on this? Or any other cons of getting more-leaved springs (vs the pro of increased load capacity)? Thanks!
@owlvansengineering10 ай бұрын
The short answer is you want the correct spring rate for the weight of your van. I would get the van weighed (truck stop) and then give our customer support a call and they can get the right leafs for you.
@tc3imagery10 ай бұрын
@@owlvansengineering Great, thanks! I already have that weight, so I'll give you a call now.
@fboest2 жыл бұрын
Guys...is there any good kit made or tips how to make 2020 Sprinter lower? Main problem is rear end, rear leaf springs...
@yh7hnJngj.2 жыл бұрын
How does sumo springs come into the equation?
@ajrollan53043 жыл бұрын
Are you doing the van compass 6.5 upgrade for sto
@jonbaker73703 жыл бұрын
STAGE 4.3 - VAN COMPASS SUSPENSION PACKAGE VAN WITH FALCON 3.3 ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS - SPRINTER 4X4 (2007-CURRENT 2500) $ 2,839.98 then add on the Labor cost of installation {$1700} and finding a good place to do it right. Agile quoted me $5300 for the RIP package installed by them in San Diego. Seems like a big difference but the Labor cost unless you do it yourself which I would never attempt myself if likely to cost the same. What is your total price out the door installed by you guys. I know people hate putting a dollar amount on a you tube video and FB post, but it does come down to the cost. Everyone I know loves their suspension up grade. I'm still running my stock and having a blast, but I don't want to break my van by beating the crap out of it.
@user-ym6lc7pk1e3 жыл бұрын
I’ve been quoted $1,350 (10 hours of labor) for installation of Van Compass 2.3 + full set of leaf springs from Agile. Considering that Van Compass has adjustable Falcon shocks, to me it’s a no brainer.
@AA-kf7uf3 жыл бұрын
Van Compass vs Agile?
@user-ym6lc7pk1e3 жыл бұрын
Actually VanCompass stopped selling quick bar disconnect. I wonder why?
@PhuocNguyen-js6hy3 жыл бұрын
👍Họ xong
@phatmeow77642 жыл бұрын
hi so dumb it down for me : if my vehicle has leaf springs already installed - for a 50/50 road/off-road vehicle which type of shocks would be best w.r.t cost n maintenance?
@owlvansengineering2 жыл бұрын
All sprinters have leaf springs installed. If your van is built our you will likely have to add addition leaf to get the spring rate hirer. We recommend the Van Compasss suspension with the Falcon shocks
@akyzacvanlife6563 жыл бұрын
Well explain sir thank you 🤓
@ryanc36563 жыл бұрын
Who makes a good sway bar disconnect? Is this included in the Van Compass 4.3 or 6.3?
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
Van Compass used to make them. Probably going to bring them back. They are not included with suspension kits
@wokthetalk30793 жыл бұрын
Thank you John, Where I agree with everything you noted in this video, I can’t help but feel that it is such waste to drive off a RV dealership with say a new Revel but only to replace a bunch of new parts right away with new updated parts. I noticed that Agile’s RIP Kit utilizes front coil springs (which I am thinking is my preference) while the Vancompass 6.5 Kit has front Sumosprings. I was wonder if you would be willing to share your opinion on these front spring choices? Also, can one add say a RIP or 6.5 Kit for example and opt out of lifting the vehicle? I plan to add 245/70-R17 BFG KO2’s rather than the larger tire/rim choices in hopes to minimize further raising the C of G and thus impacting further, swaying. Any opinions John on tire/wheel/lift and the impacts on the C of G?
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
Our preference is the 4.3 from Van Compass as we feel it is the best option available. While you will see improvement with the Agile kit as well, the unibody was not designed to carry load there the shocks mount so a coil spring there can cause long term issues.
@Agileoffroad3 жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering Very informative video John. Thanks for sharing. The only thing we'd disagree with you on is your point about the effect of the coil-assist we add to the front strut. The logic you used to explain how the rear is under-sprung for the weight of a built out van applies to the front suspension as well. A relatively light 200-lb. assist spring isn't going to cause any long term issues (but works wonders in terms of ride improvement). Just like any other traditional coilover strut configuration, we install a very durable (and replaceable) bearing on top of the strut to alleviate any stress on the upper strut mounts.
@sambuvca222 жыл бұрын
let me ask you,,, have you had or heard of anyone lifting their 2 wheel drive model a bit to accept bigger tires? i just want my 22 a little taller with off road tires like yours.
@owlvansengineering2 жыл бұрын
Yes, Van Compass has 2wd lift kits
@othess.27183 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video...So if you are not adding any significant weight to your sprinter (Current weight about 6100 lbs), and you just want better ride quality (on Forest roads), then you really dont need to change the Springs....maybe just adjustable shocks?? Does that sound right? or did I misunderstand. Thanks again.
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
That is correct. The van empty is sprung well. It is when you start adding weight that it becomes a problem. Shocks would help but springs are likely unnecessary
@othess.27183 жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering Awesome!! Thanks a lot... Shocks have been ordered!! LOL. Thanks a lot for the advice!
@50spudman3 жыл бұрын
👍
@cesarin3212 жыл бұрын
Does anybody knows the european equivalent to this type of suspension ? thanks.
@ruiten42 жыл бұрын
Rhodes vans can help you
@cesarin3212 жыл бұрын
@@ruiten4 thank you !!!!
@greg.ocallaghan Жыл бұрын
What about the stock sway bar? Is it a good “middle of the road” solution between on and off-road? Or is it more tuned towards one or the other?
@owlvansengineering Жыл бұрын
Unless youre planning on being 95% on road, I would not upgrade the sway bar to a larger diameter.
@greg.ocallaghan Жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering but you'd definitely add the disconnects?
@owlvansengineering Жыл бұрын
@@greg.ocallaghan It would help off road for sure
@greg.ocallaghan Жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering Awesome! thanks for the info. I have a 6.3 kit going in next week, will give that a go first!
@geezercam90703 жыл бұрын
John.. will Sumo bump stops help with on road, back and forth sway? I've replaced the shocks with Koni's but don't want to replace springs because I don't want to increase vehicle height (to hard to get in).
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
The most important change needed is the rear spring rate. Sumos are great but you don't want to ride on the bump stops. The height of the front of the van, where you get in, isn't really changed by raising the rear.
@geezercam90703 жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering Thsnks
@ifly64s3 жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering from what you've taught us I would say the rear leaf upgrade does not lift the rear at all because it merely returns the van to it's showroom height before the load was added?
@gogodoit3 жыл бұрын
Hi John, can I use the bumpstop gap to evaluate my Revel’s sag? what’s the recommended bumpstop gap on a loaded 144 Sprinter?
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
It's a good question. Basically yes, you can. You would want to leave you vehicle down with gear and a full water tank. Then you should have about a 1.5" (I'll confirm) gap in your bump stops when parked on level ground. Ill measure our van and see where it is sitting.
@shawnbrick41273 жыл бұрын
Get the VC stage 3. I did and it completely changed the Revel handling. Before I feared for my life in in the Wyoming crosswinds.
@craigfisher673 жыл бұрын
@@owlvansengineering Being a mountain biker, I loved the sag reference. Did you confirm what optimal gap is between rear bump stops? I have a stock 20MB / 22 Revel and have a 2” gap. Thanks!!
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
@@craigfisher67 2" gap sounds fine. If you build the van our. you will likely see that drop to about .5"
@thapr12nv3 жыл бұрын
Does the agile rip kit address the issues? I'm getting a stealth mode in October. Looking to upgrade the suspension. What do you recommend agile vs vancompass
@tranquilitybase64173 жыл бұрын
I went with Agile on my 2016/4x4/144 and am very happy with it. But I think the Van Compass has manual adjust with my Agile does not. Nevertheless the ride is much improved and off-road is a breeze.
@thapr12nv3 жыл бұрын
@@tranquilitybase6417 thanks for your input
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
@@thapr12nv Yes, we prefer the Van Compass kit because we feel it offers better options for the money but both will improve the situation.
@owlvansengineering3 жыл бұрын
@@matthewjswider The purpose of this video was not to start a debate about the best suspension, it was simply intended at informational. As a company that can sell any suspension we want to, since we don't make suspension, we opted for the Van Compass kit because they are the innovators in this space. VC has the best adjustable shocks available, valved specifically for a sprinter. We have also spoken with VC at length about the use of a coilover spring on the front . Neigher of us is comfortable with the long term viability of putting load on the unibody where it was not designed to take load.
@valerie38923 жыл бұрын
👍🏽
@tom45423 жыл бұрын
FIRST!!!
@EpicRSvids2 жыл бұрын
sponsored video?
@johnwillenborg2 жыл бұрын
We never do any sort of sponsored videos. All our videos are simply our opinion