Passenger suspension

[malwcal]

Hi All,

I recently bought a 2003 313 LWB High Roof which has had bus conversion and wheel chair lift installed. Now all the tribe can travel together.

One question: I see various forums that passenger T1Ns were sold with passenger rear suspension. Now, as mine was a conversion, and as (as far as I know) the passenger T1Ns were never sold here, I do not think I have the passenger suspension. My ride is fairly bouncy and I think it is probably cargo suspension. How would I tell?

And, more to the point, is it possible to buy the passenger suspension here in Australia?

[glasseye]

[QUOTE=malwcal;71263... I think it is probably cargo suspension. How would I tell?
[/QUOTE]

Look at the rear leaf spring. If it's two layers, it's passenger. If it's one, cargo.

At least, that's the North American spec. You Aussies might have anything down there, knowing you. :idunno::lol:

[PeterInSa]

Thanks for the info Glasseye,
My 2003 CDI has one spring as as used as a MH I need the weight carrying ability. Question do the passenger models have less weight carrying capability?

In Australia most load carrying commercial vehicles have leaf springs whereas passenger vehicle have Coil.

Peter

[glasseye]

Your question on load-bearing capacities will have to revert to someone in a higher pay grade than me. Sorry. :idunno:

[Altered Sprinter]

Hi All,

I recently bought a 2003 313 LWB High Roof which has had bus conversion and wheel chair lift installed. Now all the tribe can travel together.

One question: I see various forums that passenger T1Ns were sold with passenger rear suspension. Now, as mine was a conversion, and as (as far as I know) the passenger T1Ns were never sold here, I do not think I have the passenger suspension. My ride is fairly bouncy and I think it is probably cargo suspension. How would I tell?

And, more to the point, is it possible to buy the passenger suspension here in Australia?

Malwcal : Look at the rego papers for a GVM it's either 3.5 =3500 or its been de-weighted for transport regulation to 3.200 GVM =3200.
Adding the second spring is not a direct bolt on as both rear so called passenger dual- springs have a different pre-set thickness and taper for the twin parabolic springs.
The problem is getting it registered as a 3.8GVM all Ambo's are rated 3.8 GVM but are weighted back to 3.5 T once on sold.
there are approx 22 spring ratings of combination's available.
You can add a custom second spring which is available in Australia that can be retrofitted,providing your van is suitable for the non Mercedes supplementary spring, which will prevent sagging at the rear and give you more stability on cornering.
Passenger vans were not sold in Australia as to crash testing not being compliant as to Mercedes thinking they would not sell them.
Transfer buses were fully imported privately,as second hand, or via Mercedes on behalf of the customer then modified for Australian use or standard, vans were modified by Australian coach builders using bus type seats.
Materials used standard Grey vinyl, OEM Mercedes fabric to match seats or the typical English multiple colored chunderramma bus seat cloth was imported.


Richard

[malwcal]

Ok Richard, you have answered my question by giving me many more!

Malwcal : Look at the rego papers for a GVM it's either 3.5 =3500 or its been de-weighted for transport regulation to 3.200 GVM =3200.
Adding the second spring is not a direct bolt on as both rear so called passenger dual- springs have a different pre-set thickness and taper for the twin parabolic springs.


I will need to check the rego papers again, however I am fairly sure this is still a 3.5. It has a compliance plate saying it is a 12 seater passenger vehicle, so is registered as such.


The problem is getting it registered as a 3.8GVM all Ambo's are rated 3.8 GVM but are weighted back to 3.5 T once on sold.

Mine is not an ex-ambo, but the question is: why would I want to register it as 3.8GVM?


there are approx 22 spring ratings of combination's available.
You can add a custom second spring which is available in Australia that can be retrofitted,providing your van is suitable for the non Mercedes supplementary spring, which will prevent sagging at the rear and give you more stability on cornering.

How would I know if this were an option? And would it help: I find the vehicle bounces around a fair bit, particularly when turning into driveways. Makes me think I am too lightly loaded for the suspension. Would these custom second springs fix this?


Passenger vans were not sold in Australia as to crash testing not being compliant as to Mercedes thinking they would not sell them.
Transfer buses were fully imported privately,as second hand, or via Mercedes on behalf of the customer then modified for Australian use or standard, vans were modified by Australian coach builders using bus type seats.
Materials used standard Grey vinyl, OEM Mercedes fabric to match seats or the typical English multiple colored chunderramma bus seat cloth was imported.

Richard

As you say, mine has bus type seats, grey in clour but not vinyl.

[Altered Sprinter]

OK you have a GVM of 3.5 Metric tons.
If you add the duel spring setup then you add an additional 300 Kg which officially makes the vans CVM 3.8T.
In doing so you have modified your vehicle beyond its original satisfactions,thus you need DOT approval .
In the event of an accident with out clearance from the DOT where a modification with suspension from changing one standard set of springs to another set, irrespective of them being to a manufactures specification, if an ambient claim was to be mace it could become and party no fault insurance ,a counter claim from GIO could be made for recovery of monies.
With your vehicle specific insurance, your claim from your insurer can be denied as to A not notifying your insurance company of a suspension modification, the onus of responsibility is on you to know the law,,Yeah I know :crazy:
Adding dual springs at the rear will reduce the back from dropping at the same time stabilizing your van , these two springs have varying tapers, us a somewhat softer ride.
An alternative is a aftermarket spring which is a clip on and works as well as dual less than a thousand dollars fitted
You are limited in rear shock absorbers however changing over to a heavier rear sway bar equally reduces left or right rear suspension drops at varying speeds and entry into awkward drive ways.
Cost is your problem as none of these options are cheap fixes or cures and its cheaper to import rather than deal with your local MB dealer, from what I have heard from your end of the awkward block they have an expensive you pay freight built-in to their pricing schedules quote from what I have heard from others:idunno:
Option; if you want to improve the rear end suspension it comes down to a AU $1500 air system plus fitting and this in part must be set at your local MB shop as to altering your brake force censoring valve.BFV.
Rear dual springs MB OEM
Camper rear sway bar MB OEM
Or a approx one thousand dollar rear additional Australian spring which may or not improve your handling.
Richard