Best suspension upgrades for westie

[OldWest]

May want to check AgileOffRoad re price of their Fox Shox. They may not be much more than Konis.

Could also ask them priority of most bang for bucks. From various postings, maybe go for Fox Shox in rear and then Sumo Solos in front. If front struts are worn, then Konis in front.

Having added various upgrades over time, there may be diminishing returns as each enhancement upgrade is added.

Various postings on the Fox Shox suggest $130 to $150 each for the regular kind and $300 each for the external reservoir one.

The adjustable external reservoir costs more but may dampen less at full whatever than the IFP (Independent Floating Piston?) one which looks like a regular shock (need to ask AgileOffRoad). Also, if always have a full load (like a campervan) and little offroad travel, the adjustable external reservoir might not add much value.

[OldWest]

And maybe take advantage of your time in the San Diego area and see if you can stop by Europarts-SD.com and look at the various shocks in person as to (a) dimensions (compressed and extended lengths, eyebolts), (b) differences in dampening, and (c) differences between roof heights/cab chassis variations.

[Kiltym]

From another Westy owner who installed Bilstein shocks/struts.

Originally Posted by Alexander178

The numbers I have are:
22 214768 (front)
BNE 6452 BE (rear)

Thanks!

Looks like you used the "super high ceiling" version in the front, which is good to know as it was very unclear from Bilstein which would be correct.

And the rear, is likely the older/previous part # for their B4 shock: 19-064529

I will add the above to the suspension thread.

[Kiltym]

Received the following from Europarts regarding the two B6 Bilstein shocks currently available (one states 3500 and one states 2500) (rear).

"Sorry for the delay. We now have both of these shocks back in stock.

Both of them have mounting eyes at the top and bottom which will receive a 14mm thru-bolt.
167161 is just longer than the other one."

So, as best I know, there are no B6 Bilsteins that will fit the 2500 van. Only the B4.

I have asked Europarts about using a reducer in the bushing to reduce the diameter from 14mm to 12mm, and am waiting for a reply. Not sure if using a reducer is safe or not..... If I hadn't got such a cheap price on the B6 I would probably move on and just return them. Something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/IKON-KONI-s...53.m1438.l2649

[Kavewesty]

Originally Posted by coloradobjj

I"m looking for any info on what I need to do to make my westie handle better. I"m thinking about the Roadmaster active suspension but not sure if I will need shocks as well. I currently have stock suspension and shocks on a van with under 30k. Any good info or experiences out there?
Below is what I have seen, looking for anything to help narrow it down, whats the most bang for my buck?
7. Suspension Mods
a. Koni Shocks
b. Heavier Rear Anti-Sway Bar (UpscaleAuto.com)
c. SteerSafe (front steering dampener)
d. Rear Airbags (Sports-Rite?)
e. Supplemental Rear Leaf Springs

thanks

Check out OHV.com - lift kits coming soon.

[Kiltym]

Continuing my quest to confirm or try to get the 24-167161 shocks to fit our van.

The issue of the 14/14 holes can be solved with a sleeve insert to change the hole from 14mm to 12mm. Not a huge issue.

Now, the specs on these shocks are 21.65" uncompressed and 14.4" compressed.

Most 2500 shocks are ~20-21"/13". So I have some concern about bottoming out. The Koni, KYB, Monroe, and B4 Bilstein are all about these measurements.

However, I found this thread: https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...?t=2603&page=3 which has some information about shock lengths.

It seems, the OEM Sachs are 21.5"/13.8" based on one post. So that seems a bit closer to the B6 Bilstein. There is also information on that thread about why other shocks are ~20-21". Because of a change to 16" wheels for US market.

I also found the attached image. Which shows 2 sachs (OE) shock's for our vans. I looked for a stamp/number on mine, and unfortunately cannot find it on either shock. So I have no way to confirm 100% without removing a shock and measuring.

I am posting here for others as I continue my research.

One sure would think there would be a bit more precise engineering with these things, but seeing as 5 shocks for the 2500 are all varied, there seems to be quite some leeway.

[OldWest]

An interesting article from GoWesty.com re Bilsteins versus Fox. While not directly applicable as shocks reviewed are for VWs, interesting comments re longevity, washboard roads, and ideal target for dampening.

http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=177

[calbiker]

That's not what our 3500 Sprinter motor home damping looks like. The GoWesty folks think 1/2 of critical damping is ideal. Not sure is that's really ideal. But that's so far off base from a stock 3500 Sprinter motor home.

Critical damping has damping of 1.0. Half of critical is then 0.5. Cars are usually designed for damping of 0.2. My '07 3500 Navion has damping of less than 0.1. See green plot. The oscillations goes on for about 4 wavelengths. Walk inside and the chassis rocks. Side winds easily move the vehicle around. That's all because the shocks are too weak.

I now have Koni red struts adjusted to max damping up front and Fox shocks adjusted by Agile Off Road in the rear. The vehicle damping is now close to 0.2.



BTW, a couple of weeks ago I installed Koni reds in my VW Westfalia. I like the adjust-ability.

[OldWest]

For Kiltym re different length shocks--GoWesty.com had an article re different height VWs using the same length shock:

http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=159

[OldWest]

Not much discussion about full or partial replacement airbag systems--seem to be mostly for dual rear wheels although there may be versions for single rear wheel. Here's a review of the VB Air Suspension system on a dual rear wheel Winnebago Navion/View:

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...868#post643868

Other threads (including Glide-Rite):

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...air+suspension

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...air+suspension

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...air+suspension

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...air+suspension

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/sh...air+suspension

NOTE: Different supplemental air bag add-ons may deform the Sprinter unibody structure unless reinforcement is made. These supplemental air bags are not as extensive as the VB Air Suspension, Glide-Rite, or Kelderman systems.