I apologize and admit that I have not done a Search, but I would like the latest recommendations tailored to my parameters.
My '05 Long/Tall 2500 I bought brand new has only 60k miles and rides EXACTLY like it did when new, and 90% of the miles have been over billiard table smooth roads, so the shocks have had the Life of Riley, and never broke in (or broke down). They were super harsh from day-one, with even a minor road seam shaking the vehicle (unless I run the tires soft).
My former van was a Ford E-350 Powerstoke diesel that could carry and tow far more, yet rode beautifully even empty, but was well controlled when fully loaded (and I towed trailers up to 12,000#s at times as well).
I just drove Seattle-Phoenix on I-5 and I feel like I'be through a war even though I drive slowly (cruise at 60 mph indicated/57mpg actual for quieter operation plus I get 30mpg at that speed), and I just can't stand it anymore.
I am not unfamiliar with heavily sprung vehicles-my truck is a Ram 1 ton Cummins dually with Stable-Loads and Auxiliary Air Springs and Ranch 9000X shocks (I haul up to 1.5tons internally, or tow up to 14,000 pounds and need the extra load handling), and it rides MUCH more acceptably than the Sprinter.
So, my question is has anyone found shocks that control the motion of the van (damping) without transmitting every little bump or road imperfection into the van like it ran over an IED, making the tire skitter. The fronts are the worst, but the rears could be lots better as well.
Up until now I've been to cheap to buy better shocks thinking Sachs or whoever made them make good dampers and maybe it's just the springs on the Sprinter, which is why I am soliciting comments (like do they ALL ride like buck-boards that crack fillings on California Interstates that are like ribbons of broken concrete).
The frustrating part is that on smooth bumps (dips or humps), the current shocks damp the motion fine with zero wallowing, damping the motion quickly- it's just thing like broken pavement, or edges of road slabs, or really poor paving that totally upset the vehicle. One side road off California 99 looked like the asphalt was applied in gobs that never melted together and the resulting lumps had to be taken at 10mph to avoid abusing the vehicle.
I know I can't be the only one who has suffered this characteristic, and faced with the prospect of running close to recommended tire pressures over such lousy roads in the future (my previous locations were blessed with great roads I guess), I need to find a solution, or I will be suffering PTSD or finding broken spot welds in my vehicle soon, and I don't want to lay out big bucks only to find pick the wrong solution.
Thanks,
Bob
My '05 Long/Tall 2500 I bought brand new has only 60k miles and rides EXACTLY like it did when new, and 90% of the miles have been over billiard table smooth roads, so the shocks have had the Life of Riley, and never broke in (or broke down). They were super harsh from day-one, with even a minor road seam shaking the vehicle (unless I run the tires soft).
My former van was a Ford E-350 Powerstoke diesel that could carry and tow far more, yet rode beautifully even empty, but was well controlled when fully loaded (and I towed trailers up to 12,000#s at times as well).
I just drove Seattle-Phoenix on I-5 and I feel like I'be through a war even though I drive slowly (cruise at 60 mph indicated/57mpg actual for quieter operation plus I get 30mpg at that speed), and I just can't stand it anymore.
I am not unfamiliar with heavily sprung vehicles-my truck is a Ram 1 ton Cummins dually with Stable-Loads and Auxiliary Air Springs and Ranch 9000X shocks (I haul up to 1.5tons internally, or tow up to 14,000 pounds and need the extra load handling), and it rides MUCH more acceptably than the Sprinter.
So, my question is has anyone found shocks that control the motion of the van (damping) without transmitting every little bump or road imperfection into the van like it ran over an IED, making the tire skitter. The fronts are the worst, but the rears could be lots better as well.
Up until now I've been to cheap to buy better shocks thinking Sachs or whoever made them make good dampers and maybe it's just the springs on the Sprinter, which is why I am soliciting comments (like do they ALL ride like buck-boards that crack fillings on California Interstates that are like ribbons of broken concrete).
The frustrating part is that on smooth bumps (dips or humps), the current shocks damp the motion fine with zero wallowing, damping the motion quickly- it's just thing like broken pavement, or edges of road slabs, or really poor paving that totally upset the vehicle. One side road off California 99 looked like the asphalt was applied in gobs that never melted together and the resulting lumps had to be taken at 10mph to avoid abusing the vehicle.
I know I can't be the only one who has suffered this characteristic, and faced with the prospect of running close to recommended tire pressures over such lousy roads in the future (my previous locations were blessed with great roads I guess), I need to find a solution, or I will be suffering PTSD or finding broken spot welds in my vehicle soon, and I don't want to lay out big bucks only to find pick the wrong solution.
Thanks,
Bob