Agile or Ujoint - Page 4

c7train · 11-15-2015, 06:16 PM

So we have a few people making leaf packs these days, Deaver coming in at 1700.00, Ujoint at 595.00, MGM Metal works around the same price as joint (correct?), and does Agile make leaf packs as well? Anyway, I'm curious about comparing the sets. I'm looking for a plush but stable ride, and to get ride of that saggy butt syndrome our vans have after we install the MOOG CC880S springs. I have installed/driven/ridden in a van that used Deavers, it was amazing how nice it rode, would anyone using the other leaf packs care to comment on their ride characteristics? Thanks!

C.

mgmetalworks · 11-15-2015, 08:15 PM

I do not make or sell suspension parts. No current plans to get into the e-series suspension game as there are already too many players.

c7train · 11-15-2015, 08:38 PM

Oh yikes sorry I was thinking of weldtecdesigns. My bad.

UJOINT · 11-17-2015, 07:58 PM

Deavers are great. To the best of my knowledge they don't actually build springs, they blueprint and have them made elsewhere.

We can do any rear spring from 4"/up, whatever weight is needed. On a loaded van like a SMB its always best to get the actual weight before building.

illking · 11-18-2015, 10:53 AM

I had deaver do the springs on my 4x4 76 chevy van, The guys at deaver are really great to work with.

Just wanted to say thanks also for everyones opinions and some of the manufactures dropping in on this thread and sharing info. I know the original question is impossible to answer as everyone had different needs and prefrences but its really great to have all this info and opinions in one place as im sure a lot of people may come accross this decision.

WeldTecDesigns · 11-19-2015, 08:24 AM

If your decisions wasn't difficult enough, i just figure i will throw my 2 cent s in....

http://www.weldtec-designs.com/blog/

Quote:

Originally Posted by c7train

Oh yikes sorry I was thinking of weldtecdesigns. My bad.

We do have leaf springs in stock and available for shipping. Custom springs are also available for your vans.

Ridge · 12-02-2015, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illking

I had deaver do the springs on my 4x4 76 chevy van, The guys at deaver are really great to work with.

Just wanted to say thanks also for everyones opinions and some of the manufactures dropping in on this thread and sharing info. I know the original question is impossible to answer as everyone had different needs and prefrences but its really great to have all this info and opinions in one place as im sure a lot of people may come accross this decision.

If you would like to go for a ride with an Agile Off-Road conversion, get ahold of me. I have NOTHING against U-Joint but I don't think he can get the same suspension travel out a solid axle without going too high. I could be wrong though, because to be fair, I've never ridden with one of his kits. I have talked to Chris and I appreciate what he has done for the 4x4 van market.

After Ramsey (Agile Off-Road) completed my conversion (from a straight axle), he took me for a test drive. He veered off the pavement and hit a hole so big, I thought the passenger front wheel was going to come through the body. I tensed up but nothing happened. It didn't even bottom out.

As far as setting up the suspension, Ramsey knows his stuff. He has revalved the suspension on my off-road racecar...

It sits low for a van on 35s:

ctb · 12-03-2015, 02:58 PM

What's the difference in air bags vs. leaf springs? Nobody is talking that as an alternative? Or is it a viable trade/option? Can't wait to see what you all think/responses....

carringb · 12-03-2015, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctb

What's the difference in air bags vs. leaf springs? Nobody is talking that as an alternative? Or is it a viable trade/option? Can't wait to see what you all think/responses....

Are you thinking a full multi-link air-ride system, or add-on airbags over (or in or next to) existing springs?

Biggest downside of full air-ride is cost. The more capable it is, the more is costs. Cheap bolt-on supplementary airbags often will make the ride worse. A multi-link long-travel full-airbag setup with accumulators could ride VERY nice, but would add lots of complexity besides costing thousands initially.

RandallDee · 12-03-2015, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridge

It sits low for a van on 35s:

Nice looking van Ridge.

Personally, I'm not a fan of lots of lift, and thats one of my favorite things about the Agile conversion is that it can sit lower and still function the same, if thats how you want it set up. I asked for as little lift as possible and ended up with only 2" above stock height. It's also impressive that after the conversion is installed that Ramsey can custom valve the shocks on the conversion based on your weight/needs so that you can end up with a custom tuned suspension.

When I was shopping for a conversion, I had it narrowed down to Agile, Ujoint and Quadvan. Since I live in Portland, it was easy to go see John and take a test drive. John was a super nice guy with a great shop. I also looked heavy at Ujoint and Chris was really great about shooting me quotes and getting me info, and I think he would be great to work with. But there was no one in Portland that had done a Ujoint conversion and the logistics of getting it from the west coast to the east coast added even more expense to the conversion for me.

But having owned a 4 x 4 Toyota with an independent front suspension I was already a fan. We all see lots of photos of vans in different off road scenarios, but the reality is that there is a whole lot of pavement driving getting to and from the back country adventures and when I'm driving my van on the interstate or highway, even in the twisty's, it really drives and rides nice in addition to how it performs on the rough stuff.