Van Sway / Top Heavy

[Greggd]

Bob ,
Remember always that we have added a great deal of additional weight to these E-350 platforms even without the Penthouse Top that we so dearly desire and with that in mind try and accelerated maintenance schedule on all items that we depend upon .
Greggse

[mbachani]

Hello Jage,

Thanks for the picture. Whatever set up you have there, mine is totally different. My Sway Bar is attached to the frame. No link,No pins. Unless whatever I'm looking at is not a sway bar.

Bob in Tucson

[jage]

If that's the case that could be a large part of your problem. Take some photos so we can see what you've got. PM me a phone number if you need help.

[alta825]

my understanding is that the Quigley sway bar does not have the quick disconnect like the SMB system - it is more or less permanent. at least my 01 doesn't have the quick disconnect feature.....

-d

[mbachani]

There is nothing that's going to quickly disconnect on mine.
Jage, I'll get you some pictures.

Bob in Tucson

[peacemakerpete]

Hi Bob
We have a 1998 E-350 with the voyager (fixed) top 4X4, so we have some weight issues up high like you.

We tried the Rancho adjustable shocks. They helped, but the real fix was 4 new bilsteins. Also, our Sportsmobile did not have a rear sway bar, so Mr Helwig made that right. The final was to put poly-urethane bushings in the stock front sway bar. She doesn't quite handle like a Porche yet, but MUCH more predictable in turns with less body sway. If you 4X4 a lot, you will want a disconnectable sway bar for OFF ROAD use. Be sure and put the pins back when on the road.

Our 2 cents worth
Peacemakerpete

[oclv]

Regarding the air pressure comments, I am wondering what people have found works good for Toyo Open Country AT in 285/75/17. The max air pressure marked on the sidewall says 80#'s. They were at 80 when I picked up the van at Salem Kroger. I lowered to 75#s on our three week trip, and just lowered to 70#s last weekend on a trip to Mammoth. At 70#'s the rider over expansion joints was much better, but I did notice more sway in the strong wind gusts we had on the way home. I would think if I ran 50 to 55#s as was posted earlier that I would feel quite a bit of sway. oclv

[mbachani]

Hello everyone,

It' been a busy day. I finally got time to snap a few photos so check them out in my gallery of my sway bar set up.

Bob in Tucson

[jage]

That's not a Sportsmobile 4wd conversion... I don't recognize it. However the sway bar is fine provided the other side is also connected to the axle in a similar manner- make sure the weld on that front elbow is not broken too (where the sway bar turns down)

[John Kalmbach]

Hello Bob,

You can order a heavier duty front sway bar for your Quigley 4x4 conversion from SMB. They have a kit to adapt the larger sway bar that is used on the SMB 4x4. This should help you control the sway of your SMB.

I noticed you still have the "C" channel front suspension links. Make sure you inspect them for cracks. You can order replacement tubular steel suspension links from Quigley. I suggest you have the tubular steel suspension links installed in place of the "C" channels suspension links because at some point, the "C" channels will crack.

John K.