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Old 07-09-2014, 04:34 PM   #1
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Rejuvenating Sportsmobile 4WD suspension

Hey folks, Either the California highways have been getting much worse, or my suspension had deteriorated - probably both. My 2006 Sportsmobile seemed to bump on every seam of the highway, and desert/dirt tracks provided a very rough ride at even modest speeds (my passenger teased his ribs were cracked from the ride in the back seat!).

I wanted to share my experience working thru the problem in case anyone else is interested. I met Ramsey of "Agile Offroad" while mountain biking in the desert, and he had some ideas. First, he recommended some custom-valved Fox shocks to replace the original Old Man Emus. Wow, I hadn't realized how poorly the old shocks had been performing. My van no longer wallows around turns, and now it rides across pavement transitions more smoothly. Next, Ramsey did some modifications to the rear springs that eliminated the back end bounce. Our rig has been transformed by this process! It is much less harsh, and I wish I'd done this years ago.

The front end is still a bit firm, and I can see the leaf springs look pretty flattened - maybe too worn out and/or overloaded? Ramsey has some ideas about that too for the future - I'll keep you posted.

Happy to answer any questions (or accept any advice for the future),
-JR
My Van: 2006 E350 - RB50 gas V10 with Sportsmobile's 4WD installed (on 33" E-rated BFGs)

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Old 07-09-2014, 04:38 PM   #2
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Re: Rejuvenating Sportsmobile 4WD suspension

Great news. We know what he can do with the Quigleys. I'm glad to see there are some solutions for the SMB setup as well. It's mentioned on his RIP thread here too.

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Old 07-09-2014, 06:05 PM   #3
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Re: Rejuvenating Sportsmobile 4WD suspension

Quote:
I can see the leaf springs look pretty flattened - maybe too worn out and/or overloaded?
They started out pretty flat, typical for a spring over axle configuration. Any ideas Ramsey?
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Old 07-09-2014, 09:30 PM   #4
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Re: Rejuvenating Sportsmobile 4WD suspension

Also keep an eye on the ball joints and tie rod ends, should be a normal check with a front end alignment. Mine were all shot at 65K miles but I did have plenty of washboard and desert roads in that mileage.
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Old 07-09-2014, 10:04 PM   #5
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Re: Rejuvenating Sportsmobile 4WD suspension

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Originally Posted by PatO
Also keep an eye on the ball joints and tie rod ends, should be a normal check with a front end alignment. Mine were all shot at 65K miles but I did have plenty of washboard and desert roads in that mileage.
Thanks, I had to replace the ball joints at <30k miles because they had so much play in them already. Had the ProSteer ball joint installed (not cheap). -JR (now at 50k miles)
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Old 07-13-2014, 01:17 AM   #6
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Re: Rejuvenating Sportsmobile 4WD suspension

Quote:
Originally Posted by jrtozer
Quote:
Originally Posted by PatO
Also keep an eye on the ball joints and tie rod ends, should be a normal check with a front end alignment. Mine were all shot at 65K miles but I did have plenty of washboard and desert roads in that mileage.
Thanks, I had to replace the ball joints at <30k miles because they had so much play in them already. Had the ProSteer ball joint installed (not cheap). -JR (now at 50k miles)
My wife and I recently purchased an 05 SMB 4x4 w/ 35k mi that had been sitting in a garage for a few years. It rode like crap.
I spoke with Ramsay too. His ideas are great but he did not have a front end solution for a leaf spring front end.
Deaver has been working on a solution for a number of years...springs, shocks and a new panhard bar.
I sprung for it despite some of Ramsay's cost concerns.
I am very happy with the result, more importantly so is my wife.
Then went a step further for a big brake kit and 285/75's x 17, new ball joint and a fox steering stabilizer.
We are super happy now..she rolls like a caddy without the body roll.
But as I have fox shocks on my Toyota Tacoma I wonder if this last step will be perfection...Ramsay?
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