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10-24-2009, 11:57 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 25
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New SMB ride quality
I was wondering how you guys with newer 4x4 SMB find on-road ride quality? I was in a 2001(?) SMB 4x4 and found the ride pretty rough on road. Any sign of improvement in the latest 4x4 conversion? Thanks
Don
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10-24-2009, 07:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Carmel Valley, CA
Posts: 634
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Re: New SMB ride quality
I have an '08 with the OME springs and shocks and don't have any complaints with the ride.
Keep in mind that you're driving a 10,000+ lb., 1- Ton TRUCK, and probably shouldn't expect it to ride like a Bentley.
Bill
I also have an old ('84) Ford 3/4 ton diesel pickup, and the ride of the van is orders of magnitude better than the truck.
__________________
2008 RB 50 Pueblo gold, Diesel, 4X4, Aluminess
NO2B
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10-26-2009, 07:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, Ca
Posts: 985
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Re: New SMB ride quality
We test drove an 06 and an 07 during our hunt for an SMB, IMHO the 08 feels better. Don't know if the new springs are the difference or not. When I was driving the Pre 06 on rougher roads, it felt like the whole interior is going to cave in. We took the same road on our 08 and it wasn't so bad. Rides like a F250 truck if your looking for an analogy.
__________________
???
"I do, cellularSTEVE" :o)
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10-26-2009, 08:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 785
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Re: New SMB ride quality
I recently had SMB 'upgrade' my van with the heavy duth OME springs and shocks that they started offering standard on the 08 model year vans.
The ride is much improved versus my 06 stock setup.
R
__________________
2006 SMB 4x4, EB-51, 6.0psd
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11-02-2009, 11:50 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
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Re: New SMB ride quality
Rob, what did that cost you and did you gain any height? Thanks.
DaveB
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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11-02-2009, 12:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 785
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Re: New SMB ride quality
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
Rob, what did that cost you and did you gain any height? Thanks.
DaveB
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Dave,
Ballpark it was about $2,500 for the new springs and shocks.
I think I gained an inch or so in height, but not sure exactly. Not a meaningful change.
The van rides more smoothly on the highway and I'm looking forward to a real off-road test in the near future.
Thanks
R
__________________
2006 SMB 4x4, EB-51, 6.0psd
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11-11-2009, 06:44 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
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Re: New SMB ride quality
Great, I'll be looking forward to your post myself. I actually wanted SMB to install Deaver spring packs but got a bit of resistance on that. I don't see the difference. Just curious, did you ask them about installing Deavers rather than stock Ford springs? I wonder even if Deaver would sell them to SMB? Because Fresno is so close it would be beneficial for me rather than going down south.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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11-12-2009, 06:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,837
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Re: New SMB ride quality
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
Great, I'll be looking forward to your post myself. I actually wanted SMB to install Deaver spring packs but got a bit of resistance on that. I don't see the difference. Just curious, did you ask them about installing Deavers rather than stock Ford springs? I wonder even if Deaver would sell them to SMB? Because Fresno is so close it would be beneficial for me rather than going down south.
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Dave
i am going to deaver next week
let me know what you are looking for and i will get a price range
Also, i am going to hit them up for some sort of "group buy"
we will see
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11-12-2009, 08:38 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Switzerland soon back to Oregon
Posts: 733
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Re: New SMB ride quality
Dave,
When I went by SMB, I asked if they would mount on a new van other springs than the OME. They mentionned that they could work with Deaver to build custom springs and install them instead of the OME. Might also be possible for an upgrade.
Andrew
__________________
2009 E350 window RB 6.0 PSD Quadvan 4x4 with EB pop top
2003 E350 ambulance 7.3 PSD Quigley
2007 Jeep JK for local offroad
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11-12-2009, 08:54 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 25
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Re: New SMB ride quality
The problem with doing it at initial construction is uncertainty about the final weight and distribution, I think. I'm surprised people have completely re-done their springs without trying replacing a spring or two. Overload springs don't make a lot of sense, IMO. The "normal" weight of an RV is loaded. Overload springs are for, say, a pickup that is driven both empty and full.
Any decent spring shop should be able to get a loaded SMB riding properly. If deaver makes a big difference it's because the van was either significantly too light or too heavy.
Anyone consider air suspension seating?
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