B190 Enthusiasts

Just now I removed my overly large and close to the differential and ground, fresh and gray water tanks. I'm figuring out where the holes go and I will order them from Plastic Mart.com soon.

Given that I now know that I will be able to fit the Hellwig stabilizer bar without hitting the fresh water tank, I just ordered that also!

I'm deep into working on a solar system that I can afford also.

I'm deep into working on a solar system that I can afford also.[/quote]
Def want to hear more about this as it will be on the Fall project list. My whole 12v system is a mystery so would like to start fresh and add a solar array

IMHO I have modest needs, a few "always on" USB plugs, I want to be able to charge my computer, I want the stereo to be "always on" and I might want to use my blender for a few minutes every day.
So far the bid for two panels, new batteries and all the wiring, labor and such, is $5600. It'll be a buffed out system but dang!

Installed mine last night!

It was pretty much easy peasy. I had to buy a 1/2" bit that fit into my 3/8" drill but that was money well spent.

I've put off the solar for next year, btw.

Just picked up my 93 from my local mechanic who installed my rear sway bar-- $134 install and replace power steering belt.-- marked difference. I put in all new bilstein shocks last year-- which also make a big improvement. Can finally say I can live with it now, might still look into a bit more front end looseness than I would like, but the bilstein shocks and the rear sway bar have made a world of difference.

lido14co wrote:Great post. Do you think it's worth $200 for the better ride? I put Bilstein shocks on last year and they made a huge difference. Thanks.

Which Bilstein shocks did you put on? I want to put them on mine but can't decide which ones. Thanks, JB

Model numbers for the Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks are 33-176857 for the rear and 33-187570 for the fronts. That' sweat I put on mine and they're still performing well along with the sway bar. Thinking of upgrading the front sway bar down the line to help with drift.


Cliff

Guess I should review my posts and edit!


Cliff

I just finished putting the rear stabilizer bars on my 1996 b190. Be very careful when enlarging the holes to attach the rear bar. One of the holes points towards the fuel tank. If your drill bit plunges too far through that hole, you could hit the tank!

My installation was way harder than it should have been because we broke a rusty hydraulic brake line while trying to install the U-bolts. The original brake line didn't allow room for the U-bolts. The line was very rusted at the clip that holds it on top of the differential, and that's where it broke. The rear wheels have the brake line ports and the bleed valves in the most inconvenient possible positions, and they were fused with rust; very difficult to turn. I had to destroy one bleed valve and replace it to get the brakes working again.

The ride is definitely improved. Bare in mind that the B190 will always be like a full size van with a fiberglass boat glued to its roof. It's still a very top-heavy vehicle and its difficult (or impossible) to make it handle like a lighter vehicle. That being said, I can now drive over bumps and curb cuts at an angle without fearing I'll roll the van on it's side! So far I've done the rear bar and the front shocks only; next comes the front bar.

Congrats. Haven't updated the front bar yet. Let us know if you get any improvement.


Cliff

Will we have to remove the real wheels to install the rear stablizer ? Thanks

No, not at all.

Thanks for the post! I'm new to the site and this is exactly why I wanted to join. Our B is exactly what we were looking for minus the feeling of death once we hit 55. If a Semi passes us, it's like being on a small boat on the ocean. The PO told us he had new bushings and sway bar put on, but I'm yet to see a rear sway on it. We use our B to pull our small(8x5) enclosed motocross trailer to and from races as well as camp whenever we can. New tires, a very close look at the suspension and a rear anti-sway bar are in the near future.

Newkirk407 wrote:Thanks for the post! I'm new to the site and this is exactly why I wanted to join. Our B is exactly what we were looking for minus the feeling of death once we hit 55. If a Semi passes us, it's like being on a small boat on the ocean. The PO told us he had new bushings and sway bar put on, but I'm yet to see a rear sway on it. We use our B to pull our small(8x5) enclosed motocross trailer to and from races as well as camp whenever we can. New tires, a very close look at the suspension and a rear anti-sway bar are in the near future.

Rear stabilizer bar, new heavy duty shocks and exact tire pressure front and rear will keep you steady!

Newkirk407 wrote:Thanks for the post! I'm new to the site and this is exactly why I wanted to join. Our B is exactly what we were looking for minus the feeling of death once we hit 55. If a Semi passes us, it's like being on a small boat on the ocean. The PO told us he had new bushings and sway bar put on, but I'm yet to see a rear sway on it. We use our B to pull our small(8x5) enclosed motocross trailer to and from races as well as camp whenever we can. New tires, a very close look at the suspension and a rear anti-sway bar are in the near future.

I'd add to what Tucsonan said - make sure the steering box is tight. Loose steering will send you all over the road! (I don't know anything about doing this - my shop adjusted it for me, and the difference was definitely noticeable.)