Post-Covid Suspension - A summary

[jafarTheVan]

Hello,

I recently bought a 1990 B190 from WA. and drove it all the way to California. The driving in the highway was scary full of "white knuckle moments" and I figured suspension needs some adjustments. I read most of the suspension-related posts on this forum and found them to be very helpful. Here's the summary I have written for myself along with some questions:

1) Keeping from and rear tire pressures 50 and 80 psi. This is easy enough and I will do it.

2) Shocks: Based on reading this forum, looks like people recommend Bilstein HD Shock 33-176857 and 33-187570 for rear and front. I called Bilstein USA and they mentioned that they haven't built those socks for E350 and instead recommended I use 24-184663 and 24-184656 shocks for rear and front. The technician's reasoning was that even though it is an RV and is pretty heavy, I don't necessarily need a heavy duty shock. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Has anybody contacted Bilstein regarding the use of 33-176857 and 33-187570? If you have those shocks on, what has been your experience.

3) Anti-sway bars: It seems that everyone recommends installing Hellwig sway bar 7183 for rear. I am planning to go with this option for the rear. I called Hellwig and their technician mentioned the rear anti-sway bar should be plenty and I don't need front anti-sway bar. If I want to get a anti sway bar, considering that my B190 model is 1990, the only part that fits is Hellwig sway bar 7158 which has been discontinued. PNs 7604 and 7008 would not fit on my vehicle. Do you think it is worth the effort to fish for PN 7158 for front and have that in addition to 7183 for rear?

4) Safe-T-plus steering assist PN 31-140: I have already ordered this and am going to have it installed.

5) Roadmaster Active Suspension: I am not sure if/how combining this with safe-T-plus steering assist with help ( Roadmaster Active Suspension)

6) Leaf Spring: I have bought a 30 year old vehicle and some people argue that I should change the leaf springs. Other people say I should get a leaf spring helper and that should be enough help.

7) Air bag: I decided not to bother with installing air bag after reading this post

I would appreciate your thoughts especially on shocks, front anti-sway bar and leaf spring. Thanks.

[skater]

I think there are a lot of good ways to make it better, but my thought is that it makes sense to me to not build on old parts. For example, the leaf springs are now 30 years old. They're tired. Sure you can add another leaf or whatever, but I bet new leaf springs will make a huge difference in handling, too. Of course, if you're going to upgrade something, it doesn't make sense to spend money on new stock parts first.

[lido14co]

The Bilstein shocks should be the 33s. The 24s are for a regular e350 van not our monsters. The 7183 sway bar supposedly fits 1989-2014 models so that should work. I believe the front sway bar is an upgrade from the existing one. Haven’t done any other upgrades but those two things made my 92 practically drive like a car.

[con5]

@li

The Bilstein shocks should be the 33s. The 24s are for a regular e350 van not our monsters. The 7183 sway bar supposedly fits 1989-2014 models so that should work. I believe the front sway bar is an upgrade from the existing one. Haven’t done any other upgrades but those two things made my 92 practically drive like a car.

Which two upgrades did you do?

So can someone please rank these upgrades for best bang for the buck?

[con5]

I dug around a little and it seems.:

1. Rear sway bar
2. New Shocks
3. Front Sway Bar

[jafarTheVan]

The Bilstein shocks should be the 33s. The 24s are for a regular e350 van not our monsters. The 7183 sway bar supposedly fits 1989-2014 models so that should work. I believe the front sway bar is an upgrade from the existing one. Haven’t done any other upgrades but those two things made my 92 practically drive like a car.

The 33s and the 24s are both heavy duty shocks. The 33s are suitable for B190 the were built 1992 and later and the 24s should be used on 1991 and older B190. Since my B190 is 1990, I went with the 24s and I am happy with them. Links below:

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/bilstein ... -motorhome

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/bilstein ... -motorhome

[jafarTheVan]

I did the following A) Bilstein shocks B) Rear sway bar C) safe-t-plus steering stabilizer and it had a huge difference. Especially, safe-t-plus steering stabilizer made the handling a lot easier in high wind.

I dug around a little and it seems.:

1. Rear sway bar
2. New Shocks
3. Front Sway Bar