Van Compass Stage 4.3 Suspension System – Sprinter 4×4
Out of stock
Van Compass Stage 4.3 Suspension System – Sprinter 4×4
$3,415.47
Out of stock
Stance-y Pants
Visually, you might not notice it, or you take care to avoid noticing it — a saggy rear end on your adventure van. But, the difference is stark when you park a Stage 4.3 equipped van next to a stocker. A Sprinter with the 4.3 kit stands proud ready to go, a stock Sprinter sits lowly and frumpy. Whether it’s an adventure van from an independent builder or one of the many Class B 4×4 vans offered by RV manufacturers, if the Sprinter van suspension is unmodified it’s sitting lower than ideal, and it only gets worse as the miles and gear carried stack up.
This kit, however, is much more then a superficial improvement, we’re not that shallow… are we?
Driving Dynamics
Getting the van to sit correctly is a byproduct of the main goal of this kit — stopping poor on-road manners, and enhancing the off-road aptitude of the 4×4 Sprinter chassis is its main goal. It’s not uncommon knowledge that the Sprinter is narrow and tall compared to three-quarter ton trucks that populate our roads. It is, after all, a global product for crowded European roads. Unfortunately that design constraint, while great for navigating a natural grocery co-op’s crowded parking lot, it causes the Sprinter to act as a giant wandering sail on the highway.
To reduce the fatiguing sway and wander, Van Compass teamed up with Falcon Shocks and developed an adjustable piggyback shock specifically for the 4×4 Sprinter Van — with ease-of-adjustment a paramount feature. The noticeable change to handling lets you quickly forget the cargo-van roots and might even stir up memories of that old German sport coupe sadly sold when Jr. joined the family. However, if you tune a suspension for on-road performance, it inversely affects the off-road capability. This isn’t a pavement princess, right?
This is the beauty of the Van Compass 4.3 Suspension Kit. There are three settings to select from, and in less than 60 seconds you can change your van’s handling characteristic from highway hauler to SUV, off-road comfort by simply turning a large easy-to-reach dial mounted on the shocks piggyback reservoir. With this adaptability, your van will have better driving characteristics for specific conditions. No more compromises.
Finally, Van Compass addressed another glaring issue with the stock suspension — bottom out. The stock bump stops are cute. They’re basic rubber nubs, good for plumbers that occupy the left-hand lane lumbering to job sites in a overloaded van. Not good for a 4×4 adventure van destine for cross-country travel and off-road challenges. The Van Compass 4.3 Suspension kit adds SumoSprings that keep things composed when pushing the limits of your Adventure Van’s suspension. What was an abrupt, harsh event is now controlled and composed.
SumoSpring vs Stock Sprinter Bump Stop
All these improvements result in a van that’s more enjoyable to drive in any road condition you’re bound to encounter. There’s a reason why we’ve installed over a hundred Van Compass Suspension kits here in Salt Lake City, Utah — the benefits are immediately noticeable, and enhance the long-term experience of Adventure van owners. See what an actual user has to say.
Further Adjustment: SP2 Mode
Instead of covering the large spread from loaded to unloaded like Mercedes-Benz did with the stock Sprinter van, Van Compass’s Mini Leaf Spring Pack place the vans spring rate where it should be for a built-out van. After all, your van will probably never be without it’s interior in your life time — why use springs intended for a cargo van that gets loaded and un-loaded? With the Mini Pack, you’ll gain back lost suspension travel and ride height.
The Mini Leaf Spring pack dials the springs capacity to the 8500lb range — right where a laden Revel or Camper conversion will fall. The pack can be adjusted to favor a heavier or lighter build; sub-8500 or 8500lbs+. The Springs are not designed to provide a lift, but it does restore ride height to the original range.
——Mini Pack Image——-
The front Transverse leaf spring on Sprinter Vans is great for efficient packaging, but makes upgrading for weight increases a bit difficult. Rather than additional coils like some suspension kits add, The Van Compass 4.3 Kit relies on SumoSprings that replace the stock, pinner bump stops. SumoSprings are not made from rubber. They are micro-cellular ureathan design that’s larger then stock, and engages sooner providing more progessive assistance to full compression scenarios. Take a look at SumoSprings in action:
This is a progressive spring with a very soft initial engagement. That means that as more is weight added or more compression force is experienced (think frost heaves or bottoming out in a drainage ditch), the harder they get and more they push back — providing support and control when you need it. The SumoSprings reduce sag, decrease vibration, stabilize sway, and soften harsh rebounds. This is achieved by the tuned nature of the micro-cellular structure. Like the Mini leaf Spring pack, the SumoSprings help restore ride height, but unlike the rear mini pack, they help control the motion of the suspension.
See a Sumo Birth:
Installation takes all day, we charge $1,472.50 for the install without tax. The front shock installation guide is 18 pages long; the rear shocks, 6 pages; and the min pack is 10 pages.
We keep this kit in stock in Salt Lake City, Utah. Installation takes a full day. Contact us now to transform you Sprinter Van’s character.
We do recommend adding the Baja Bracket if you expect to encounter lots of washboard situations.
Front Shock Installation Instructions
Rear Shock Installation Instructions
