The Foundation of a Smooth Ride
If you've ever driven a fully built-out Sprinter van and thought, "This thing handles like a boat in a storm," you're not alone. Stock Sprinter suspensions are designed for an empty cargo van, not a fully loaded adventure rig. Once you add thousands of pounds of water, cabinetry, batteries, bikes, and gear, your suspension needs a serious upgrade.
That’s where we come in. After building 750+ suspensions for vans and trucks, we're considered experts in the field.
At Wolf Pack Overland, we specialize in custom suspension solutions that turn your Sprinter into a smooth, stable, and adventure-ready machine. Whether you're tackling rough terrain, winding mountain roads, or just looking for a more comfortable highway ride, our expert-built suspension packages deliver unmatched control, comfort, and durability.
What’s a RIP Kit Anyway?
If you've looked into Sprinter suspension upgrades, you’ve probably heard of Agile Offroad’s RIP (Ride Improvement Package) Kit. But why get a full kit instead of buying parts individually?
A suspension system works as a whole, and mixing random components can lead to an unbalanced ride. The RIP Kit is engineered to work together—offering a tuned combination of leaf springs, shocks, coilovers, and hardware that ensures better handling, stability, and comfort.
What Does Each Piece of a Suspension Do?
- Leaf Springs – Support rear weight, reduce sag, and improve load handling.
- Shocks – Absorb bumps and control body movement for a smoother ride.
- Coilovers – Adjust ride height and damping, improving front suspension response.
- Sway Bars – Reduce body roll and increase high-speed stability.
- Steering Stabilizers – Improve steering control and reduce wobble.
- Double Sheer Brackets – Reinforce mounting points for off-road durability.
Each component plays a role in how your Sprinter rides. A complete suspension setup ensures everything works together for optimal performance.
Let’s break down each step of how we build the perfect Sprinter suspension setup.
Step 1: Upgrading the Leaf Springs
Sprinters come stock with two leaf springs, which are designed for an empty cargo van. But after a van is built out with water tanks, cabinetry, batteries, e-bikes, tools, and gear, it’s carrying an additional 2,000 to 4,000 lbs. That’s a lot of weight to put on stock springs.
At a bare minimum, your leaf springs need to be upgraded. All leaf springs cost roughly the same, so the most important part is making sure we’re selecting the right leaf spring for your specific build.
Weighing Your Van
To ensure we install the correct leaf springs, we ask that you weigh your rear axle. This is a simple but crucial step to ensure optimal ride quality.
- Find a Truck Stop with a CAT Scale – These are easy to locate, usually just off major highways.
- Ask to Weigh Your Van – Simply tell the cashier you'd like to weigh your van, and they’ll guide you through the process.
- Record Your Rear Axle Weight – This usually costs around $10 but ensures we install the right suspension setup for your build.
Lighter builds, such as Storyteller vans, require a different spring setup than heavier builds like Winnebago vans. DIY builds vary significantly, so an accurate weight measurement helps us fine-tune your suspension for the best ride.
Step 2: Upgrading the Front Suspension
Once the rear leaf springs are addressed, we turn our attention to the front suspension. The front of the van also bears additional weight from upgrades such as bumpers, winches, roof racks, and extra lighting. A proper coilover system improves ride quality, handling, and off-road performance.
We typically recommend coilover strut upgrades to improve front suspension performance. Options like Agile Offroad’s Coilover System or Bilstein Coilover Struts add increased damping and adjustability for a smoother ride on and off the road.
Step 3: Choosing the Right Shocks
Factory shocks are not designed for the extra weight of a built-out adventure van. Upgrading to Fox or Bilstein shocks provides better control, reduced body roll, and enhanced damping.
- Fox 2.0 Shocks – A great upgrade for improved handling and ride comfort.
- Fox 2.5 or King Reservoir Shocks – For heavy builds or aggressive off-road use, these provide enhanced heat dissipation and durability.
How It Feels After an Upgrade
Before upgrading, many Sprinter owners experience excessive body roll, harsh bumps, and an unstable ride. With the right suspension setup, your van feels planted and controlled, crosswinds are no longer an issue, and rough terrain becomes more manageable. On highways, you’ll notice a smoother, more predictable drive with significantly less driver fatigue.
Step 4: Adding Sway Bars for Stability
A high-roof Sprinter carries a lot of weight up top, which can cause excessive body roll on winding roads or in crosswinds. An adjustable front sway bar can significantly improve stability, reducing the feeling of being tossed around in the van.
Step 5: Fine-Tuning with Additional Upgrades
Depending on your driving style and terrain, we may also recommend:
- Steering Stabilizers – Reduce wobble and improve control.
- Double Sheer Brackets – Doubles the strength of the rear mounting shock bolts and reinforces mounting points for increased durability.
- Wheel Speed Sensor Guards – Protect your sensors from trail debris.
Components of a Suspension
To help you understand the differences between suspension upgrades, we’ve compiled a detailed comparison table breaking down each component and its benefits across different upgrade tiers:
| Component | Benefits of Each Component | Stock | Basic Upgrade | Mid-Tier | Upper Mid-Tier | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf Springs | Increased load capacity, improved ride quality | Factory Leaf Springs | Upgraded Leaf Springs | Agile Custom Rate Rear Leaf Springs | Custom Leaf Springs w/ Increased Load Support | Custom Leaf Pack w/ Adjustable Load |
| Front Shock | Reduced body roll, better dampening on rough roads. Reservoir shocks dissipate heat better and extend the life of the shock. | Factory Shock | Bilstein 4600 / Koni Heavy Track | Agile Tuned Fox 2.0 Shock | Fox 2.0 Reservoir or King 2.0 | Fox 2.5 Reservoir or King 2.5 |
| Front Strut | Improves handling and stability. Coilovers provide adjustable ride height and damping for better control on and off-road. | Factory Strut | Coilover for Stock Struts | Agile Coilover Upgrade | Bilstein Coilover Strut or Agile Fox 2.0 | Bilstein Coilover Strut or Fox 2.5 |
| Coil Overs | Enhanced off-road capability, reduced bottoming out | None | Basic Coilover Kit | Agile Coilover Kit | Upgraded Coilover Kit (Bilstein/Fox 2.0) | Bilstein/Fox 2.5 Coilover Kit |
| Sway Bar | Reduces body roll, improves handling and stability, especially on high-roof and heavily loaded vans. | Factory Sway Bar | Factory Sway Bar | Factory Sway Bar | Adjustable Front Sway Bar | Adjustable Front Sway Bar |
Step 6: Getting an Alignment
After your new suspension is installed, a proper alignment is critical to ensure even tire wear and optimal handling. We know how difficult it can be to find a shop that can accommodate a high-roof Sprinter, so we’ve partnered with alignment specialists that have the right equipment and space for large adventure vans. Unlike other shops that leave you to figure it out on your own, we take care of the alignment for you so you can drive away knowing your van is dialed in.
Step 7: The 500-Mile Test & Custom Adjustments
Your new suspension is custom-tailored to your van, but the real test comes from driving it. That’s why we send every customer on a 500-mile test loop that includes a variety of terrain—sand, snow, gravel, mountains, rocks, and city potholes.
Once you complete the trip, bring your van back, and we’ll go over your feedback. Too firm? Too soft? Hearing a clunk? We fine-tune your suspension until it’s perfect for the way YOU drive. This way, you’ll never have to touch it again—it’s a custom suspension built for your comfort and performance.
The Suspension Upgrade You’ve Been Looking For
If you want a Sprinter that drives like a luxury off-road machine, your suspension needs to be built for your exact van and driving style.
We don’t just install parts, we engineer a ride experience tailored to you.
From weighing your van to fine-tuning your ride after a 500-mile test drive, we make sure you never have to think about your suspension again. It just works. Everywhere.
Our attention to detail, precision tuning, and high-end craftsmanship ensure that every van we upgrade delivers the best ride quality possible.
Ready to drive the best-handling Sprinter of your life?
- Shop our Custom Suspensions - Learn about the various options for your vehicle, differences, pros/cons, pricing, etc. Click to shop Revel, Storyteller, Ekko, or all Sprinter suspensions.
- Book a Free Suspension Consultation – Let us assess your van’s weight and driving needs.
- Schedule Your Install – Our expert team will get you in and out quickly with a precision install.
- Enjoy the Ride – Take your newly upgraded Sprinter on the road and feel the difference immediately!
Keep learning! Here's a guide to the suspension upgrades to prioritize.
