Stiffer suspension, less wallow...

[Drumster]

Howdy. I've had my L400 a couple of months now and I love it! It's a lot of fun to drive and yes, the Deli grin is alive and well. Now, as I get more attuned to it I'm also zeroing in on a number of things I'd like to modify/upgrade.

As is, "Yoda" is exactly the right height for accessing my underground parking; I wouldn't want it to be any higher or lower than it already is. What I would like is to stiffen up the suspension without changing the height. In stock form, the vehicle tends to dive very noticeably when braking and wallows like a boat when cornering. I realize that to some degree this is just the nature of the beast and to be expected if no mods are done from such a tall, heavy and narrow van. After all, this is no Honda "Fit".

Have any of you made mods to the stock shocks/suspension that you'd like to share with the class? Also, I've heard there's a shop in Richmond near No. 5 Rd & Bridgeport where they do good suspension mods on Delis. Can anyone provide contact details?

Cheers!

[Green1]

when were the shocks last changed? if they're 15 years old, they're due! This could simply be a matter of worn out shocks, and be more of a maintenance thing than a modification. this can dramatically change the ride of any vehicle, without affecting your height.
One other quick question... does your L400 have the ECS? (Electronically controlled suspension) (if so you should have an "ECS" button on the dash) if you have this option, then try setting it to "sport" mode for a stiffer ride.

[Drumster]

Hi G1. I hadn't considered that. Don't know if/when they were changed. Just assumed that with 54K they couldn't be too badly off but I'm taking it into the shop very soon so I'll have them check out the suspension. With nothing to compare to I don't really have a clue. That might actually be good news if all I need is new stock components.
Yes, I do have ESC and set on "Sport" it does improve very slightly. Pretty negligible difference though, honestly and not enough to improve the diving/wallowing.

[Green1]

my best guess is worn out suspension, replacements will probably do you good. (though you will likely loose the ECS option as it seems pretty difficult to get replacement ECS shocks)

[jessef]

If the torsion bars are sagging, then you may consider replacing them with a fresh set of stock OEM one's.

Stiffer shocks will help but it's the tbars and rear coil springs that affect the roll/pitch.

Shocks with solenoids (ecs) are very expensive. I looked into it and they were roughly +$220 per shock

[Drumster]

Hmm, $220. each just for the shocks? That could hurt. Actually, I can't see much point in the ESC for what I do and intend on doing; mostly noodleing around the countryside on camping trips etc. I used to do that with Ford Econolines and had no complaints so I'm not the sort who demands anything too sophisticated in that regard.
I'll go ahead and have bars, springs and shocks checked out & see what's recommended.
Cheers!

If the torsion bars are sagging, then you may consider replacing them with a fresh set of stock OEM one's.

Stiffer shocks will help but it's the tbars and rear coil springs that affect the roll/pitch.

Shocks with solenoids (ecs) are very expensive. I looked into it and they were roughly +$220 per shock