Best Shocks for Sprinter Vans: Hit the Trail With Confidence

Owning an adventure van is all about taking your rig down new roads to new sights. With that comes some bumps along the way. Unless you want to feel every single pothole you drive through, it’s important that you take care of your van’s suspension.

Shocks are one of the core parts of a Sprinter suspension system. Their main purpose is to absorb all of the “shocks” you feel while exploring. Unfortunately, OEM Sprinter shocks will not suffice for the type of travel you’ve got on your itinerary. In this article, we’ll cover how shocks work, signs you need to replace them, and what the best shocks for Sprinter vans are. With this information, you can set out on your next off-road journey fully prepared.

What Exactly Do Shocks Do?

The function of shocks is right in the name: they absorb the shocks of the road. Shocks main contribution is keeping your van feeling smooth on all types of road conditions. Without them, you’d feel every single dip and divot in the road, creating a jarring driving experience.

A common misconception is that shocks hold up the vehicle’s suspension. That’s actually the purpose of springs (either coil or leaf style). If you removed the shocks from a vehicle, the body would not sink down to the tires. However, if you removed the springs, it most certainly would.

How Do Shocks Work?

Shocks have a pretty simple construction. They’re comprised of a body, a piston rod and valve, and either hydraulic fluid or compressed gas. 

Here’s how they operate:

1. The body and the piston compress and move up and down with the movement of the vehicle. 

2. As the van hits a dip in the road, the body compresses, pushing the piston rod and valve down into the hydraulic fluid reserve tube. The valve has small holes in it that allow a controlled amount of fluid to enter the pressure tube above.

3. The resistance caused by this movement is what controls the vehicle's bouncing when going over rough terrain.

Signs That Your Sprinter Needs New Shocks

Shock wear can be a slow and gradual process that you might not notice in the beginning. Over time, the problem becomes much more obvious. There are a few key indicators that suggest your Sprinter needs new shocks, such as:

• Bouncy Ride: New and excessive bounciness is a clear sign that your shocks are worn. This happens when hydraulic fluid loses its viscosity and piston flanges wear out, allowing more fluid to move throughout the shock.

• Fluid Leaks: If you have a shock with hydraulic fluid, you might notice drops of fluid underneath. This indicates that seals are wearing out and that a replacement will be required.

• Nose-Diving When Braking: If the front of your van seems to drop when you’re coming to a stop, the shocks might be to blame.

With a fully-loaded adventure van, you may even notice some of these signs with new, factory shocks. This is because the extra weight in the vehicle can cause the pistons to push down with more force, creating a bumpier and rougher ride. High-performance upgrades might be necessary.

Struts vs. Shocks: Main Differences

If you’re confused about the difference between shocks and struts, you’re not alone. Most people use the two interchangeably without really understanding how they differ. 

A strut is a structural suspension component that includes a shock and a spring. In the case of Mercedes Sprinter vans, the factory MacPherson struts are on the front two wheels. They bolt directly to the steering knuckle and unibody frame and rotate when the wheel turns. On OEM Sprinters, the rear wheels have shocks. 

In most vehicles, a wheel has either a strut or a shock, not both. However, upgraded Sprinter van suspension often entails adding a secondary shock and Rally struts to the front wheels to enhance handling.

Best Shocks for Sprinter Conversion Vans: Key Things to Look For

Factory shocks are usually not adequate for a Sprinter when it’s used as an adventure van. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning on going from campground to campground or you’re looking to take your rig off-road; the extra weight of the build can make stock shocks extremely inadequate. By upgrading, you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth, bump-free ride without feeling like your van is being run into the ground.

There are a couple of key features you can look at when shopping for upgraded Sprinter van shocks.

Increased Fluid Levels

One of the main limitations of stock shocks is that they don’t have enough hydraulic fluid in them to handle off-road use and heavy builds. If there is less fluid in a shock, the piston flange can cycle through the fluid during bumps quickly, resulting in more bumpiness. Additional fluid makes it harder for the flange to compress, resulting in more support.

Adjustability

Adjustable shocks are a must for adventure vans. You will likely take your van through a variety of different road conditions, so why would you want one standard shock setting to handle it all? Some of the best aftermarket shocks for Sprinters provide three settings: 

• Soft for off-roading

• Neutral for everyday driving

• Firm for highway travel with wind

Bolt-On Installation

Upgraded shocks should be easy to install. The best shocks for Sprinter vans have bolt-on installations that utilize factory hardware. This makes it easy to remove old shocks and replace them with the upgraded components.

Lift Kit Compatibility

If you’re thinking of creating a lifted Sprinter, it’s important to consider how your shocks will be affected. Factory models will not likely be able to reach the mounting points after the suspension has been raised. Custom-tuned shocks, when combined with a lift kit, can be a perfect match.

Owl’s Recommendation: Falcon Shocks

Overall, the team at Owl has found that Falcon shocks are the best option for Sprinter vans. They check all of the boxes above, ensuring that you get peak performance out of your suspension upgrade.  

The three-setting, Fast Adjust knobs make on-the-trail changes a breeze, and their pairing with our complete suspension systems ensures that there are never any compromises to your suspension geometry.

Individual Shocks vs. Suspension Kits: What’s a Better Upgrade?

When it comes time to upgrade your shocks, you’ll have a few different routes you can take. You can either upgrade just the front and rear shocks or invest in a total suspension system. Shocks alone are substantially cheaper than a complete system, but the capabilities will be reduced. Here’s an overview of when each is best:

• Just New Shocks: Best for lightweight vans that don’t do any serious off-roading. The new shocks can help with bumpiness on washboard roads and highway travel.

• Suspension System with New Shocks: Best for heavy van builds that do a significant amount of off-highway travel. Improves handling all around.

Off-Road Adventure Should Be Smooth

It should be enjoyable to drive your van, even when the road gets rough. If your van is bouncing out of control with every rut in the road, you can make a change with new shocks.

Now that you know the purpose of shocks, how they work, and what to look for when upgrading, you can feel comfortable replacing your Sprinter’s stock components with a premium option that makes off-road travel actually comfortable. Shop all suspension today and reach out to Owl to discuss your improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do upgraded shocks typically last on a Sprinter van?

A general rule of thumb is that shocks last around 50,000 miles. Higher-quality brands like Falcon can last longer, although it depends on how much weight is in your van and how much off-roading you do.

Will new shocks change my van’s ride height?

No, by themselves, new shocks will not raise the height of your van.

How do I know which shock model fits my specific Sprinter (144 vs. 170, 2WD vs. 4x4)?

Carefully review each product title on Owl to determine which model each product is designed for. There are differences between AWD, 2WD, and 4x4 models.

What are secondary shocks, and why do some Sprinters have them?

Some Sprinter owners decide to install secondary shocks in the front of their vans to complement the primary struts. This upgrade will improve overall handling and bump absorption.