Top 5 Sprinter Van Suspension Upgrades

Every Sprinter adventure van owner has found themselves wondering, “Can my suspension handle this?” Stock suspension wasn’t built to support an entire interior build on top of exterior gear. While the suspension that came with your vehicle might not be at a breaking point, it’s far from ideal.

A Sprinter van suspension upgrade can make a massive difference in how your van operates on and off-road. It will also give you peace of mind that you’re not putting your van through extremes it’s not built to handle. Here, we’ll go over the top five suspension upgrades you can make, starting with shocks, springs, lift kits, sway bars, and leaf spring packs.

What Does Sprinter Van Suspension Do?

The suspension system is responsible for keeping your ride smooth and safe. Maintaining your suspension and considering upgrades is especially important for adventure van owners. You’re putting your vehicle under an immense amount of stress, even when just driving down the highway. Higher-quality suspension ensures you don’t feel all the extra weight you’ve added to your rig.

Absorbs Bumps and Shocks

You probably didn’t buy a Sprinter to bounce from one full-hookup RV park to another. Going off the beaten path is what it’s all about, but that can come with some rough roads. Your suspension helps absorb the bumps you’ll encounter on dirt and gravel roads. This keeps the ride comfortable and prevents components from coming loose under the vehicle.

Keeps Your Tires Touching the Road

Without suspension, the slightest bump in the road would make your tires airborne. This is a huge safety hazard, for obvious reasons. With a top-heavy vehicle like a Sprinter van, even a small loss of traction could cause the van to tip.

Maintains Stable Driving and Handling

A fully loaded van can feel quite top-heavy. The suspension keeps everything tight and aligned, allowing you to maintain normal highway speeds and tackle rutted-out roads, even with a full build-out.

Supports the Weight of the Vehicle

Load-bearing is one of the primary purposes of suspension. Without it, the entire body would sag down to the tires. Stock suspension might be enough for a Sprinter filled with delivery boxes, but it’s not designed to handle thousands of pounds of additional gear.

Keeps the Ride Comfortable

Beyond the technical functions, suspension simply makes your van more enjoyable to drive. No one wants to be tossed around every time they hit a small bump in the road.

Signs Your Sprinter Suspension Needs an Upgrade

It can be challenging to know when your Sprinter needs an upgrade and which parts to focus on. Every suspension component serves a slightly different purpose, so you don’t want to throw money at parts that won’t change much.

When in doubt, start with the most affordable, easiest-to-install upgrade—such as an upgraded leaf spring pack or bump stops. If you’re still having trouble, you might need to consider a more comprehensive solution, like a complete suspension kit.

Here are a few signs that your suspension needs to be upgraded—and which parts can help:

• Rear Sag: Does your Sprinter’s rear end sit lower than the front? It’s time for heavy-duty leaf springs. Sprinter van air suspension can also help.

• Body Roll: If the van sways when cornering or changing lanes, consider upgrading to a new sway bar.

• Feeling Every Bump: Your van should absorb bumps and potholes smoothly. If you hear clunking or harsh impacts, new shocks or struts could help.

• Instability When Off-Roading: Off-roading is demanding and can expose weak points in your suspension. A complete suspension system is typically recommended for this kind of use.

Best Sprinter Van Suspension Upgrades

1. Sprinter Van Springs

Springs act as a cushion, keeping your van’s body stable when hitting potholes, ditches, and other bumps. The front of your van uses coil springs, while the rear relies on leaf springs.

2. Sprinter Van Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts work hand-in-hand with the springs to absorb impacts. They control how much the springs move. Without them, your van would bounce endlessly. Shocks and struts provide damping to the springs and add structural support.

3. Sprinter Van Suspension Lifts

Suspension lifts add height to your entire vehicle by lifting the frame and body together. This is done by upgrading components like shocks, struts, and control arms with larger versions that increase the distance to the axle. A lifted sprinter van provides more ground clearance and allows you to install larger tires.

It’s important to choose a lift kit from a trusted manufacturer so that ride quality isn’t compromised. Make sure the kit is designed specifically for your Sprinter and not another adventure van model like a Ford Transit or Ram ProMaster.

4. Sway Bars

A sway bar connects the left and right sides of your suspension, acting as a brace that helps prevent body roll when cornering. A stronger sway bar keeps your van more stable during turns.

For off-road use, consider using a sway bar disconnect. This lets you manually disconnect the bar so that the right and left sides of your suspension can move independently, improving articulation.

5. Sprinter Van Leaf Springs

Leaf springs are installed in the rear suspension and support the van’s weight. As you add more gear like rear door carriers, interior fixtures, and recreation equipment, you’ll want to upgrade them to prevent sagging and to maintain a level stance.

Options include an add-a-leaf, where one section is added to your stock leaf pack, or a complete progressive spring pack for greater load support.

Building a Better Sprinter

Your Sprinter’s suspension is the foundation of your vehicle’s capability. It’s what allows you to push the limits of exploration and go places that normal rigs can’t. Upgrades can dramatically improve your stock suspension and ensure your van is equipped to handle the extra weight you’ve added.

From shocks and struts to springs, sway bars, and leaf packs, there are countless ways to improve your rig. Don’t wait until your suspension starts screaming for help before you make a change. Browse Owl’s complete Sprinter van suspension accessories today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can a Sprinter van’s suspension safely handle?

The exact weight depends on your model. 1500, 2500, and 3500 Sprinters range from roughly 8,500 to 12,000 lbs GVWR. If your build or gear pushes near that limit, upgrading the suspension helps maintain stability and prevent sagging. It does not, however, increase GVWR.

What’s the best suspension upgrade for off-road Sprinter builds?

Heavy-duty shocks, progressive leaf springs, and a quality suspension lift are the most effective for off-road setups. These upgrades increase ground clearance, improve damping on rough terrain, and keep your van stable over uneven surfaces.

Will upgrading my suspension improve ride comfort or just handling?

It improves both. Upgraded shocks and springs smooth out bumps, while sway bars and struts tighten handling for a more controlled, comfortable ride.

What’s the difference between 1500, 2500, and 3500 Sprinter suspension setups?

The 1500 uses lighter-duty suspension for smaller payloads, while the 2500 and 3500 use stiffer springs and stronger components for heavier loads. The 3500 often includes dual rear wheels for added stability and load support.

Can I install suspension upgrades myself, or should they be professionally installed?

Basic upgrades like helper springs or bolt-on shocks can be DIY-friendly with the right tools. For lift kits, full Sprinter van suspension kits, or alignment-critical parts, professional installation is recommended.