Double Leaf Spring Upgrade - Fiat Ducato

So having fitted Sumo springs to the rear of my Fiat Ducato, video linked here: • How to Upgrade to Sumo... I’ve decided to upgrade to double rear leaf springs so this will allow more suspension travel and in my opinion this will work well in combination with the Sumo Springs. There is a clip at the end of the video that shows them working well together. The double leaf springs has increased the ride height and the van doesn’t drive as if it’s overloaded so a good upgrade I believe. Only the front to get sorted now 😂

[@aerialinsights]

There's something oddly satisfying about watching suspension in motion.

[@nickharper6436]

Cool, glad you enjoyed the video !

[@dockerandy]

Hi, apparently, those bump stops are actually spring assistors and as such are supposed to be in contact with the top of the spring. ( i did the same job on my citroen camper but fitted triple leaf springs. It was over kill to be honest but it looks like the van is empty ! However i have found that the front needs raising as well now as the rear sits so high ! I also fitted new bump stops and shocks as they came as a kit. £350 from midland springs in case anyone is interested. 👍👍

[@nickharper6436]

Thanks for the comments and yes I think they are assisters as you say. I put SUMOs on the front to. It has made a difference to the ride but only a slight increase in height to counteract my double leaf springs

[@ElliotMelloy]

7:03 the auto door locks still get me every time I pull away :) Sitting in my van watching this and it made me jump.

[@nickharper6436]

Ha ha yes they do Elliot. Thanks for the comments and happy 🚐 ing!

[@johncampbell4498]

Great video, very helpful. just a trivial ask, Q. which and how did you mount the camera for watching the spring movement while driving? - is it a gopro? which model? very clear to watch. - and what is your next upgrade? rear shocks or the Front end? -i guess that is a whole aother question - what about the front end?! - thanks for posting the great video.

[@nickharper6436]

Hi John thanks for the comments. Is the little cube GoPro and I used a fly mount to mount it to the underneath. Regarding the front I’ve put Sumo spring assisters on. Eventually I’ll change the shocks but for now I’m satisfied with the ride!

[@chrisforbes2124]

Hi great video. It looks like one of the nuts on the end of the leaf spring hasn't been tightened. Defo worth a look over

[@nickharper6436]

Chris you are right. It has now come of so will go and get another. Many thanks for the observation it’s appreciated 👍

[@chrisforbes2124]

@@nickharper6436 not a problem just happened to notice.

[@neilwr7442]

That was a good spot🫡

[@neilwr7442]

Cheers Nick. Thanks for doing video. 👍

[@nickharper6436]

Many thanks for your support Neil 👍

[@firstnamelastname2669]

interesting. I put both spacers on with the sumos and don't believe I've hit the bump stops sice, even with the trailer on. It does, of course, compress the sumos a fair bit. I think they should take that ok, but time will tell.

[@nickharper6436]

Yeh they should be ok as the material seems to be strong

[@eddvanlife7396]

I fitted the Sumo's after doing alot of research on Sumos versus Air Suspension. The ride with just the Sumos is much better and cornering more stable. Nick were you advised to add the heavy duty double leafs or was it your own idea? I weighed my conversion fully laden all fluids including 2 passengers at came in at 3.18 Tonnes. In a Quandary - what was the labour on getting your local garage to fit them?

[@nickharper6436]

No I wasn’t advised but they came up as a relatively cheap option due to being second hand. They cost me £70 to have fitted and have mad a difference to the feel of the van ie not heavily loaded ! The Sumos do work great on their own and as you say do improve cornering etc. That said the single leafs we flat but now with the double it just takes the pressure off the Sumos!

[@sccobyste]

What size wheels and tyres have you got and is it worth it

[@campbellmm]

Great explanatory videos. I am bout to install the sumo springs on the rear. I already have double leaf springs, do you recommend installing the sumo spring with the one spacer or both spacers? Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[@nickharper6436]

Thanks for the comments. Personally I didn’t want the bump stops to be permanently resting on the chassis so I only installed one spacer on mine. I think that way the combination of the leaf springs and SUMO springs work better together.

[@campbellmm]

@@nickharper6436 thanks for that.

[@bennywootton1119]

Hi nick, have you changed anything at the front?

[@nickharper6436]

Hi I fitted Sumo springs to the front as well. Link here to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epTbY4aCn6aob8Usi=CoBZsLOCRPBETxIu

[@regnbean67]

Hi Nick. Another great video. Thanks for posting. Any chance you can send a link to where you got them from? Thanks, Nick (have Subbed)

[@nickharper6436]

Nick thanks for the comments. The ones I got are all sold now but this company that I’ve linked below sell them. There are many others on eBay too. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351864130840?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Lkh6UpSISTa&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=pQNxKc9WTFO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@lynnebarkas6906]

Does this mean that Adria have not designed the suspension to take the load maximum load. I would be a bit disappointed.

[@nickharper6436]

The van as it comes from Adria is within tolerance but they are on the limit in my opinion. What I’ve done just improves the whole ride of the van. It’s not just Adria all campers are the same pretty much Lynne

[@tomxrt2650]

Do you get bigger ground clearance by fitting the double leaf spring ? I’ve got a Fiat Ducato Camper and my towbar often scrapes on the ferry and over humps etc.

[@nickharper6436]

Hi yes it does raise the van about 2 inches so should make a difference and stop the tow bar scraping.

[@tomxrt2650]

@@nickharper6436 Thanks Nick that’s great 👍🏻

[@mickdunn5538]

Hi, by adding the double leaf springs is it a possibility to up-plate the van from the standard 3,500 to the higher weight as is on the maxi ducato from where the springs came ?

[@nickharper6436]

Hi Mick I believe you can although I don’t need to go down that route at the moment as it’s not needed for me personally. I think you can up-plate a 3.5 tonne van anyway to just below 4 tonne and that’s a paperwork exercise with nothing done physically to the van. If you contact a company that specialises in up-platting they will give you the latest gen.

[@mickdunn5538]

@@nickharper6436 hi, cheers for that nick, i will check my local area for a specialist 👍

[@ExpeditionDouglas]

What tyre size are you running? have up-plated?

[@nickharper6436]

Hi I’m on BFG 225/75R16. They are the same size as the originals that came with the van and no I haven’t up plated as I’m happy with 3500kg at the moment but the option is always there!

[@peterdavies2922]

How would you go about upplating - is that a paper exercise or would you need an engineer involved?

[@nickharper6436]

Hi I think you can up-plate to 3.8 tonne as a paper exercise without Sumo and double leaf springs even

[@Bloomy086241]

Hi Nick, did you ever consider having a rear air suspension fitted

[@nickharper6436]

Hi Yes I did but I’m happy with the sumo springs especially with the double leaf springs. It was cost initially that drove my decision!

[@Bloomy086241]

@@nickharper6436 Thank you Nick for your quick reply

[@MaseratiA6GCM250]

Do you know if the shock absorber is the same on the Maxi and do you think its worth upgrading as well?

[@nickharper6436]

They are worth upgrading the shocks but that’s a bigger job as you have to go in behind the dash to get to the top of the struts. It would make an improvement though! Bilstien are supposed to be good.

[@nirwin]

What does your van weigh in total?

[@nickharper6436]

3.5 Tonne

[@anthonyoconnell9389]

Where are you based and do you work from home

[@nickharper6436]

Hi I’m based in Norfolk and only occasionally work from home these days

[@gordonhagan1553]

Why after sumo springs ?

[@nickharper6436]

Gordon the van was still testing on the Sumo’s and as I had the option of a second hand double leaf spring I thought I’d try them. It just raises the van about an inch and gives a bit more clearance and the weight is supported by the two points on the leafs as well as the sumo springs and not totally on them. The ride is a little better but the Sumos made the most noticeable difference.

[@brianedge1868]

Before and after pictures are missing, frustrating!

[@nickharper6436]

Morning Brian sorry the video wasn’t what you expected

[@georgesdesk]

@@nickharper6436 Would have made a better video, been more informative and helpful, which results in better views and likes for your channel, which so far I enjoy 😎

[@nickharper6436]

Thanks for the comments George