Upgrading the Rear Leaf Springs on our Fiat Ducato Campervan

[@MHUK-Matt]

Hi John, Nice job well done. Great explanation! I particularly liked the way you gave full attention to the nipples and flanges. 😀😀

[@anthonynagle]

Brilliant video, thanks for saving me a fortune at the garage as now am doing myself.

[@whu58]

I`m impressed, I would not have a clue where to start if I attempted to replace the leaf myself - the van sits noticeably higher!

[@JohnlynHD]

John, just to let you know that I upgraded the springs on my Boxer today and watched your video a few times first. I did use the strength of a mate as I honestly can say that I did not have the energy to remove some of those nuts. Easy and straightforward thanks to your video. The springs were acquired via you link. Mine old ones were almost flat when we removed them, so it was a job worth doing. Wouldn't have thought to do it if you hadn't posted your video. Thanks again from a well satisfied subscriber.

[@williamdonnelly2705]

Hi John, Thanks for sharing again. We all find this type of info very useful. I have the double / upgraded springs on my Vantage van and also the air bags which can be inflated to a muximum of 70psi and giving an extra 60mm of ground clearance. After many trials I run the air bags at 20 psi which just makes the van sit as it was probably designed. Raising the back end does effect the handling. Without rambling on I also run my tyres at 52/57 psi front/back. This I have found works best for me with my setup. cheers

[@JohnlynHD]

Thanks for the prompt reply. My vans a 17 plate with 80,000 on the clock, if after the build it’s nearly at max weight it will be better if there’s no issues with how it drives. Stay safe both, . I’m enjoying your videos. And the new vans very nice.

[@superdog1947]

Never had this problem ,but you have explained it very well John thanks for your time and video .

[@davidtolley4979]

Mine is the Maxi when we are fully loaded it’s close to 3500kg and the ride height never looks any different. I believe that the maxi van can be up plated to about 4250kg without upgrading brakes or suspension. I think you have done the right thing especially as you are going to be doing a lot more mileage than most of us just use it for holidays 👍

[@woolleycodwanderers4833]

Good job 👍 ... I am learning about all sorts of new things 😊 ... 🤗❤️👵🏼🐾🐾🤠

[@vanlifeforgoldenrhodes]

I'm feeling the same as @whu58 . Thanks for showing this, you took the fear of huge complicated change to less intimidating.

[@maddavvid2339]

autofail come up trumps once again john (NOT), nice job this will help a lot of people that own autofails . stay safe , be lucky

[@barry-cq4xg]

nice job well done. very clear video quality and good volume on audio.

[@RohanTheBT]

Very interesting. My swift Sundance only has one leaf spring. Anyway I upgraded by having Dunlop air suspension fitted in place of the bumpstop. So far it’s worked very well. Much better handling and you can adjust it a fair amount

[@traildoug415]

Great Video John. I've been looking at HD leafs for mine as it's a joint grand tour and mountainbike van so will be fully loaded up most of the time and also used regularly off the beaten track. Like you say, the extra ground clearance will also come in handy down those bumpy gravel tracks and fields.

[@N269]

THANK YOU! This video explains alot! I have a Boxer ('17) and one of the bumpers is touching with an empty load.... Now I can diagnose the issue. Might just be a shock replacement? But, you made a very clear explanation of what is going on. Best

[@brettnbeckvalleyvan]

John what a very informative video this will help so many people who have the same van 👍👍👍 nice one butty ❤️✌️

[@Mal_Outdoors]

Nice work and good video of what's involved. Thanks.

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Top job John...thanks for sharing

[@stevebarber6183]

Fair play to you you will turn your hand to anything

[@mwooly10]

Great Video John 👍 I always thought they were a little harder to do than that, so you learn something new everyday, thanks 👍😊 Judging by everything you've done, if you'd of known about it you'd of probably done a self build yourself 😊

[@theexPAWers]

Hey John, you make it look so easy! Good job.. I think this is what we need to do to lift the back of our van, our leaf springs are almost level rather than curved😬.. Hoping it will last until we get out of Scandinavia! At least we know it’s not a big job for a mechanic providing we have the replacement leafs 😉 thankyou x

[@johnmandy]

Your van now 😑 Your van soon 😊 I was quoted 3 times the price for a garage to do the work as the parts cost me. Maybe if you drop back into Latvia you might get a better price 👍🏼

[@clivetucker176]

Nice video John, thanks.

[@stephenb5560]

Hi, J. Great video, have you Considered looking into changing the bump stops to Dunlop air ride, I have just had it fitted( not clever like you) to my coach built, it makes such a difference in so many ways. Ciao.

[@johnmandy]

I might in the future, but it’s far more important to get the springs working safely before adding airbags.

[@Jack100026]

Hi John, many thanks for the video I was just wondering where you got the springs from?

[@katcankan7129]

Morning Gadgets 😊☕. Are you a secret squirrel mechanic? You seem to know how to fix everything, which is handy 😊

[@johnmandy]

Thanks Kat 😁

[@katcankan7129]

@@johnmandy 😊

[@BernardSambre]

The best solution is to give the vehicle real suspension by replacing the blades rather than stupidly installing miracle remedies such as "Summo" style rubber bumpers which are only palliatives. Real good job.

[@davidfarrell1062]

Great video. Had been wondering how vans manage with max weight most of the time. Other than the leaf springs any other changes or upgrades required. Weight is the bane of camper vans.

[@alistairwilkinson3502]

Excellent vid. Thank you.

[@wkb9683]

Very nice job mate.

[@JohnWick-tc1xy]

you are good john

[@onemanandhiswhippet]

Nice job 👍 old boy 😀

[@johnmandy]

Thanks old boy 🤔

[@stevedandy9541]

Hi John hope you and Mandy are well, I’ve just got a set of the leaf springs to fit our vline can I ask how you knew the torque settings for the front and back, ie 185nm rear 145nm front as I’ve searched the net but can’t find the info. The vlog is superb in detail so I’m just checking I get the settings spot on 👍

[@pococteam]

I know it's more expensive, but did you value the simple rear air suspension? thanks for the video Se que es mas cara, pero valoraste la suspension neumatica trasera simple? gracias por el vídeo

[@johnmandy]

The air bags wouldn’t have fixed the fact the leaf springs were too weak for my van, so I had to replace them. Maybe in the future I’ll go for airbags to replace the bump stops.

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

That’s interesting John, have you thought about contacting Autotrail to get their perspective but then I guess they may throw it back due to modifications. Will the front need any changes or headlamps adjusting? Got to say I take my hat off to you as working in those conditions it’s so easy to be demoralised, not fun when the weather is against you.

[@johnmandy]

AutoFail are 100% focussed on taking no responsibility for their vans, they just push you to their dealer network, who in turn are crippled by the dire workmanship of their vans and the fact nothing is ever approved to be repaired under warranty. The fact that an established manufacturer buys base vehicles that are not meant to carry heavy loads and then loads them up so they will drive around at almost full capacity all the time, that shows you what sort of company their are, penny pinching to the extreme. The headlights are on adjustable motors so you can change the angle as required. The front end is fine, the issue was the n/s leaf that had bent the wrong way due to the fact single leaf springs are not meant to carry full loads all the time.

[@tornado1005]

Great job 👍 Should come with the uprated springs John 🙁 In the UK we seem to get slotted up with the Light Ducato chassis BUT in the EU they get the Maxi chassis I’ve a New Adria on the way - no option for the Maxi only in the EU Baffles my why, surely camper vans are carrying weight close to their limit continually - so we should get the Maxi by default Cost saving hmmm 🙁 Be interesting to find out the differences Maxi has the flared plastic front wheel arches ? Hubs different - PCD bolt fitment Brakes bigger front and rear ? Springs too ? Anyway top job in typical Manchester weather - where you start a big job in sunshine only for it to belt it down half way through 😂 🐝 🌨 EVERYTIME Nice this weekend though so get out n enjoy 👍

[@thomasjones9271]

Hi John, Good Job on changing the springs. I Would like to do this myself, Could you give the name of supplier or a link please.

[@alexn5648]

Apart from updated springs, what other additions are there on maxi vans. To be honest, I thought there was only one type of van, be it with various add ons eg cruise etc. Excellent vlog

[@johnmandy]

The maxi is purely higher rated suspension to carry the full loads more of the time.

[@JohnlynHD]

Just watched this video again. It’s really helpful. I am keen to do this on my Boxer. You had the van for many months after the modification, we’re you happy with the new springs, and would you recommend them?

[@johnmandy]

Yep, they were well worth the upgrade and made the van handle much nicer on the road

[@VanlifewithAlan]

I wanted to replace mine. I took the van to AL-KO who said it wasn't necessary!

[@johnmandy]

If you have an Alko chassis then that’s different to the full fiat chassis.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

@@johnmandy Not the full chassis, just the leif springs.

[@Iveavan]

I reckon that👎is from Autofail 🤔😉. Have they ever made comment on the faults and failures you've found bud ? 👌👍👍👍.

[@johnmandy]

I've only ever had letters or emails or phone calls from them saying I should contact the dealer who sold it to me, that dealer went bust and the other dealers in the network struggle to get anything out of autofail. So they're dead to me 🥴

[@Iveavan]

@@johnmandy to be fair mate, there's not much of an auto fail van left, you've rebuilt it! #Autogadget 😁👌👍.

[@papermagicroom253]

Wow very nice it's good move thanks for the good video 🤩😅😘😃😋

[@SCHIRMERSHOOTS]

Hello! I am almost done converting my Citroen Relay. My leaf springs will probably be flattened out pretty soon, so want to replace them preemtively, and theb I can get on the road with peace of mind. How do you know what stiffness of spring to go for? Is there a weight calculation? Or a range of movement to measure and to establish what to replace it with? I don't want to get it wrong and it either be too soft a spring and flatten out again, or too rigid and affect handling. Hope you can give some advice. Thanks so much 😊

[@biggreymandaandmia486]

Hi John, how much ground clearance did you gain from changing the leaf springs please? Also I know you already put the 16" wheels on. How do you know the exact speed you are travelling considering this? Apart from speed, does it effect anything else...brakes, suspension, fuel consumption? That sort of thing. Thank you.

[@krzysztofdrozda9950]

Hi. What is the wrangler tire model and size? You were satisfied with it?, now you probably have BFG. Cheers!

[@johnmandy]

Sorry, this is an old video and we no longer have that van.

[@suepaulbrown9512]

Should have bought an ambulance like us! Paul said it would have saved you a job, however you do have motor home status, whereas we are still a van with windows lol :-)

[@johnmandy]

🤣 if I ever did another build it’d be an ambulance, even if it’d just be a windowed van to the law 😝

[@suepaulbrown9512]

@@johnmandy We are taking it all the way to the independent Complaints Assessor and using a link to Auto fail. Let them work out the difference between an Auto fail Motor Home and our Glorious EsmeVan ( with side windows). Might need to put some sticky back plastic over one of our windows lol!

[@janemandy36]

Hi john can I ask how you knew they needed changing, we got peugeot boxer was a mini bus and noticed a knocking creeking on the back when driving this is all the time. Thanks

[@johnmandy]

That’s explained fully in the video 👍🏻

[@philwood1683]

Great job, did you consider air bags at all

[@johnmandy]

I needed to provide the mechnical support, airbags are meant to level not support the weight full time.

[@Mevi]

As you're not sitting on the bump stops anymore, do you notice overnight guests of wind any more, or any less?

[@johnmandy]

We don’t normally accept windy guests in our van if at all possible. 🤣

[@Mevi]

@@johnmandy Autocorrect did me dirty. 🤭 Ironically, I had retyped my question so I wouldn't get wiseguy replies about *wind*. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@johnmandy]

Awwww, and I still came in with a silly answer 😇

[@traveltimeni1442]

Have you watched my video installing the double leaf springs on the Peugeot boxer Campervan

[@johnmandy]

It didn't come up in any searches in youtube when I looked.

[@traveltimeni1442]

@@johnmandy ok

[@eugenemcgurk1068]

hi j. would have replaced shocks as well.

[@johnmandy]

Shocks are fine, it's a 1 year old van, swapped side to side shocks to compare and both are fine. I'm not a novice at this kinda stuff, so I don't waste money just replacing parts without knowing why the parts needs replacing.

[@patrickjobling8676]

Witch can only mean moore gin bottle carrying capacity..gotta keep the wild one happy ...😁pip pips and carryon

[@IslandMusings]

OK John, I have to ask... (maybe Mandy can help answer)... What can't you do?

[@pistolpete5189]

Cheers 🍻 this is on my to do list.. how much did they cost if you don’t mind me asking?

[@johnmandy]

Links in the description 👍🏼

[@VanlifeFreedom]

John quick question.. when connecting two batteries in parallel... do both batteries have to have the same charge before connecting?

[@johnmandy]

It’s best to, yes. Especially if they’re lithium.

[@anothercampervanchannel]

So not that difficult of a job then really. The garage charged me £250 to change one of mine that was cracked. The other one had been changed after the mot a couple of months prior. Your bump stops look a bit healthier than mine! Do they make a difference to the ride much?

[@johnmandy]

At the last part of the video I go over how it rides now. Both springs cost me £255 and that's for uprated double springs that is what should be fitted to all motorhomes and cmapervans to carry the full weight all the time.

[@anothercampervanchannel]

Guess that isn't too bad. So I wonder how much a garage would have charged you to do the job? 🤔 Good you could do it yourself. I was actually talking about the bump stops re the difference in ride. Just wondered if it's worth getting mine changed as they look like they've been chewed by a dawg, lol.

[@johnmandy]

A garage wanted £695 incl parts. Bump stops shouldn't really be used that much if the suspension is right, but they are cheap and easy to replace.

[@anothercampervanchannel]

@@johnmandy Hell fire, just as well you're handy with a spanner and stuff! Okay cheers, re bump stops 👍

[@CarlJones14]

It would be handy to know roughly how much this cost? Are you saying that a 3.5t van isn't designed to carry 3.5t. I can't remember but my springs look like the ones you've just put on...I will now have to check.🤔🙃🙄😂

[@johnmandy]

Please feel free to click the link in the video description to find out more about this.

[@wildsouloverlanding]

Hey john, do you have a link to where you bought them from?

[@johnmandy]

Yes, it’s linked on our blog.

[@flootje666]

Do you know the weight of your vehicle as shown in your video or aprox?

[@johnmandy]

If you check the videos before this I show you the weighbridge results 👍🏼

[@in-the-vanpeter5157]

Brilliant and again auto fail, FAIL by taking the cheap option again. Ty 👍