V20E21: 4x4 Van Upgrades at Agile Offroad

[@garrettm949]

John, Glen and the entire team at Agile are the real deal. I believe they are THE most valuable resource in the industry. Fantastic folks and really know what’s going on with this specialized chassis. Glad you got to rub shoulders.

[@jackbjack]

Thanks Chris for sharing the Revel out in the wild in daily/practical use and blazing the way for us future overlanding van owners!

[@Wa61105]

Great content! Can't wait until your next video..

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

Wise improvements.. Great video Chris

[@venture4wd]

Thanks 👍

[@markj10]

Glad to see all of this van content, being full time van dweller this is my world and I love seeing these beast make a strong statement in overlanding. Thanks Chris!

[@venture4wd]

We agree!

[@grinnelljd]

I did something similar early this year with my 2018 Sprinter 4x4 2500. I had experienced some clunking from the left rear suspension, on even minor bumps, that I couldn't isolate. I took the van to my local 4x4 outfitter, Built for the East, and had him take a look at it. He determined that the upper shock bolt on the left rear shock was starting to oval the mounting hole, allowing flex and the audible clunking. The bolt itself was tight, but there was enough flex under load that it caused the problem. The fix I opted for was the installation of the Baja Brackets from Van Compass, which are very similar to the shear brackets you had installed at AO. They convert the single shear mount of the upper shock bolt to a double shear. It definitely fixed my clunking and gives me greater confidence that I won't experience a broken shock bolt out in the wilderness. I've now been looking for a good way to protect the rear lower shock mounts. I have a full set of Van Compass skid plates so the bottom is already pretty well protected, but I've managed to catch the lower shock mounts a few times on rocks in the trail. It's a weak point I'd love to address at some point. If you or any viewers have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I absolutely love that you are including the Revel in more of your episodes, being biased because I drive a similar van. Orangie is great too, but it's nice to see you pushing the van through more challenging off-road environments.

[@TW---]

Nice comment. I too am looking for shock mount improvements for the Sprinter. I also am really enjoying all the van videos. Got worried he was going to sell it after the release of the 2 yr ownership montage video. So glad to see more improvements to the van which means more travel videos in the van.

[@tazumal7794]

Thank you for sharing the names of the 4x4 shops you like. Very useful information.

[@venture4wd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@taurota1554]

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@marvelz6355]

Thanks for the video. Can’t wait for the next one 💪🏻

[@venture4wd]

More to come!

[@aribach]

This was a great video Chris. You've metioned what this channel will morph into after becoming a home owner. This video was on point (and just as my personal opinion think this episode is what you should strive for.) I have been following you for years. Love your content. Cheers

[@venture4wd]

Thank you!

[@rustyharvey3481]

Wow Chris I'm learning so much I'm writing down & saving these vids for my reference when I start modified my revel Thx you for showing these vids it's helping make me understand these machines more

[@venture4wd]

Glad to help!

[@milonetzler67]

Chris you have convinced me to build out a sprinter 4x4. I appreciate your advice on what seems to work best for your application.

[@venture4wd]

Sounds like a great endeavor. Building for individual needs is such a an awesome way to go.

[@dennisl6198]

Oh, man. Got my coffee, sit down for the video, and i get another moment of zen to start off. Ahhhhh. How do you make installing shocks a calming thing to watch? Skills.

[@venture4wd]

Why thank you!

[@erichughes9098]

Thank you Chris for the video😎👍

[@venture4wd]

👍

[@tuomasholo]

Thanks for this. I’m about 600 miles away and good to know I can boondock. I’ve been considering a total suspension upgrade on mine.

[@toddcunningham2410]

Known John Brindel since his days racing Baja Bugs in Baja and running ORW Kearney. His & Glen’s experience & history with off-road racing translates directly to what you are seeing with Agile today. Perfect example is the tuning of the Fox shocks. That’s not Fox’s tune, that’s Agiles experience. Ramsy would be so proud of what Agile has become! Chris I wish I would have known you were there as I just live minutes away and would have loved to meet you in person. I’d. Love to pick your brain on an adventure trip I’m wanting to do.

[@1FiftyOverland]

The license plate thing always cracks me up. Like nobody see them while driving 😂

[@steven.bennett]

Exactly. What do they think they're protecting? There's already a law for that. It's called the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) of 1993. It prohibits the release or use by any State DMV (or any officer, employee, or contractor thereof) of personal information about an individual obtained by the department in connection with a motor vehicle record. So yeah, that's like putting tint over a piece of glass that's already opaque.

[@brucel399]

Good content. Making sure you have good components and installation is important for off roading and vehicle living. Cant wait for the next video to see the differences in the Van's. CHEERS from Colorado

[@venture4wd]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jbf5030]

That was a great video. Although I miss orangey I’m really starting to take to the van lifestyle. It really is the ultimate platform. Have a great day Chris, looking forward to the next 😊

[@venture4wd]

Thank you!

[@maxf416]

Thank you. Love the journey.

[@venture4wd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@blueman5924]

The new shock and mount look A-1. Dependability on the trail is key. 👍👍

[@venture4wd]

Totally agree!

[@search4truth104]

Wow that was defiantly a weak point. Looked like a easy bolt on upgrade as well. Good call on replacing. That shop looks legit.

[@venture4wd]

Right on

[@TheDieselApartment]

I've always wondered how content creators get permission to film people working on their vehicles. Thanks for adding that in! I want a van soooo bad, but I already have a Jeep and two RVs so I should probably slow my roll. 😆

[@venture4wd]

Sounds like you have quite the quiver :)

[@JD-xo3xz]

Thanks for the referrals, its always good to know who makes customers happy. Im also going to guess that the 2023 spanks all previous years.

[@venture4wd]

We shall see 😄

[@genekied]

First rate company, I've seen a few of the vanlife people use their services. They really treat the customers good and the products they use are the best for your need.

[@venture4wd]

Well said!

[@conchscooter]

I was in Belize checking out the Mayan ruins at Caracol down a long dirt road in the company of a guy in a 4x4 Sprinter who did exactly that: broke his upper suspension bolt. I live in a Promaster and was surprised. Not any more. Those people sound like thoughtful aftermarket builders for Sprinters.

[@venture4wd]

Great people, great shop. Highly recommend.

[@graysonbrown2774]

Great vid. Also enjoyed the addition of music, although really enjoy your style of videos that pretty much never includes music.

[@venture4wd]

Had to edit out the shop music for copyright purposes.

[@gilbertarnold8666]

Great video thank you!

[@venture4wd]

Glad you liked it!

[@GentleGiantFan]

I've followed this channel from the start and am currently a year behind another channel I follow (Foresty Forest). What are the odds of you two guys doing a collab? Both you and Foresty Forest are different in some ways but from other ways you're both cut from the same cloth. Both love hiking. Foresty off roads some and I've seen you mountain bike a little too. What do you think?

[@Matt02341]

Chris, great video. Short but well explained. I miss organey but I became a Jeep owner in 2017 so I’ve seen the introduction of the JL JT Bronco Rivan the 392 and supposedly the cyber truck. Point is there are many ways to appreciate the outdoors but a dependable vehicle is a game changer. Always cherish and preserve that. And Yes, I’m referring to more than 4WD Ok? 😜

[@venture4wd]

Fully agree - start with a decently dependable vehicle and go from there.

[@ThatOneDudeNick]

Looking forward to the comparison between the 2020 and 2023. On paper I don't want to like the 2023. I haven't actually seen how it performs, but I've turned my nose up at the changes.

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

HI CHRIS 👋 HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING YOU HAVE HAD DONE AT ADGILE KEEPS YOU'LL SAFER 🙏 PLUS CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW YOUR TRIP WENT TOO . PLUS A NEW PLACE TO CAMP IF YOU'RE IN THE AREA ! HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING WELL TOO 🙏 BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! ENJOYED 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 🍨 GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS ON YOUR ADVENTURES 🙏 THANK YOU 🙏

[@venture4wd]

Hi David! Thank you (Shannon says hello and thank you as well!). Hope you’re enjoying some ice cream 🍨 🍦 this holiday week/weekend as well 😀

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

HI CHRIS & SHANNON HI 👋 IF YOU'RE EVER NEAR MARYLAND , PASADENA AREA LOOK UP DAILY SCOOP / IN ANNAPOLIS TOO / THEY HAVE THE BEST HOMEMADE ICE CREAM 🍦 🍨 😋 BE SAFE !

[@venture4wd]

Thank you David! Going on the list!

[@mattemeny2606]

My Sundays aren’t the same without an update from Chris

[@andrewkavanagh1376]

same

[@venture4wd]

Thank you both for watching, I appreciate it!

[@conniewaite1371]

Dony mind it being short,it was all good stuff!

[@PrevostKlaus]

Yee Yee 😎✌

[@TW---]

Despite many previous comments from other commenters, I am very much enjoying all the Revel ventures. Orangey was/is great, but it's time for a different adventure vehicle. And this is a great choice. Much more comfortable but still quite capable. (As this video & next will show) ALSO: despite previous comments from other commenters, it would be nice to see Shannon tagging along. The "lone wolf" adventuring feel of your videos can still be intact with clever editing. Besides, the food/cooking scenes need improvement. Just like what AO did for the van, Shannon can do for your belly!

[@venture4wd]

Haha Shannon would love to come along more but the past 6 months has been extremely intense for her, work-wise. Hopefully soon though! Her cooking keeps me on the margins of healthy at least! 😃

[@tacoma_jon]

Music in a venture4wd video. Not something you hear that often.

[@venture4wd]

Had to edit out the shop music for copyright purposes.

[@tacoma_jon]

@@venture4wd it was a nice change of pace

[@johnh6855]

No Background Music Please.

[@rd4660]

LOL, the folksy guitar music during the shock mount sequence....had to turn the sound off. I'd rather listen to the impact wrenches than silly guitar music.

[@venture4wd]

Had to edit out the shop music for copyright purposes.

[@jimbresnahan]

@@venture4wd Good choice by me Chris. I hope there'll also shortly be AI tools to fix that particular problem.

[@gscrawford74]

Did you run into @NikkiDeventhal? She was just out there