OPTI-RATE REPLACEMENT LEAF SPRINGS for SPRINTER 3500 4x4 (PAIR)
OPTI-RATE REPLACEMENT LEAF SPRINGS for SPRINTER 3500 4x4 (PAIR)
SKU:3036
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Our Opti-Rate spring pack represents the culmination of over a decade spent tuning leaf springs for various ride heights, payloads, applications and uses. Built out vans often suffer from harsh bottom out due to the constant weight being carried, and will drive very poorly overall. Previously, leaf springs had to be ordered to a specific weight range and lift height, which meant either guessing or waiting until completion to order parts. The Opti-rate spring gives new flexibility in tuning both your spring rate and ride height, all in one package.
In the relentless pursuit of improvements, we have lengthened the spring over 2" and developed a longer shackle to improve ride. The angle of the shackle has a direct effect on the behavior of a leaf spring, with a longer spring and shackle combining to make for a more stable and progressive spring curve, and taking out much of the harshness associated with leaf springs.
With an industry first tunable preload system, we've developed a spring that truly is a 'one size fits all' solution, perfect for van builders, kit installers, and DIY'ers building their vans step by step on their own. The Opti-rate spring is made up of 3 distinct parts: the main springs in the primary stage, a 3-leaf secondary stage, and the Adjustable Preload Spacers (APS). The Adjustable Preload Spacers are machined blocks with stackable delrin glide pads that preload the secondary stage into the main stage. The springs are designed in a way that there is a gap between the 2 stages, perfect for adding our billet machined APS. When the main spring is weighted, the APS are able to engage the primary and secondary stages together. Changing the preload spacers requires little more than a floor jack, socket wrench, and a mallet; the springs can stay in the vehicle.
For light vans, or customers wanting the softest ride, no APS is needed and the spring works in its softest configuration. Middle weight vans, or customers wanting a firmer rear spring rate and increased ride height can add the APS with 1 delrin glide pad. Heavy vans, or customers wanting the maximum spring rate and ride height can install the APS with 2 delrin glide pads.
This spring is designed as a tunable solution, and as a way to correct spring rate. We've designed this spring to return the lost ride height without adding excessive lift. These springs are fully compatible with lift blocks and existing rear geometry correction components to allow for our 2" lift kits to work perfectly for those that want increased clearance and a more aggressive stance.
These require truck freight to ship, if you have a commercial address this will help save on the shipping costs.


Videos

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INCLUDED COMPONENTS
- Opti-Rate Full Replacement Leaf Springs (matched pair)
- 4 Billet Adjustable Preload Spacer Blocks
- 4 Top preload spacers glide pads
- 4 Middle preload spacers
- U-bolts and Nuts
- Rear bump stop lower mounting bracket
FITMENT GUIDE
MODEL: SPRINTER 3500
YEAR: 2015-PRESENT
DRIVE TYPE: 4X4 and AWD
NOTE: Progressive rate leaf springs operate differently to factory style parabolic leaf springs. Periodic maintenance, lubrication and deep cleaning may be necessary to maintain quiet, optimum operation.
LABOR TIMES
Recommended Shop Labor Time: 3 Hours
.If you have a van built out, a full build, DIY or professional, there should be a law in the name of safety, that you MUST upgrade shocks and leaf springs.
My Lily is a 2019 3500 XD, 170" extended 4x4 dually. Lily has always been a big girl. On our first date she weighed about 10,700 lbs. Over the years with mods etc., Lily travels fully loaded with people, gear, food, water and dogs, at about 11,000 lbs. Since Oct. 2020, I had nothing to compare the ride to but I could see Lily didn't have the same spring in her step as she used to; her OEM "XD" springs were wearing a frown instead of a smile. Lily is a country girl. Lily doesn't rock, she doesn't roll, she crosses train tracks and speed bumps at her own pace and liking. Her stability is incredible; up the mountain, down the mountain, across the tracks and around the bend - even at The Rim, The Wall and the "short cut" thru Badlands.
OPTI-RATE REPLACEMENT LEAF SPRINGS for SPRINTER 3500 4x4, APS-2 (10,000 lbs +), are the single best safety modification you can make to your van. New shocks probably had a big deal to do with Lily's improvement too - I went with Koni's. Look at the pic, Lily's OEM springs had flatlined. Now he stands tall, added ~2 inches and, she now has a ~1° rake. That's rake, not rack!
Opti-Rate Leafs by Van Compass: They ought to be required for full builds by law, or Executive Order. Bigly.
PS: No weight gain. Lily did not suffer at the scales for dining on the good stuff.
installed the opti rate spring set on a 2023 Winnebago View it was a challenge and don't regret it one bit as the coach rides smooth as silk and has ended the cross wind problem and handles like a sport car now !!! worth every penny also took the sag out of the rear end. But had to omit the the 4 aluminum spacer out of the springs as it was to much lift i wish Van Compass had a helping video on this install as it's well worth the effort

