Uprating front coils on Fiat Ducato

[Happy Jack]

Worth bearing in mind both would be ok as the total axle weight would be at least 3998Kgs, more than enough for your van.
Is it worth checking which one gives most extra ride height?

 

[MichaelT]

Got Killen on current and had them on last van about 500 fitted.

 

[Happy Jack]

If you do the work yourself the only real awkward bit is levering the lower arm down far enough after removing the bottom ball joint and loosening off totally the anti-roll bar fastening.
Did it myself but a second pair of hands would make life easier and you would avoid the possibility of the drive popping out of the gearbox and losing the oil.

 

[MisterB]

Got Killen on current and had them on last van about 500 fitted.

thanks, its working out around that price now - using OVS in Weeley - they have done a few jobs on our vehicles now for about three years, so happy with their service so dont really want to shop around too widely, though it was important to get a few prices to get an idea of ball park figures.

 

[MisterB]

If you do the work yourself the only real awkward bit is levering the lower arm down far enough after removing the bottom ball joint and loosening off totally the anti-roll bar fastening.
Did it myself but a second pair of hands would make life easier and you would avoid the possibility of the drive popping out of the gearbox and losing the oil.

if it was summer then i would def have a go but i need it doing asap and the weather and timing gods are not with me !!!!

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[MichaelT]

thanks, its working out around that price now - using OVS in Weeley - they have done a few jobs on our vehicles now for about three years, so happy with their service so dont really want to shop around too widely, though it was important to get a few prices to get an idea of ball park figures.

Could try halfway garage on A133 where salmons use for mot

 

[raysalaugh]

Could try halfway garage on A133 where salmons use for mot

I'm not taking the bait.

 

[MisterB]

Happy Jack
MichaelT

just had this message from a supplier ----

In that case I would suggest going for part number 12205, they are approximately 40% stiffer than the standard van springs and 20% stiffer than Kilen 12181 springs.

 

[MichaelT]

Happy Jack
MichaelT

just had this message from a supplier ----

In that case I would suggest going for part number 12205, they are approximately 40% stiffer than the standard van springs and 20% stiffer than Kilen 12181 springs.

Not sure what mine are tbh.

 

[Landy Andy]

12181s fitted to mine. Got them on eBay.

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[Drexl]

In October last year I fitted Kilen 12181 coil springs when I replaced the standard suspension with Bilstein B6 Camper Advanced dampers. This is on my 2020 Boxer heavy chassis panel van conversion.
The 12181 springs are rated for front axle weight up to 2000kg - my weigh bridge front axle weight was 1800kg. The spring comparison pic is the 12181 next to the standard maxi chassis spring. The ride height after fitting is plus 54mm.
Removing and replacing the struts is possible without removing the driveshafts or bottom ball joint. As others have said - need to be careful not to pull out the passenger side driveshaft when removing and replacing the damper unit from the hub. I didnt lose oil but did have a container underneath as a precaution. A helper is recommended for reinstalling the struts to line up the 3 strut top bolts as the struts are heavy. The trickiest bit was accessing the drivers side strut top - see photo. There are 2 security bolts (the type with sheared off heads) that need to be removed that hold on the cage round the BCM. Compared to the original suspension the improved ride quality, stability in cross winds and reduced noise has been very impressive. Probably the best mod I have done to the van.

BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced - BILSTEIN Camper

Thanks to our DampMatic technology, the BILSTEIN B6 Camper Advanced always offers the optimum suspension setting.

camper.bilstein.com

 

[DerryW]

The only thing to be careful of with Autodoc is, they’re not the fastest for delivery (that’s has been my experience anyway). Nothing wrong with product or customer service, just the slow delivery which can be a pain if your desperate for a part.

 

[MisterB]

Thanks, I'm not getting them from autodoc, I'm getting them from the company that actually spent some time researching for me AND returned my phone calls. It seems the right thing to do albeit is costing me about £20 more than the cheapest I can find.

 

[MisterB]

Ordered the Kilen 12205 Coil Springs (2000kg +) to collect tomorrow, I could have them posted but I need to guarantee they are here for Monday as I've booked it in at a local garage to fit them. It will take me a couple of hours to drive to collect but it's peace of mind !!