If you’ve never driven down the Baja Peninsula, you may not understand why it’s important to have a stable vehicle. Last year, the van we took to Baja would wander a bit and in windy conditions or the passing of a semi-truck, it would be a scary experience. The roads are extremely narrow in Baja and the shoulder is a steep drop off with certain problems awaiting if you take her off even slightly.
This year, after picking up a 2010 Ford Great West Van, we wanted to invest in the stability so it was less of a white knuckle drive. Installing Bilstein’s Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers B6 (for a class C) and Steering Damper (B8 5100) instantly improved the feel of the van. The high-top van no longer felt like it wanted to wander and it wasn’t scary at all on windy days. Overall, the improvement just made the van feel very stable.
The control that we gained from upgrading the shocks and adding the steering damper was a game changer for the peninsula but also over windy mountain passes in Colorado.
We could also notice that the old shocks were starting to show some wear, especially over bumps or potholes and they were feeling quite bouncy. With the Bilstein upgrade, we noticed a big improvement in this regard. No more bouncy, lingering bumps. This is a big deal for van coming in at 10,000 GVW and towing.
If you’re ready to upgrade the suspension on your loaded van, check out Bilstein Shock Absorbers. You’ll feel control, stability, and confidence on even the narrowest of roads. New shocks and the steering damper will upgrade your ride and you’ll feel solid no matter the conditions you’re traveling in. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! If we pick up another van, this will absolutely be one of the first upgrades we make before hitting the road.
*We received this gear for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.
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