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Old 06-22-2017, 10:32 PM   #1
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Sumos Were Worth It

Today, finally, was the first run since we had the Sumos installed front and rear. Did almost 400 miles across Illinois and Iowa. Wind was hitting us in the front side at around 20mph and increased as the day went on.

The Challenger did not handle like a sports car, but it did handle much better. There was a lot less back and forth roll, which made it much easier to steer straight. I'm probably going to stop here with chassis mods and save my money.

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Old 06-22-2017, 10:36 PM   #2
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I've just done the fronts on our Axis and its noticeably better.
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Old 06-22-2017, 10:57 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe-FL View Post
Today, finally, was the first run since we had the Sumos installed front and rear. Did almost 400 miles across Illinois and Iowa. Wind was hitting us in the front side at around 20mph and increased as the day went on.

The Challenger did not handle like a sports car, but it did handle much better. There was a lot less back and forth roll, which made it much easier to steer straight. I'm probably going to stop here with chassis mods and save my money.
Ive had Sumo Springs on my Challenger all summer. I feel so much more stability and control. Especially when the big rigs pass by.
I heard Tiffen is installing them on their rigs in the factory. I don't know why all manufacturers aren't doing it. It would cost $1000 that's pass on to the consumer. Increased safety.
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Old 06-23-2017, 12:22 AM   #4
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Jamie,

If you don't mind my asking what did they run on your 24.1 and which ones did you get, if memory serves me there were two options for the front.

Doc
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Old 06-23-2017, 12:27 AM   #5
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Jamie,

If you don't mind my asking what did they run on your 24.1 and which ones did you get, if memory serves me there were two options for the front.

Doc
I picked up the SSF-106-40 (Amazon) at Amazon's price there ($160).

I think it cost me all of $50 to get them put on--the fronts are really easy to put on for the E-Series chassis.
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Old 06-23-2017, 01:57 AM   #6
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Jamie,

Thanks. Going to order them tonight.

Doc
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Old 06-23-2017, 12:29 PM   #7
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Ive had Sumo Springs on my Challenger all summer. I feel so much more stability and control. Especially when the big rigs pass by.
I heard Tiffen is installing them on their rigs in the factory. I don't know why all manufacturers aren't doing it. It would cost $1000 that's pass on to the consumer. Increased safety.
Apparently Tiffen is now offering Sumos as an option on either some of their gas coaches or all of them. I agree that all manufacturers should get on board with either Sumos as an option or air bags.

Heading into Nebraska today we will have fairly stiff winds hitting us in the side of the coach again, then Sunday through Wyoming they may lay down closer to 10mph or so. Over the next two months on the road I may come to believe that the Sumos were actually a bargain if we experience enough of these windy days.
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Old 06-23-2017, 01:01 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by DocMike View Post
Jamie,

If you don't mind my asking what did they run on your 24.1 and which ones did you get, if memory serves me there were two options for the front.

Doc
I put them on my 2016 axis 25.2 and thought they were great. I installed the 106-40 but when I got the instruction sheet it looked like the 106-40's were better suited for a van bodied chassis. The instructions showed a box van and recommended 106-47's. Just a thought. The 106-47's hold a 1000 lbs rather than 500 lbs for the 106-40's
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Old 06-23-2017, 01:20 PM   #9
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I put them on my 2016 axis 25.2 and thought they were great. I installed the 106-40 but when I got the instruction sheet it looked like the 106-40's were better suited for a van bodied chassis. The instructions showed a box van and recommended 106-47's. Just a thought. The 106-47's hold a 1000 lbs rather than 500 lbs for the 106-40's
Yeah I had considered going with the stiffer ones but in the end didn't want to make the thing ride like the brick it is. I'm pretty happy with the 40s.
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Old 06-23-2017, 03:39 PM   #10
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What type of Sumos were installed on your Challenger?
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Old 06-23-2017, 08:49 PM   #11
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What type of Sumos were installed on your Challenger?
Front= SSF-185-40-1
Rear= SSR-183-54-1
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Old 06-23-2017, 09:54 PM   #12
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Ron is happy with our Sumos Front and Rear. We will give then another test next week...heading to Colorado. Winds of western KS & east Colo will not be such a challenge with them.
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Old 06-27-2017, 01:47 AM   #13
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Installed a front set of the 47's (Heavy Duty) on the nose heavy Axis tonight and it took about 30-40min. Measured front fender lip to ground distance before and after.
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Old 06-27-2017, 02:11 AM   #14
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I am not inclined to install them on my 37KT, What is a reasonable price to have them installed? My dealer is quoteing $1k.
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Old 06-27-2017, 03:46 PM   #15
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what handling symptom did these fix for you?

It seems like they are primarily a helper spring..... to reduce sag from loading or overloading. My E-450 is heavy, but I don't sense that it's sagging significantly.... at least not at all like back in the day I'd sometimes load so much into an old pickup truck that the headlights were shinning racoons in the treetops!
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Old 06-27-2017, 04:08 PM   #16
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what handling symptom did these fix for you?

It seems like they are primarily a helper spring..... to reduce sag from loading or overloading. My E-450 is heavy, but I don't sense that it's sagging significantly.... at least not at all like back in the day I'd sometimes load so much into an old pickup truck that the headlights were shinning racoons in the treetops!
I found that it tightened up the front for me. The Axis no longer seems as mushy in the front and doesn't lean near as much in turns as it used to.
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Old 06-27-2017, 05:36 PM   #17
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As Jamie said they do a lot more than just address sag.
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Old 06-27-2017, 06:18 PM   #18
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What is the difference in the color of the Sumo springs? Some model numbers show up in black or blue. If that a significance? And then there are yellow ones?
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Old 06-28-2017, 12:46 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TyCreek View Post
Installed a front set of the 47's (Heavy Duty) on the nose heavy Axis tonight and it took about 30-40min. Measured front fender lip to ground distance before and after.


How's the ride Ty?
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Old 06-28-2017, 04:16 AM   #20
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How's the ride Ty?
Don't know yet ... will know by this time next week My only hope is they don't make things worse! LoL ...

Ride and handling was pretty good the way it was but the front is saggy on our Axis and our weight ticket confirms very near max for the front axle. Not what I consider a "proper" fix but figured hey ... the deal was so cheap it couldn't hurt to try them. And I've used the same devices on heavy loaded rear axels with good results so decided it was worth basically the cost of a nice diner to try them on the Axis. No great loss if I don't notice at least some handling improvement or they somehow make the ride worse, as I can pull them off and sell them for what I gave for them.

On thing quite obvious in the swap was that the factory bump stops sure have a definite contact mark. Since these are always touching the slight harshness from contact should be eliminated.
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