Sprinter AWD Suspension Upgrades in Australia: Choosing the Right Setup

A fully equipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AWD asks a lot of its suspension. Water tanks, batteries, cabinetry, spare wheels and touring equipment all add weight, while Australian roads bring everything from highway kilometres to corrugations and rough bush tracks.

The right suspension setup can make your van feel more settled, comfortable and controlled. Choosing the best upgrade means matching the shocks, springs and supporting components to your van’s weight and how you travel.

At Summit Vans, our recommendations start with three options: Bilstein X Summit Ridgeline for non-adjustable all-round performance, Falcon Switchback for adjustable touring performance, and FOX Factory Race for ultimate adjustable and off-road performance.

Alongside the shocks, we also consider rear leaf springs, SumoSprings and reinforcement of the upper rear shock mounts with Outback Brackets.

Bilstein X Summit Ridgeline: Our Pick for Non-Adjustable Suspension

For owners who want excellent all-round performance without adjusting their suspension between trips, the Bilstein X Summit Ridgeline Kit is our first recommendation.

Developed in collaboration with Bilstein Australia around a fully equipped Summit campervan, the Ridgeline pairs:

• Bilstein X Summit B60 front struts
• Bilstein X Summit B8 5160 remote reservoir rear shocks

The tuning is designed around the demands of loaded campervans, with a focus on ride comfort, body control and predictable handling across highway driving, corrugations and off-road touring.

The appeal is simplicity. You get a matched suspension package with fixed damping, ready for everyday driving and longer adventures without needing to choose settings.

For a touring van that needs improved rear spring support while retaining its existing GVM, pairing the Ridgeline with parabolic rear leaf springs and Outback Brackets is a combination worth discussing with our team.

Our recommendation: The best non-adjustable kit in our range for balanced, all-round Sprinter performance.

The Bilstein X Summit Ridgeline Kit is available exclusively through Summit Vans and our trade partners.

Falcon Switchback: Our Pick for Adjustable AWD Sprinter Suspension

The new Falcon Switchback Kit is our recommendation for Sprinter AWD owners who want more control over their suspension settings.

Adjustable damping lets you fine-tune the van’s response to suit different roads, touring loads and personal preferences. It is a good fit for owners who split their time between everyday driving, highway travel and rougher touring routes.

A key part of the Australian offering is local backup: Falcon suspension is now serviced and supported by Sydney Shock Absorbers. Having Australian service and technical support adds confidence to ongoing ownership.

Our recommendation: The best adjustable all-round kit in our range for AWD Sprinters.

The Falcon Switchback Kit is available exclusively through Summit Vans and our trade partners.

FOX Factory Race: For Ultimate Adjustable and Off-Road Performance

For owners who place off-road suspension performance at the top of their list, FOX Factory Race is our premium recommendation.

The FOX 2.5 Factory Race rear shocks combine remote reservoirs, adjustable compression damping and internal bypass technology. These features provide scope to tune the ride while increasing control as the suspension moves deeper into its travel.

For a complete upgrade, Summit can match the rear shocks with suitable FOX front struts and supporting components.

This is the option to consider when demanding off-road use and suspension adjustability are priorities, and you want to invest in a carefully set-up premium system.

Our recommendation: Our ultimate option for adjustable and off-road-focused Sprinter suspension performance.

Explore the FOX Factory Race rear shocks.

Outback Brackets: Highly Recommended Rear Shock Mount Reinforcement

When upgrading your rear shocks, the mounting points deserve attention too.

Summit highly recommends Outback Brackets to reinforce the upper rear shock mounts. They are an important supporting upgrade to consider alongside a suspension package, particularly for loaded campervans used on corrugations and rough touring roads.

The brackets reinforce the mounting area where the rear shocks attach to the vehicle. Their role is structural support, complementing the ride and damping improvements provided by upgraded shocks.

We recommend discussing Outback Brackets when selecting your Bilstein, Falcon or FOX setup, with compatibility confirmed for the specific shock and vehicle combination.

Fitting the brackets during the suspension installation is a practical way to address the shocks and their mounting points together.

Parabolic Rear Leaf Springs: Improve Rear Support Without a GVM Increase

Shock absorbers control suspension movement, while springs support the vehicle’s weight. A complete suspension assessment needs to consider both.

For owners who want improved rear suspension support and comfort while retaining their existing GVM, the Summit Parabolic Rear Leaf Spring upgrade is the option to consider.

The parabolic design uses tapered leaves to reduce friction between them, helping the rear suspension move more freely while supporting the constant weight of a campervan conversion. The replacement packs are designed to improve loaded ride height, stability and compliance.

This can complement a Ridgeline or Switchback kit where the factory rear springs are no longer well suited to the finished van.

The parabolic spring upgrade does not increase the vehicle’s legal GVM. It is a ride and support upgrade for a van operating within its approved weight limits.

View the Summit Parabolic Rear Leaf Spring Pack.

4,430kg GVM Upgrade: For Eligible Vans Requiring More Capacity

If your fully loaded van needs additional legal carrying capacity, a GVM upgrade is a separate consideration.

Summit offers a 4,430kg GVM upgrade kit for eligible Sprinters, including a heavy-duty rear leaf spring as part of the approved package.

This is the route to discuss when increased carrying capacity is a priority. The spring and suspension specification must suit the approved GVM package.

Availability is limited to certain states and eligible vehicle configurations. Speak with Summit before ordering so we can confirm the approval pathway for your van and where it is registered.

A weighbridge reading with the van loaded for travel is a useful starting point. Include passengers, fuel, water and equipment, and obtain front and rear axle weights so the recommendation reflects how your van is actually used.

View the Summit 4,430kg GVM upgrade.

SumoSprings: Extra Support and Comfort

SumoSprings can complement your suspension package by providing progressive support as they compress.

When correctly selected for the vehicle and its load, they can help soften harsh impacts and reduce unwanted body movement. Their airless design also avoids the need to manage air pressures.

The right specification matters. We match the support to the van’s weight and existing suspension to achieve a balanced result.

SumoSprings can be a useful addition to a touring setup, but they supplement the main springs and shocks and do not independently increase GVM.

Do You Need Auxiliary Front Shocks?

Auxiliary front shocks are available for both Bilstein and Falcon setups, but they are not essential for every van.

They add damping capacity and can be useful for heavier builds or owners regularly travelling rough and corrugated roads. Their role is to provide additional control over suspension movement.

For many owners, a matched front strut and rear shock package is the right starting point. The Ridgeline and Switchback can be selected without automatically adding auxiliary shocks.

Summit can assess whether auxiliary shocks would provide a worthwhile benefit for your build, including checking wheel and tyre clearance before installation.

Which Sprinter Suspension Upgrade Should You Choose?

Your priority	Summit’s recommendation
Non-adjustable all-round performance	Bilstein X Summit Ridgeline
Adjustable everyday and touring performance	Falcon Switchback
Ultimate adjustable and off-road performance	FOX Factory Race setup
Upper rear shock mount reinforcement	Outback Brackets — highly recommended
Rear spring support and comfort at existing GVM	Parabolic rear leaf spring upgrade
Increased legal GVM for an eligible van	4,430kg GVM upgrade package
Additional progressive support and comfort	Correctly matched SumoSprings
Extra front damping for demanding use	Optional Bilstein or Falcon auxiliary shocks

The best setup may combine several of these components. Start with your van’s loaded weight, the roads you travel and the ride characteristics you want to improve, then build a package around those needs.

Professional Sprinter Suspension Installation in Wollongong

Summit recommends professional installation to ensure your suspension components work together and suit your vehicle’s weight, wheels, tyres and intended use.

Our Wollongong workshop can help select and install the right package, including assessing rear springs, Outback Brackets, SumoSprings, auxiliary shocks and alignment requirements.

We are also opening a Noosa installation centre in 2027, bringing Summit suspension installation and support closer to customers in Queensland.

Whether you want a more comfortable touring van, adjustable control for changing conditions or a complete suspension and GVM package, we can help you choose a setup that suits your Sprinter.

Contact Summit Vans at parts@summitvans.com.au with your van’s model, year, registration state and touring setup to discuss your suspension upgrade.