Help a newb with a Merc Vito

[AdamBomb]

Hi All,

I have been lurking for a little bit on here and now I was wondering if you very knowledgable folk might be able to give me some advice on where to start with my project...

I have a 2003 Merc Vito SWB and I would like to install an airbag system.. I know it can be done (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hI-AY5igB3g).. just gotta have it!

I have had a look around under the van and the rear seams pretty straight forward to do.. but I was wondering where I would find the front struts / bags (would they need to be custom made?).

I would like to perform this conversion on my own, so I can learn how it all works and be able to fix faults if I have any (unless you guys think I would be far better off just taking it to Ryvern etc)... I have been playing with cars for the last 10 years and done pretty much all my own mechanical work.. although I can't weld.

How much do you guys think I would be looking at for a complete FBSS setup?

Any advice gratefully recieved.

Thanks,

Adam.

[air-one]

For a good  air set-up on a Vito your looking to spend around fifteen hundred quid.

Have a look on you chassis plate a see what the front/rear gross weights are.

This will help selecting the right bags,

Iv'e not long done a transit pick-up and that performed well on air.

Get it jacked up and take some photo's of the front struts and rear end.

[monte man]

Rear end will be easy like youve said,v class's run bags standard on rear. The front has large mcpherson struts.

[AdamBomb]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replys!

I will take some photos... not had a chance yet.. just about got all the signwriting off the sides now tho and it doesnt seam to have bleached the the met silver paint  

One question.. will bagging the vito effect the load carry ability? I have a PA system I need to move around now and then and it does weigh a fair bit (around 1/2 - 2/3 of a ton at a guess).

as Monte Man said it does seam pretty straight forward at the back.. it even looks like it has extra brackets on the axel for assistance bags (I might be wrong here but that's what it looks like)... again the front is a BIG mcpherson strut, big springs so should have good clearence for bags???

Thanks again for all your help!

Adam.

[ant]

never seen a vito proper slammed ..... looks surprising good, and you get these a load cheaper than same spec/age t4's, plus no torsion frt suspension.

Get some pics up of yours, what rims you got planed?

[air-one]

Ten minutes on google came up with this.............


http://http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tubularsuspensionsystems.com/images/VitoStrut2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tubularsuspensionsystems.com/struts_ag.htm&h=1024&w=768&sz=59&hl=en&start=49&um=1&usg=__RO2Au2wn16R3cA2WgW22hzigIhQ=&tbnid=uH4oAjDD82xS0M:&tbnh=150&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvito%2Bon%2Bair%26start%3D36%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN

[ant]

woah!  

[air-one]

Bit of roof chopage there  

You like ant??

[AdamBomb]

no torsion frt suspension.

Precisely why I chose a Vito.. I was looking at T4s but I gotta have air.. and the work required with a torsion bar ruled the T4 out... and I haven't got the cash for a T5 (I wish!).

Also.. I have since fallen for the Vito.. looks rude once dropped... that youtube link swayed me even more.

I have some 5 spoke 17" AMG rims on it at the moment (but they are more than crusty.. laquer is off all over the place) and a spare set of mint 7 spoke Merc rims that came with it.. but they are far too wide, stick out of the arches a good inch (think it might be the offset rather than the width actually).. so wide they wont go thru an MOT, hence its riding on the scabby wheels at the moment... once I get the airbags sorted the wider wheels will be out of the question without major arch work, so I think I'm going to sell those and recon the 5 spokes... they are both fitted with 235/45/17s.. leaves FAR too much air under the arches tho.

Will take some pics once she's clean.. still alot of buffing to do, simply not had enough time to do it yet.

So... those truts you linked to... looks like a US based company.. is it safe to import this kinda thing? Only option?

Does anyone have a basic diagram of what I need and where to put it... or link to a thread with this info.. I'm thinking its just the struts / bags, air lines, compressor, tank, valves and switches? maybe a gauge? You'll have to forgive my ignorance, new to this..

Any comments on the load carrying?

Thanks again!

Adam.

[AdamBomb]

Current (scabby) rims :

Mint rims in the shed :

Might go for a set of these actually :

[ant]

Here is link to the dutch company that i found that could provide me with a complete kit for my a8.

http://http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://luchtvering.info/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbss%2Bair%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLJ_en-GBGB216GB217

They have diagrams on there and have already bagged a vito!!! result.

You've got me thinking about one now, where you based adam?

[AdamBomb]

Hi,

Thanks again for the replys and info.. will get on the case.

I'm in Frome, near Bath.. a Scummerset boy.