Has anyone tried to lower the ride height of a van?

[bzirk]

I am thinking about lowering and leveling out my van. I am looking for ideas on How, Who, and Why not.

Thanks

BZ

[toalpi]

There are a lot of reasons that fall into the "Why Not" catagory. Before we start filling in that catagory, Please answer the main question, Why ? And how much? And what do you use it for?

[MADVAN]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] Short Leggs [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
The only gain i can see is maybe better MPG if it was on the floor. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Bill

[bzirk]

I use it for family road trips, work van(computer parts, low voltage wiring, home theater stuff) and trips to home depot. It will pull a boat two block to the water when the wife has her Wrangler.

I was looking to lower it a couple of inches for maybe better MPG, easier entry for the kids and me with junk, and for looks, the ass end now is so high, the tires look too small (stock 246/75/16). Every car has a good ride height somewhere between speed bump through the grill and 8" lift with only 31's. The van just looks too high. I was looking for 1-2" in the front, and 2-4" in the rear.

Needless to say, I have no real pressing major reasons, just a few small ones. If it is too $$$, too PITA, or too many problems, I will not even pursue it further. I was putting out feelers to see if it had been done.



BZ

[ddog]

Since Vans tend to bottom out easily, Changing/cutting Springs to lower it is not really an option since it will ruin ride quality and suspension travel. The ideal option for lowering the front which doesn't meet either of your criteria (PIA and $$$$) is replacement I-beams with Drop spindles. This moves the spindle/ball joint attachment to the I beam higher which lowers the van while still being able to retain stock springs/shocks to manage weight and ride control. This is the best way, but not cheap. Theres a company that makes these for lowering Ford Trucks, can't remember, but I'm sure they could do it for a van since the set up is similar.

Not sure on the rear, possibly change the springs from top axle mount to bottom mount. That would be good for about 3" or whatever the diameter of the axle is give or take.

I agree that a lowered van would look good. This was done alot in the custom van heyday of the 70's and early 80's

On edit HERE is a company that makes them for the F Superduty and other Fords. They don't list a Van app, but I would guess they could build it.

ddog

[bork]

If you raise the front, it'll lower the back a little. seesaw affect. It did on mine.

[stroked_van]

Thanks for the link ddog!!!!
This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for.
Have them saved in my fav's.
Want to get some body work done and get a paint job before I seriously start to consider doing the lowering though (gotta have priorities on this stuff [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ). Avatar pic shows this aint the purdiest thing on the road at the moment (although....the blue stripes are now history [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ).
Looks like about $1,300 (rough figure, I think) to get the parts.
Will need to get hold of them to nail down an actual price (and find out if this is a doable thing with them).
My main worry has been to keep what little ride comfort I have in this thing. Cutting or heating springs to lower is not really a viable option on these vans and this might just do the trick!

So to update list ot "to-do's":
New top, body and paint, ride height, wheels!!!!
Wheeeeeee!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]