Help on rear lift on E350 RV??

6

68camaro

Any River...Any Place
Hi, i have a 2001 e350 dually Chinook RV, 21' at 9700 lbs. rear axle is roughly 6500lb. I bought an Action Van 4.5" front lift and once installed was going to have rear leaf springs made to raise rear, plus put on 235/85/16 tires.

Local shop informed me today the spring shop will not make custom springs to lift rear in-line with the front. So I am being told I need to use 4" blocks in the rear, but I am concerned about using 4" blocks on rear, even with proper install. Are my fears unfounded? ActionVan has done rear blocks in rigs like mine plus much bigger and says there has been no problems. I do know with blocks the upper plate will need to be modified so it doesn't puncture tire. I also have MorRyde Rubber Shackle system so not sure if that matters.

If blocks are problematic where can I get a leaf spring pack made as local place refuses? If I need leaf springs can I run blocks until leaf springs come in?

I am in VA and lifted vans/rv are not common here so shops think I am crazy in general. My goal for lift is just to get ground clearance and not to forge into crazy off camber stuff.
 
eblau

eblau

Adventurer
68camaro said:
Hi, i have a 2001 e350 dually Chinook RV, 21' at 9700 lbs. rear axle is roughly 6500lb. I bought an Action Van 4.5" front lift and once installed was going to have rear leaf springs made to raise rear, plus put on 235/85/16 tires.

Local shop informed me today the spring shop will not make custom springs to lift rear in-line with the front. So I am being told I need to use 4" blocks in the rear, but I am concerned about using 4" blocks on rear, even with proper install. Are my fears unfounded? ActionVan has done rear blocks in rigs like mine plus much bigger and says there has been no problems. I do know with blocks the upper plate will need to be modified so it doesn't puncture tire. I also have MorRyde Rubber Shackle system so not sure if that matters.

If blocks are problematic where can I get a leaf spring pack made as local place refuses? If I need leaf springs can I run blocks until leaf springs come in?

I am in VA and lifted vans/rv are not common here so shops think I am crazy in general. My goal for lift is just to get ground clearance and not to forge into crazy off camber stuff.
Click to expand...


Where in VA are you? Blocks are bad for axle wrap but Ford among other manufacturers have used them for decades. I just reassembled my 96 F350 and it has factory "lift" blocks in the rear with little arms that stick out for the bump stops. I got my last set of leaf springs from ATS in PA, great knowledge and catalog of all kinds of Ford leaf springs. I think in all honestly a pair of factory "lift" blocks and some nice Ubolts and you should be fine... I would be more worried about pinion angle than anything. 1 Tons are expensive to rebuild. I'm in Winchester, always willing to lend a hand.
 
6

68camaro

Any River...Any Place
Thanks eblau, I am in Richmond area but appreciate your offer. Local spring shop had change of heart and now says they can do something but might entail 1"-2" blocks. Big issue with blocks on Chinook is top plate rubbing tire and a concern about U-Bolts fitting correctly if top plate is ground down to avoid hitting tire.
Right now we'll get tires, front lift etc installed and then see what Spring shop can come up with to raise rear.

I think getting lift correct was concern spring shop had since they never do this, they've been around forever so hopefully they can get set up properly.

Worse case I order leaf springs from West if all else fails.
 
eblau

eblau

Adventurer
Cool,

I know a lot of shops just err on the side of caution and I guess we can't blame them for that. These seems pretty straightforward to me though... one question-

Where would the blocks potentially rub the tire?
 
ujoint

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
We have 6" rear springs made for RVs all the time. Email me with a weight and they'll be here in ~10 weeks.
 
6

68camaro

Any River...Any Place
ujoint said:
We have 6" rear springs made for RVs all the time. Email me with a weight and they'll be here in ~10 weeks.
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris, you were my plan B, I was going to stop by before Overland East. If local place can't do it this week, I'll contact you about getting made. As you know know my goal was to get ready by Overland East. Worst case is I do block solution to get down there but order and wait the 10 weeks for leaf springs.
 
O

Oldcarnut

Adventurer
Since you are getting custom springs made, be sure to load up the RV with EVERYTHING before taking it to the scales so you get a good weight setting for the springs.
Was amazed at the ride difference with weight matched springs instead of the overloaded stockers on my short bus.
 
6

68camaro

Any River...Any Place
Oldcarnut said:
Since you are getting custom springs made, be sure to load up the RV with EVERYTHING before taking it to the scales so you get a good weight setting for the springs.
Was amazed at the ride difference with weight matched springs instead of the overloaded stockers on my short bus.
Click to expand...

Great idea, I did weigh recently but will load up and do again. Thanks.
 
Bikersmurf

Bikersmurf

Expedition Leader
Bbasso said:
Get crazy here and let's corner balance our rigs :p
Click to expand...
YOU haven't?

Come on you're asleep at the wheel ;)



To level out my Rig, the spring shop added an extra 1" block on the drivers side. As it sits right now the drivers side is apx. 700 lb heavier. Once the build out is finished it will even out a bit, but time will tell. Since the drivers side was still a tad lower, it should be pretty even in the end.

A member did a right up on a rear spring flip to gain about 4" in the back. I'd be check it out if I were lifting it in the back.
 
jacobconroy

jacobconroy

Hillbilly of Leisure
OK...this might be a thread hijack..but just barely. :p

While we are on the subject, is there any chance in heck of getting lifted springs made for a 1987 Ford E350 Quadravan? It rides nearly level while empty, but the rear dropped considerably when I had four 35 inch wheels and tires in the back (400 lbs.??). I plan to start building the cabinetry in the rear this winter I just KNOW it's gonna have a saggy butt when I'm done. Insulation, cabinets, gear, roof rack and two awnings, plus whatever else I can fit in the beast.

I'm concerned because it already has lifted springs and I doubt they were factory.
 
6

68camaro

Any River...Any Place
From my research I would call Jeremy at Ujointoffroad in NC or Alcan Springs in CO. Both can make you springs you need.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
188,674
Messages
2,908,853
Members
230,892
Latest member
jesus m anderson

Members online

Total: 879 (members: 38, guests: 841)
Top