Help on rear lift on E350 RV??

[jacobconroy]

^As he said above, or look into adding airbags. Good excuse to get onboard air.

I have onboard air on the Jeep and left it when I stripped all the overland gear (to move it to the van). It's been very handy.

I think I will put air in the van, but I can't imagine how to put air bags in the van.

Good idea. I'll look into it. Thanks.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Chris @ujoint regularly adds air bags to the vans he builds. I’ve been impressed by the improvement in ride quality and the adjustablity in my 40 which has rear bags.

The biggest downside seems to be that they needed to be topped up regularly. Now with onboard air hooked up again, a regulator solved that problem. Height Ajustments are as easy as turning a knob.

 

[86scotty]

I lifted my RV with factory Ford blocks and longer Ubolts with 235/85's as you stated you are going with. It lifted me 2-3".

If you're in a decent sized city go to a truck spring shop. There's one here in Knoxville called Knoxville Spring. They don't do much on vans or RVs but can. A good truck spring shop will have a bunch of dump trucks and big rigs in the bays and guys working there with 2 teeth and lots of bad habits but they have the equipment to fab up springs and that's the goal. My shop has a U-bolt bender and can whip those up in 5 minutes, just need a measurement. They have not built custom springs for me but have told me they do it all the time.

 

[68camaro]

I lifted my RV with factory Ford blocks and longer Ubolts with 235/85's as you stated you are going with. It lifted me 2-3".

Action Van 4.5" front lift installed yesterday along with Duratrac 235/85/16's. Custom Ubolts being made locally for rear blocks, assuming all works I'll test for a few days and look to order leaf springs. I'll measure Monday but I should have 3.5" increase from lift plus 1" from bigger tires.

 

[Choff]

We put air bags on a older Ford F350 Motor home and worked great for adjustment and ride.
with 6 guys and lots of beer for infield Nascar Race!!

 

[68camaro]

As updsate with pics tomorrow, Action Van 4.5" front lift installed, going from 225/75 allseason to 235/85 Duratrac picked up total of 8" lift, not sure how we got this much though. Installer said we only needed two inch block in rear so Action Van made one up with Ubolts and overnighted. Upon inspection I noticed van was not even. The 2" block and tires only raised the rear 5", so the rear is 3" below the front.

I will be discussing this tomorrow with installer, but they measured it wrong. I think I can raise 1" by adjusting MorRyde Rubber Schackle system, but still leaves me 2" off. I guess I can just get a 4" block or just order new leaf springs as was plan all along. As far as cost to install 2" bliocks, I think they need to eat or reinstall 4" for free since their measurement was off considerably.

Do I sound reasonable with them, they are great guys and do good work but someone screwed up measurement?

I will take as is to Overland East and stop by Ujoint Monday after to discuss having them do leaf springs and couple other items.

 

[Bikersmurf]

It seems reasonable to ask them to explain what happened... and ask what they’re going to do to correct the discrepancy. If you’re not happy with the answer, ask them if they think you should be satisfied with their solution.

If in doubt ask to speak with the shop owner.

If they’re as good as they seem to be, start be asking questions, and don’t tell them what’s wrong. If they’ll see it from your perspective, they’re more likely to make it right.

 

[68camaro]

Turns out Rig was not 3” off as thought. Due to tight placement I couldn’t see lines and only went with measurements which were not accurate.

Here is pic of van almost done, plus pre-lift/tires pic. Just a few punch items and alignment left.

Looks so much better than old

 

[winmag4582001]

I have lift blocks in the back of my van and bounce it around Colorado. No issues.
You might want to go with bigger 10ply tires IMO, 235 are narrower than what my son runs on his old BMW..... 275 or 285/85 16 would be my choice.

 

[68camaro]

I have lift blocks in the back of my van and bounce it around Colorado. No issues.
You might want to go with bigger 10ply tires IMO, 235 are narrower than what my son runs on his old BMW..... 275 or 285/85 16 would be my choice.

I agree, bigger would be better but I would have needed 6" lift plus other modifications since this is dually. It all about compromises so I think I hit good middle ground. I am on east coast and it was really better ground clearance I was looking for, and with this set up I think I will be fine. If I convert to 4x4 down the road, then yes, I would go with 285's on 6" lift.

 

[68camaro]

Finally got my front and rear lift on. For front went with Action Van 4.5" lift kit, rear I only needed two inch block and Action Van was able to hook me up with complet set-up. We had to do fabrication to top plate to get plate to not hit tires and installers did great job. Running Duratrac 235/85/16 tires.

Since I only needed 2" rear block I decided against getting custom leaf springs.

Along with lift got from Action Van Fox shocks, Fox steering stabilizer and 2008 style radius arms. Action Van was gtreat to work with.