Leaf Spring/Ride Questions...

[java]

Searched, read lots, still have some questions.

My rigs is an E350 based small winnebago, salem kroger 4x4 conversion. Built as an emergency vehicle for the local county. Haven't weighed it yet myself but title says scale weight is 11,440 lbs, but a fair bit of radios and gear were removed. Then some camping stuff added, so id bet its close. About 2" up travel, which seems normal for the F series large trucks. V10, leafs, no idea what leafs but leafs. They are also very flat/reverse arched. Is that a normal thing? Bilstien shocks all around. 215/85/18 E rated MT tires.

It rides ROUGH. Like the freeway is rough (not that we have great roads around here), I have gotten used to it, and its not bad on the freeways etc, but im afraid my wife will shoot me on a logging road.
If i had to guess they are either custom springs, or F350 ones. The rears are definitely a custom or Winnebago part. The rear seems to be better than the fronts but still stiff.

People seem pretty happy with the UJOR leafs, could this be a solution? I just needs different springs? I would be ok with a little lift if needed to get a different spring, but dont want to go much taller. The thing is huge already!

Or is this just the nature of the beast and I should find some suspension seats and ********....:snorkel:

 

[bknudtsen]

Which Bilstein shocks do you have? Also, what tire pressure are you running?

 

[java]

Which Bilstein shocks do you have? Also, what tire pressure are you running?

Old and yellow. Ill try to find a PN on them tonight. But it doesn't have the worn out shock bounce. 25k miles on the truck

60F, 65R dualies. Per the Winne sticker on the door pillar.

Thanks for any help!!

 

[bknudtsen]

You are welcome to take my UJOR van for a spin if you want something to compare.

 

[java]

You are welcome to take my UJOR van for a spin if you want something to compare.

Id love to some time!

 

[bknudtsen]

I'm switching to F,S,S off in a week, so anytime you are free.

 

[java]

I'm switching to F,S,S off in a week, so anytime you are free.

I will definitely have to take you up on that.

How does yours ride? I know they are a bit of different beasts, weight and size wise. like a full size truck? Stiffer? My DD is a 03 4runner with OME mid weight springs so its not real soft by any means.

 

[bknudtsen]

Not nearly as stiff as a full size p/u. Honestly, it acts more like a Jeep TJ than anything.

 

[java]

Not nearly as stiff as a full size p/u. Honestly, it acts more like a Jeep TJ than anything.

That would be fantastic. If i could get even to full size truck range id be happy, although I havent driven a full size truck in a while. Maybe im just spoiled.

 

[ujoint]

Post some pics of the front suspension. Are the shackles up front? Most S/K vans that I've seen don't have very good geometry up front. Short springs/etc. We may be able to help!

 

[java]

Yes shackles are up front I know its part of the problem.... Trying to work with what I have though.

Apologize in advance for the pics.... Its dark and pouring rain.... And seems Impossible without pulling a wheel off. Ill try to get some better ones this weekend, but we will be mostly driving it and skiing.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

Yes shackles are up front I know its part of the problem.... Trying to work with what I have though.

No big deal. With the flat leaf springs that you have, it is probably better to have the shackle in the front anyway.

Think about it; when the leaf is flat, the distance from the rear spring eye to the axle center line is the longest it will ever be. Hitting a bump will arch the spring and the distance from the rear eye to the axle center line will decrease and the axle will swing back - that is what you want for a smoother ride.

If you have a arched spring, the opposite holds true and a rear shackle will allow the axle to swing back on bump.

It is not too big a deal either way unless you have heavily arched springs and lots of travel - haven't seen any vans like that.

 

[java]

No big deal. With the flat leaf springs that you have, it is probably better to have the shackle in the front anyway.

Think about it; when the leaf is flat, the distance from the rear spring eye to the axle center line is the longest it will ever be. Hitting a bump will arch the spring and the distance from the rear eye to the axle center line will decrease and the axle will swing back - that is what you want for a smoother ride.

If you have a arched spring, the opposite holds true and a rear shackle will allow the axle to swing back on bump.

It is not too big a deal either way unless you have heavily arched springs and lots of travel - haven't seen any vans like that.

I guess that does make perfect sense. Never had flat springs before!

So are we thinking they are too stiff for the weight? Or is it a geometry problem? Or is it just what it is in a truck this size and weight?

Overall pic.

 

[Stitebunny]

Mine is an SK conversion also, without the rv. Rides the exact same. Talked to U joint and we pretty much concluded its the nature of the SK design.
It sounds like it could be converted to use his stuff. I hope to one day.
would love to meet up with you guys and see some other vans and compare the ride to mine.
Ill look for you in the ski lots!

 

[java]

Mine is an SK conversion also, without the rv. Rides the exact same. Talked to U joint and we pretty much concluded its the nature of the SK design.
It sounds like it could be converted to use his stuff. I hope to one day.
would love to meet up with you guys and see some other vans and compare the ride to mine.
Ill look for you in the ski lots!

Hmm ok. Sounds like seats may be an easier option than suspension if thats the case. Id love for it to ride nice but will probably be cost prohibitive, For now at least.

Yeah it seems there are a lot of van peeps in WA, we should do a GTG!