I talked to an old mechanic recently about this same subject he said in the 70-80's that himself and friends did that all the time.. they just welded there own brackets for leaf springs. The only problem I'm having and with a couple the others that I have seen is, the tire clearance isn't very forgiving...
Lifted 2wd Vans
- Thread starter Maximus Ram
- Start date
dentedvw
Wire twister
For anyone still tuned into this thread, I just lifted my 2wd E350SD as well. Simple F350 spacers and longer shocks in front (I can get Napa part number of the shocks if anyone wants, they were about $40 each) and aluminum blocks in back, temporary. Prefer steel, so I will keep my eyes out for some. I have some 3.5 degree camber shims to put in up front, but haven't gotten to it yet, I also need to source longer shocks for the rear. I used new RV coded springs up front, and I think they are softer than the original springs. Ideally, I could have found some longer springs to use, but these came with my new suspension bits from Advanced Four Wheel Drive in SLC, where I bought it all off a new van that was being converted. My van was in a wreck, it's a salvage title, and it's suspension was wrecked. It drives good, needs alignment after I put in the camber shims and does what we needed, which was get a few inches taller to let us through some washes in the desert and give a bit of breathing room under the oil pan, avoiding rocks.
dentedvw
Wire twister
Well it measures a bit less than two inches. Forgot the number now, I think 1 3/4", or near abouts.
When you say a bit much, what do you mean? Too tall? Works for me, I don't need four inches for 265/75/16 tires. Just want to prevent the rubbing, and get a bit above the rocks and washes. I am sure I will find it's limits, it's not 4x4 after all. Perhaps one day though.
When you say a bit much, what do you mean? Too tall? Works for me, I don't need four inches for 265/75/16 tires. Just want to prevent the rubbing, and get a bit above the rocks and washes. I am sure I will find it's limits, it's not 4x4 after all. Perhaps one day though.
dentedvw
Wire twister
So the spacers are ok, I spent most of Sunday off roading it on trails, but the shocks are so long that the springs pop out occasionally. A real nuisance. Still, it's a proof of concept, and I know now that I am on the right track lifting the van a bit, but not a lot. It's not so tall that it's obnoxious or hard to use normally, and tall enough to give me enough clearance for our intended uses.
So, I had to stop and jack it up and put the springs back in three times.
Still haven't gotten to the camber correction. I need to though, it's going to start wearing the tires.
Short term, I will probably use some limiting straps, since there is no drive axle in front, I don't think I will miss the articulation. I could use a bit more in the back though, I didn't put longer shocks on out back yet. Only lost traction once, had to back up and move over a bit. I am using Terra Grappler tires, and they worked good in sand, rocks and silt yesterday.
Overall, I am satisfied with this direction so far.
So, I had to stop and jack it up and put the springs back in three times.
Still haven't gotten to the camber correction. I need to though, it's going to start wearing the tires.
Short term, I will probably use some limiting straps, since there is no drive axle in front, I don't think I will miss the articulation. I could use a bit more in the back though, I didn't put longer shocks on out back yet. Only lost traction once, had to back up and move over a bit. I am using Terra Grappler tires, and they worked good in sand, rocks and silt yesterday.
Overall, I am satisfied with this direction so far.
BajaSportsmobile
Baja Ironman
Why not go with longer coils with the same spring rate, or different for that matter? You really shouldn't be using the shock as a limit strap any way.
Dented VW:
My comment about a bit much: the spacers for the F series when used on an E result in about 1" more lift than when using the spacers made for the vans. This results in being unable to get a correct alignment, close, but not perfect.
I lifted mine about 2" with taller springs and was able to get a correct alignment. I'm also running 265/75 Terra Grapplers. Using stock shocks BTW.
Nice to see you having fun with your daughter. I have 3 girls myself.
My comment about a bit much: the spacers for the F series when used on an E result in about 1" more lift than when using the spacers made for the vans. This results in being unable to get a correct alignment, close, but not perfect.
I lifted mine about 2" with taller springs and was able to get a correct alignment. I'm also running 265/75 Terra Grapplers. Using stock shocks BTW.
Nice to see you having fun with your daughter. I have 3 girls myself.
Last edited:
I agree, but now that I'm thinking about it, what does Ford provide for travel limit? It's either the shock or the spring or maybe the tension created by the bushings, maybe it's all three.
The Camburg Bent Beam lift uses straps, but I'm pretty sure that the Action Vans lift does not.
I used P/N TTC 2814. They are taller and stiffer. But I don't recommend them unless you're a plumber with a van full of cast iron pipe fittings. Many have used spacers from Maxx Lift. Others have had Deavers make them a set of taller coils (look on the SMB forum) Action Vans apparently makes a lift kit for RSC vans that includes taller springs.