Soften up my ride

[IdaSHO]

Photos show a lot.

Way too many leafs, near flat arch, and some odd ball shackles.
Id be interested in seeing more photos of the shackles.

Also interested in a better photo showing the clearance between the leaf pack and the tie rods. That shot showing the passenger side makes the clearance look TIGHT.


You need fresh leafs springs, and fresh shocks.


Having what looks to be a king pin D60 (very good axle) using leafs, your best and simplest bet would be a fresh set of F350 leaf springs and shackles, and a good set of stiff shocks (like a kyb monomax)

Beyond that, it looks like you are overdue for a lot of maintenance just on the front end.
Tie rod ends look suspect, and it looks like at least one axle seal is blown.

 

[IdaSHO]

How do I determine the weight of the van? I recently changed tires and wheels from Falkin 265/70/16 to Bridgestone Duravis m700 same size but 17s. 65 psi running as suggested by commercial tire

find a scale and weigh it. Id assume the rig weighs between 8000 and 9000 lbs

Although 65PSI should be close to accurate at that weight.

 

[simple]

Would help to see a couple photos of the shackle from other angles. I cant tell if the springs are bolted to the front or back of the shackle. It looks like if bolted to the front of the shackle, the springs are too short and shackle angle is restricting movement. If bolted in the back hole then it looks like the bolt on the front of the shackle might be interfering with leaves upward travel. Just a guess from the one photo though.

 

[Arctic Travelller]

Would help to see a couple photos of the shackle from other angles. I cant tell if the springs are bolted to the front or back of the shackle. It looks like if bolted to the front of the shackle, the springs are too short and shackle angle is restricting movement. If bolted in the back hole then it looks like the bolt on the front of the shackle might be interfering with leaves upward travel. Just a guess from the one photo though.

It looks like his springs are sacked out. When there is more arch, the shackle will straighten up as the eye to eye distance on the spring becomes less. The shackle is in the rear, and the design works fine as far as I can tell. I would agree though, it does look like the spring could contact the forward bolt right now. Once everything is tightened up and resprung, it should handle just fine, mine does.

 

[philos]

+1 on it being an alright design in need of a little love and maintenance...
I'd go to a weigh station or a CAT scale in your area and weigh BOTH front and rear of your van. Make a couple calls to some quality leaf spring manufacturers (Atlas, Deaver, etc) and tell them your situation. A new set of custom "progressive" springs and shocks should do the trick, and should be way under a grand if you do the labor.

 

[Obieone]

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[Obieone]

+1 on it being an alright design in need of a little love and maintenance...
I'd go to a weigh station or a CAT scale in your area and weigh BOTH front and rear of your van. Make a couple calls to some quality leaf spring manufacturers (Atlas, Deaver, etc) and tell them your situation. A new set of custom "progressive" springs and shocks should do the trick, and should be way under a grand if you do the labor.

So you believe that the current length of springs are ok and shackles are not needed to be replaced?

 

[Obieone]

Photos show a lot.

Way too many leafs, near flat arch, and some odd ball shackles.
Id be interested in seeing more photos of the shackles.

Also interested in a better photo showing the clearance between the leaf pack and the tie rods. That shot showing the passenger side makes the clearance look TIGHT.


You need fresh leafs springs, and fresh shocks.


Having what looks to be a king pin D60 (very good axle) using leafs, your best and simplest bet would be a fresh set of F350 leaf springs and shackles, and a good set of stiff shocks (like a kyb monomax)

Beyond that, it looks like you are overdue for a lot of maintenance just on the front end.
Tie rod ends look suspect, and it looks like at least one axle seal is blown.

Not sure if I got another picture of the leaf pack and tie rod... will take some more. So "fresh set of f-350 springs and shackles" would be a junk yard (does not sound fresh) find or can one buy those new? that would also require finding someone to cut the old ones off and weld one the new hanger/shackles? The springs would also have to be the right width to fit the Dana 60?