Soften up my ride

[k9lestat]

Is it just me? One of the shack mounts looks pretty scary to me. I couldn't see any Picts but one.

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[Pinnacle Campers]

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.

I believe f350 springs are 54" long, his are 46", could end up with some fab work.

(There is a CAT scale at the Broadway/I-84 burns bros truck stop,I prefer, pacific recycling on emerald is $4, north of horseshoe bend s. Bound hwy 55 there is a free scale.)

I live down the street from the the OP
The left front shock is blown for sure I can/could wiggle the top in its mount.

I recommend having Boise spring works either rebuild those springs or build new ones to be 2" higher (level), have them put shocks on (F+R), check for working order of the shackles, etc., and do the neccessary maintenance items.

did you mention how much you picked this up for?

 

[IdaSHO]

I believe f350 springs are 54" long, his are 46", could end up with some fab work.

I wouldnt have it any other way.

And no way would I recommend rebuilding a set of questionable leafs when you can buy brand new leafs for a know application for just a few hundred dollars.

A bit of fab work to fix the already suspect shackles, and bolt up new leafs. Done.

 

[philos]

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

Yeah, I would clean up those shackles a bit.


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[BajaSportsmobile]

Best approach is to find a good spring shop, they can fix your springs or offer you new ones.

The biggest need is correct shocks after the springs are done.

"F350" springs are not the solution.

P.s. Put a dab of grease on the bottom of both of your rubber bump stops and drive it as you would normally, but stop and check often to see if it has bottomed and transferred the grease to the pad - I think you will be surprised at the results, no, I know you will.

 

[Obieone]

 

[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 they will make custom springs to fit my current hanger/shackles

 

[Obieone]

So I think I got up some more pics with better angles of the shackles I'm curious if anyone can tell me specifically what needs to happen with the shackles?

Brian... I fixed that shock ... Needed new bushing, I had someone fix it. Which brings up another question, the guy who fixed shock bushing felt that the angle of the shock was not good and it pushed the shock in a bad direction causing the previous bushing to wear out, thoughts?

I also have an issue as you can see in the photo with fender Rub when tire is turned about halfway I turn it all the way it's fine. I am hoping with new springs they will raise the front end up a couple inches and this won't be an issue but may still have to trim the fender?

Thanks for everyone's input, I'm learning a ton

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

PM sent.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

I have 98 chev 3500 from advanced and also not pumped on the front end.

Have been considering doing what you are looking into- new springs- as mine seem to be flat or close to reverse arch.

Any recommended spring shops near Portland.

 

[philos]

So they will make custom springs to fit my current hanger/shackles

yup.

 

[Arctic Travelller]

So I think I got up some more pics with better angles of the shackles I'm curious if anyone can tell me specifically what needs to happen with the shackles?

The design of your shackles is fine. Once they are apart you will see if there are any parts that need to be replaced due to wear, probably just new bolts. The springs will have new bushings. You also need to get after all that rust.

 

[Mwilliamshs]

...(There is a CAT scale at the Broadway/I-84 burns bros truck stop,I prefer, pacific recycling on emerald is $4, north of horseshoe bend s. Bound hwy 55 there is a free scale.)...

Wondering about the weight of a truck, I called a recycler near me and they wanted $4 for a weighment. I just grabbed an old bed frame from an apartment dumpster on the drive over and they weighed the truck as I drove in, I threw the bed frame on their scrap pile, and they weighed me as I drove out. Cost me nothing and actually paid me $2 which I spent on a coffee and doughnut at their pay window. :coffeedrink:

 

[philos]

Wondering about the weight of a truck, I called a recycler near me and they wanted $4 for a weighment. I just grabbed an old bed frame from an apartment dumpster on the drive over and they weighed the truck as I drove in, I threw the bed frame on their scrap pile, and they weighed me as I drove out. Cost me nothing and actually paid me $2 which I spent on a coffee and doughnut at their pay window. :coffeedrink:

Cheap bastid level 9000... I love it!!!! ...and, please don't take any offense at being called a cheap bastid from me, it's meant as a compliment.

 

[Teamoatmealpie]

P.s. Put a dab of grease on the bottom of both of your rubber bump stops and drive it as you would normally, but stop and check often to see if it has bottomed and transferred the grease to the pad - I think you will be surprised at the results, no, I know you will. [/QUOTE]

Are you saying the springs are too stiff and thus not enough movement? Or that the shocks have too much compression dampening?


My issues are very similar - as the OP, and from same builder - but on a chevy with shackles in the rear. And has rancho 9000's. washboard sucks- street is bumpy.