Lower rear of minivan?

[ShelGame]

I want to lower the minivan, but I still want to be able to tow the racecar on the open trailer. The front seems straightforward enough - Daytona struts and cut Minivan springs.

So, what are the options for lowering the rear of a minivan (~1.5") that WON'T comprimise load capacity? I looked at the lowering blocks, and I like the option due to the ability to use the big rear disk brakes. But, the car spindle is smaller and I don't like that for towing. I guess I could make blocks that just lower it and keep the rear drums. Seems like anything you do to the springs will just coprimise load capacity. What about the shackles? Any options there?

[turbovanman²]

Dearch is the easiest option and won't affect load capacity-use the HD springs plug get some HD shocks, I am using the Rancho adjustables, perfect for towing or light use as you can make them harder or softer.

Nothing wrong with the car spindles,

So you can do the adapter plate or use Dempey's method then adjustable shackles to raise it back up. I don't like the look of the plates though.

[ShelGame]

What does dearching cost? Where can I get it done? How much do I tell them to dearch them by to get it down 1.5"?

I was thinking I'd just do that, then add in some air shocks if I needed more height while towing.

I'd prefer to do the big disk/drop plate route - but I don't have the $$$ for the barkes right now. Maybe later...

[turbovanman²]

What does dearching cost? Where can I get it done? How much do I tell them to dearch them by to get it down 1.5"?

I was thinking I'd just do that, then add in some air shocks if I needed more height while towing.

I'd prefer to do the big disk/drop plate route - but I don't have the $$$ for the barkes right now. Maybe later...

Find a spring shop and tell them you want it lowered 1.5 inch's, they'll do the rest. Cost me $100 to get it done.

[ShelGame]

OK, here's another thought. What if I just remove a leaf to get the ride height down, then add in a helper spring? I assume the helper springs are semi-adjustable. So, that way I can get the rear down, and still have a higher spring rate.

Any opinions on this method?

I know I could do the same with air shocks. But, I just put shocks on the rear, and helper springs are cheaper than air shocks...

[Vigo]

Well, how are helper springs adjustable? You're talking about the kind that goes on top of the existing spring right?

[ShelGame]

Looks like they have u-bolts to clamp it to the existing spring. Seems like you can set the load on them by how far you tighten the u-bolts...

[Johnny]

BEST idea I saw at SDAC, was one of two things.
De-arch the springs
take leafs out to desired height.
THEN add air bags. NOT air shocks.
Air bags are a perfect solution.

Johnny

[turbovanman²]

BEST idea I saw at SDAC, was one of two things.
De-arch the springs
THEN add air bags. NOT air shocks.
Air bags are a perfect solution.

Johnny

Yep, dearch and air bags, that's what I was going to do, air bags that is but got broke.

Another option is cut the leaf spring and use it as a control arm, add a panhard bar and just use the air bags or make custom control arms,

My newest plan is a new top plate, I am bartering with a spring guy so it will lower me without dearching and still keep my load carrying, which has now taken a dump.

The only issue with taking out leaf springs is you kill the load carrying capacity.

[Vigo]

Didnt i post the air bag kit part # in your project log thread?

I plan on removing a leaf or two and adding the bags because i want the rear to ride a bit softer too. And also some of them shocks Simon's got

And then also a swaybar

[turbovanman²]

Didnt i post the air bag kit part # in your project log thread?

I plan on removing a leaf or two and adding the bags because i want the rear to ride a bit softer too. And also some of them shocks Simon's got

And then also a swaybar

Not that I recall, I'll have to go back and look.

[whywoody]

You should have a look at an AWD van rear axle,as they have the stub axle's higher relative to the leaf springs so there is enough room for the half shafts to slide in.Should drop about 1.5" right there at a guess.

[2.216VTurbo]

Airbags rule. I got mine from the folks who make them, in fact, I watched the guys in the back cutting out the rubber sheets and band them together in an air 'spring'. Cool stuff. I run like 3-4 PSI for regular street driving, this raises the rear of the Rampage just an inch or so but they will not bottom out because as they compress the pressure in the bag raises up proportionately. When I want to haul stuff 15 PSI works great, towing a car dolly 40 PSI worth of air. I can't say enough about how usefull they are on a Trucklett

https://www.universalairsuspension.com/store/

[Vigo]

Not that I recall, I'll have to go back and look.

Ah i meant ShelGame's thread, hehe. Here it is:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-59520/

[ShelGame]

Didnt i post the air bag kit part # in your project log thread?

I plan on removing a leaf or two and adding the bags because i want the rear to ride a bit softer too. And also some of them shocks Simon's got

And then also a swaybar

Oh, maybe. I didn't look there. From what I've seen, airbag kits are big $$$. Though, that one isn't too bad, I guess.

[turbovanman²]

Ah i meant ShelGame's thread, hehe. Here it is:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AIR-59520/

I am going to have to get that, sweet kit. The price is nice too. I wonder if it works with lowered vans?

[Reeves]

BEST idea I saw at SDAC, was one of two things.
De-arch the springs
take leafs out to desired height.
THEN add air bags. NOT air shocks.
Air bags are a perfect solution.

Johnny

I think you are talking about my van Johnny?

I didn't de-arch. I just removed the bottom overload spring, and then the spring above that. I then put the bottom overload spring back on.

I added air shocks and all was pretty good. The air shocks I put on are for a VW Beetle. Worked perfect. 2" shorter than stock.

I later added air bags from Air-Lift. Made a huge difference! Rides awesome.

I leave about 100 psi in the shocks, and the airbags I leave about 5 psi in for normal loads, and up to 30 or so for a trailer or a big load in the back.

Warren can tell you about the ride. We were recently on a couple hundred mile trip that included interstate and also some nasty back roads.

On the front I have K platform struts and springs. I wanted it slammed so I also cut the springs.

[Reeves]

Here's a pic from SDAC that someone took:

[Captain Chaos]

Thats P-I-M-P playa! lol

[Reeves]

That's exactly what we call it! The PIMP van! PLH!