Stiffer Coilsprings for Turbo Caravan

[turbo89mini]

Hello all. I just joined the forums this evening. I've noticed that there are quite a few questions about how to stiffen up the front end of a turbo caravan. I'd like to throw out an option. I am a mechanical engineer with an 89 turbo caravan that I recently did this conversion on. You can read all the details on my website (www.billetproof-engineering.com), but what I figured out is that you can use the coil springs from an 87-95 Ford Taurus.

I just swapped them in last week, and the improvement in ride (along with my new Gabriel Ultra shocks & all new spring mounts) is amazing!

Let me know what you guys think, and if you have any questions!

[glhs399]

Welcome, good write up on you van! I might give it a try on my van and see if I like it. I do a lot of hauling people, parts and towing with my van. It could use a little stiffer spring.

[turbovanman²]

Nice,

Any pics with the mods done? Did you cut them to relower it to stock height or just leave them alone?

[turbo89mini]

Nice,

Any pics with the mods done? Did you cut them to relower it to stock height or just leave them alone?

I took a picture of the ride height of the new vs. the old/stock ones. As I mentioned on my website, although the Taurus springs were supposed to lower the ride height by about 1/2" (compared to NEW stock springs), compared to the crappy OLD springs they actually RAISED the ride height 1". I took this to mean that the old springs had actually lost 1.5" of ride height. No spring cutting was required.

[turbovanman²]

I took a picture of the ride height of the new vs. the old/stock ones. As I mentioned on my website, although the Taurus springs were supposed to lower the ride height by about 1/2" (compared to NEW stock springs), compared to the crappy OLD springs they actually RAISED the ride height 1". I took this to mean that the old springs had actually lost 1.5" of ride height. No spring cutting was required.

Figured you might have cut it to put it back to where it was. 1.5 inch's is alot of sag, I honestly haven't seen any sag that much in the front.

What's your ride height, meausured from the ground to the fenderwell lip, front and back?

[JDAWG]

I would think if you wanted them stiffer you could get some from a van with a 3.3/3.8 with a od trans

[turbovanman²]

I would think if you wanted them stiffer you could get some from a van with a 3.3/3.8 with a od trans

I have some Heavy duty Spicer springs, would be interested to see how they compare. They made a difference but I am also running Koni's.

[turbo89mini]

I have some Heavy duty Spicer springs, would be interested to see how they compare. They made a difference but I am also running Koni's.

Any idea what the spring rate (lbs/in) on those are?

[turbo89mini]

What's your ride height, meausured from the ground to the fenderwell lip, front and back?

I just measured with the new springs. I have stock snowflake 15" wheels and 205/70R15 tires on. Measurement was taken from ground to fender lip at highest point.

Front Passenger Side: 30.5"
Front Driver Side: 30.25"

Rear Passenger Side: 30.25"
Rear Driver Side: 30.15"

[turbovanman²]

Any idea what the spring rate (lbs/in) on those are?

I'll see if I can dig up the number or find some specs.

I just measured with the new springs. I have stock snowflake 15" wheels and 205/70R15 tires on. Measurement was taken from ground to fender lip at highest point.

Front Passenger Side: 30.5"
Front Driver Side: 30.25"

Rear Passenger Side: 30.25"
Rear Driver Side: 30.15"

I checked my chart, lol. I measured a few stockers for comparison against mine, 30" front and 31" so your bang on the money,

[ShelGame]

30" is stock height? Or lowered height?

[turbovanman²]

30" is stock height? Or lowered height?

30" is stock height. Mine's at 27" front and 27.5" rear.

[ShelGame]

3" lowered?! Holy crap. I thought yours was only like 1.5-2" lowered...

[turbovanman²]

3" lowered?! Holy crap. I thought yours was only like 1.5-2" lowered...

It used to be, then the rear sagged a bit so I relowered the front to fit,

[JDAWG]

mine is 28.5 stock, i know the tires dropped it some, has a different size on it, and the struts are shot, its at 26.5 now