What have I done!!!

[darkbluevanman]

There's nothing more I like than a slammed tranny, pref swb low roof... seeing as I have a medium roof and broke a front spring, I thought I'd replace them with 190 fr springs... I did and it jacked it up!! of course I expected it would but it made the arse end look saggy, so I thought I'd fit some 150/190 leafs.....



Quite a bit high, poss too much now (should've just fitted a spacer to the std leafs!) also the axle seems to sit further foward?.... on the plus side, the headlights are now lined up (pointing in space before!) and whilst it was jacked up I noticed the sender unit plug wasn't fitted on the tank! had the van 3 years, fuel gauge was reading full all the time!!!, thought the sender was goosed... fuel gauge works now!

[darkbluevanman]

Oh, and popped some new rear shocks on..... though they look like they're close to their limit.... MED LWB vans must have longer shocks!

[Nadjenka]

150/190 leafs should be fitted on 6 stud axle. And six stud axle vans have the rear wheelarches wider Now you see why... To make it look right, you would have to replace the inner and outer arches for the wider ones, but that's just too much hassle IMO...

[darkbluevanman]

Bugger... the more I look at it the more it's annoying me... gonna swap back 2moro, but add the third leaf from the 190 springs to the std 80 spring, making 'em a 4 leaf ....the 3rd leaf on the 190 springs if a totally diff size, and quite thicker, though it the camber of the leafs that''s making it sit high, not the 3rd leaf, that extra leaf and thickness 'should' give me what I'm looking for

[AlanN]

That will be perfect for maintaince, no ramps/stands

[darkbluevanman]

That will be perfect for maintaince, no ramps/stands

Aye.... if thas 10st with a six pack .... I just about slithered under with 3 ton axle stands sat on breeze blocks ....

Anyway, with only 1h 45m of daylight left, I decided to swap 'em over!!!.... and managed it now got it's orig 80 leafs, with the 3rd 190 leaf added (now a 4 leaf!) and it's bang on, post a pic 2moro..

[MrMPuk]

That axle looks like it's on the piss now as well.

[darkbluevanman]

Can't be Puk, has locating bolts on leafs... just pulled it forward, looks odd... Anyway heres what I've settle for:




Just about right now, a little nose heavy, here's the spring combo... bit gutted really as I had the 190 springs shot blasted and paint and fitted four new bushes!!

[darkbluevanman]

Suppose we better see all three....

Std 80 rear (front has 190 springs fitted):



190 rear leafs fitted:



Back to 80 leafs + the 3rd leaf from the 190 leafs:

[AndyG]

Now that looks a lot better
But isn't the front going to be a bit too stiff and jiggly

[darkbluevanman]

Now that looks a lot better
But isn't the front going to be a bit too stiff and jiggly

Suprisingly not andy!.... feels right! not harsh at all.... The back feels better too now, with those 190 springs, it wasn't hard just a bit wollowy... could've probablt left that old 80 third leaf off (that 190 3rd leaf did the trick)... I left it on just to give that little extra height, but it was only about 15mm....

[AndyG]

Did you fit new or used springs
Were they from a bus or van

The reason I'm asking is that I'd like to beef mine up (height wise) at the front, but don't want to ruin the ride quality

[darkbluevanman]

leafs were used, off a long six studder van (I think?.. only saw front of van) they were off when I collected, the part number was 99XX-XXXXX ?? as mentioned, had 'em blasted and fitted 4 new bushes, in the end, just robbed the 3rd leaf of 'em.... If you mean front springs? the were new from t'bay, old ford stock listed as 2.9, 2.5D long, they were a lot thicker than the std springs but a bit shorter!

I turned a couple of tools to fit the bushes, that locate in the bush to prevent the tool slipping, also stops damage to the rubber, anyone can borrow these if need be, though you obviously need a big ass press to get 'em out! (and a couple of hefty assistants to hold the leafs... my missus and daughter in my case )

[AndyG]

Just the fronts in my case

[toolless]

well this thread has rely given me an understanding as to what to do
thanks for posting it
just one quiry though

I see how you have added a leaf under the leaf pack
but is the leaf not the wrong way round, there is a big gap between the 3rd and 4th spring