Up-rating rear springs

[Anton2k3]

Hey guys,

Ever since I converted my van to 2.5td, and put the mk5 front springs on my mk3, the rear looks to be squatting, with the front higher than it used to be. Looking under the van, with just the weight of the camper conversion, the rear springs are flat, rather than 'sprung' in a arc shape. So I was thinking I need to either add a leaf, or get some new springs, 3+1 (as currently 2+1). Do you think current springs are worn out (if thats possible!?) or just need to increase ride height by adding a leaf??

Thanks

Anthony

[GBBiker]

So how many leafs do you currently have on each side? 2 or 3?

The high centre of gravity leafs from a 190 should fit, they are 3 piece leafs. You will probably need to modify shackles. I'm sure one of the guys has done something like that to a MK3, no doubt they'll be along in a min

[Anton2k3]

I currently have 2+1 (2 main leafs, and 1 'helper' short leaf). So you think I dont need to necessarily increase the amount of leafs, but change for higher centre gravity ones?

Thanks,

Anton

[GBBiker]

Should do the trick, although you may need to change the shocks as well.....


Have a goosey at some of the MK3 threads in the Owners vans section, you may find something there.

[mr.blitz]

I posted a similar message to this a week or so ago. But i'm loving 'em so much i gotta tell the world!!!

I have a mk4 '93 190 EF...the rear leafs are 2+1 i think (3500kg /5500kg gross). I converted it to a motorhome and after all the building work was completed, water and gas tanks loaded and full, all equipment onboard etc i noticed that my rear leafs were worryingly low. The bump stop was only an inch or so above the axle. I looked into a new set of leafs but was very aware that with a constant load onboard, even with upgraded springs the van would be very 'springy' so to speak. Bouncing back a lot when the springs are compressed, when walking in the back as well as when going over speed check bumps etc.

I ended up getting a Dunlop air assister spring kit from Marcle Leisure. It comprises of two air springs that fit between the axle and chassis, and two brackets for each side that fit onto the axle and chassis for the air spring to attach to. There was no drilling involved, and i installed it in a day. As well as giving me an extra 5000lb of possible weight on the rear springs, i gained 8+ inches of ride height at 50psi (max psi for the air bags i have is 100psi, 120psi peak).

The price was about £500 all in. The springs are individually controllable (left and right) so i can level the van if i need to. The stability of the van is incredible. The van does not bounce at all, it is very firm when in transit but soaks up any bumps and shocks that i would have felt through the old leaf setup.

The only problem is that when i spoke to Dunlop in Holland, they told me that the frequency of people asking for twin wheel kits for mk3/4/5 transits is approx once every 4 years and they are no longer making a kit that fits the mk3/4/5 twin wheel transits. I bought the last one.
So if you have a twin wheel you may need to look at a different company.

That said...

I've seen some amazingly cheap leaf springs on eBay recently...even a brand new set...you could probably do the job for half that price. If you need new shocks too, and are gonna pay someone to install everything...it may be worth thinking about an air kit.

[MinorMatt]

Nadjenka may have some 190 springs