Raising the suspension hight

[clack]

Hi, I live in Mid devon and the roads around me are rough to say the least. Ive been toying with the idea of a country Van but Im not sure if I like the running cost and price of these things.
What id like to do Is raise my suspension and give it more of a 4x4 ride but with out the running gear. I dont need 4x4 the drive is more than what i need.

Any ideas??

Cheers C

[MinorMatt]

rear is easy, either add more leaves to the springs, make a spacer to go between the axle and springs or make 4 longer shackles.

The front would be limited to spacers between the subframe (ok its more of an axle) and the body.

If yours is a 5 stud van try fitting the springs from a 190 that will raise it up 2 - 3 inches

[clack]

Its a short wheel base 80.

So by adding another couple of leaves should sort the back. Will I need longer shocks??

[MinorMatt]

get the front and rear springs off a 190 then that will get the van higher!

Shockers should be fine

[AlanN]

What about the high centre of gavity pack that some Tourneos use or is that not high enough

[clack]

Ive not seen that (tourno pack) So does it raise the suspension and give a softer ride??

[clack]

The front springs are coil spring. Will they fit my front legs??

[Aardvark]

Beware! If you fit a set of 190 springs on your swb you will get more than a higher stance. It will be much stiffer. Great if you carry a load but crap on a wet roundabout or anything other than a dry surface when running empty.

[AlanN]

Tourneo is the MPV version of a Transit, some had what Ford call a 'high centre of gravity' suspension, it was just a longer spring and and arched leaf, couple of inches I suppose, oh and a soft ride...

Not sure if anyone has every wanted a set before, fits a MK4 or 5 I think, someone else will confirm that

[mr.blitz]

My 190 mk4 wind-foil luton came with 'high centre of gravity' suspension from the factory...so my VIN says.

That would suggest it fits a mk4 for sure.

[darkbluevanman]

get the front and rear springs off a 190 then that will get the van higher!

Shockers should be fine

I did just that!... well, with the fronts at least!.... looks like and old school 'scort draggin it's ass!

[M5WWW]

Beware! If you fit a set of 190 springs on your swb you will get more than a higher stance. It will be much stiffer. Great if you carry a load but crap on a wet roundabout or anything other than a dry surface when running empty.

Not my experience. I do have antilocks and traction control on the 80 but there is no evidence that its cut in at any time since I put 3 leaves on the back.

In truth the ride is much much better. The axle used to wind up on the exit of a corner or when pulling off and then throw the van forward when the force was overcome or another gear was taken.

Now the acceleration and traction out of corners is progressive and surprisingly there doesn't seem to be any penalty in ride quality even when empty. Driven within sensible limits its actually better.

Derek

[AlanN]

Here you go, what 190 leaves could do for you... but in my experiance of driving one, hard as hell when empty

[M5WWW]

Here you go, what 190 leaves could do for you... but in my experiance of driving one, hard as hell when empty

Mine is nowhere near that high with three leaves.

Could it be that its also had the doner's spring hangers fitted whiuch might be longer?

Derek

[AlanN]

From memory, Im sure it had more than 3 leaves, I could be wrong, but im sure it was 5