Lowered my connect.

[Tuug]

Yes the suspension is a part of the test and by altering the weight you can carry you should have the carrying capacity changed to a lower amount.

Well thats if you do it by the book.
It is classed as down rating the suspension.

Runs to take cover from all the nuts and bolts getting thrown

[Wobby]

The spring is stiil supported in the same way(u bolts) as the original,just from a different side.

I can't see how that is correct? Its not supported in the same way, as standard the spring sits on top of the axle plate and the U bolts only hold it in position.

With the mod all the weight is onto the U bolts as the spring is "hung" under the plate. If i did this and carried weight i would look to upgrage the U bolts in both diameter and tensile strength.

Must admit they do look much better with this mod, i would happily do it if i didn't carry significant weight

[van mann]

The spring is stiil supported in the same way(u bolts) as the original,just from a different side.

I can't see how that is correct? Its not supported in the same way, as standard the spring sits on top of the axle plate and the U bolts only hold it in position.

With the mod all the weight is onto the U bolts as the spring is "hung" under the plate. If i did this and carried weight i would look to upgrage the U bolts in both diameter and tensile strength.

Must admit they do look much better with this mod, i would happily do it if i didn't carry significant weight

The weight of the rear is not held in place by the u bolts.The axle takes all unsprung weight.Thel leaf springs are there to dampen the rebound force.The u bolts do only 1 job.(hold the leaf spring to the axle).If you take the springs off, the bump stops on the chassis will sit on the axle and take the full weight.As standard the springs pull up ,when modded the springs push up.

This is a modification that has been used for years on FORD axle/leaf spring set up.It,s the same method that Geoff at CHORLEY STREET GARAGE uses and he,s 1 of the top transit connect modders in the country.
Please don't scare monger people into thinking that this is an un-safe modification.

[Brit 50]

The spring is stiil supported in the same way(u bolts) as the original,just from a different side.

I can't see how that is correct? Its not supported in the same way, as standard the spring sits on top of the axle plate and the U bolts only hold it in position.
With the mod all the weight is onto the U bolts as the spring is "hung" under the plate. If i did this and carried weight i would look to upgrage the U bolts in both diameter and tensile strength.
Must admit they do look much better with this mod, i would happily do it if i didn't carry significant weight

The weight of the rear is not held in place by the u bolts.The axle takes all unsprung weight.Thel leaf springs are there to dampen the rebound force.The u bolts do only 1 job.(hold the leaf spring to the axle).If you take the springs off, the bump stops on the chassis will sit on the axle and take the full weight.As standard the springs pull up ,when modded the springs push up.
This is a modification that has been used for years on FORD axle/leaf spring set up.It,s the same method that Geoff at CHORLEY STREET GARAGE uses and he,s 1 of the top transit connect modders in the country.
Please don't scare monger people into thinking that this is an un-safe modification.

Yes the axle takes all the unsprung weight, that's what axles do. No the springs do not dampen the rebound force, shock absorbers do that job. In the axles original position yes the u bolts hold the axle to the springs BUT you have changed that, with the flipped axle ALL the force acting on the springs is being done through the u bolts. In compression (when you hit a bump) the axle moves upward, originally the axle would push, through the mounting plate, the springs up. With a flipped axle the axle moves up and the only way it can act on the springs is by pulling them up using the u bolts. Their job description has changed completely and therefore their specs should be considered, upgrading the bolts should be a given as they are not being used for what they were originally designed, it's not scare mongering, just basic engineering. With all due respect maybe if you do not understand how vehicle suspension works and the forces involved or engineering then possibly you should not be selling this stuff as you are leaving yourself open to legal problems if god forbid something should happen.

[van mann]

This is not my design,i have just replicated what has been used on the van lowering scene for more than 30 years.I suggest you read chorley street garages thread on PASSIONFORD if you wish to know about transit connect engineering.

Please start your own thread about the dangers of lowering a connect van and stop ruining mine.

[Tuug]

I think you hit the nail on the head there .

This is not my design,i have just replicated what has been used on the van lowering scene for more than 30 years.I suggest you read chorley street garages thread on PASSIONFORD if you wish to know about transit connect engineering.

Please start your own thread about the dangers of lowering a connect van and stop ruining mine.

The dangers hmmmm i think they are all part of the topic if lowering causes dangers lets hear about them ...

[L200Lee]

In no way disputing the design, but what if you fitted longer U bolts, bolted to both plates and a slightly thicker dia of bolt?

[Mylee]

For everyone scare-mongering this thread, can you please advise me, of the failures you know about caused by this mod, thanks.

[gt_addict]

This might be a dumb idea and im no engineer but couldnt you just weld the top leaf spring onto the underside of the axle then it would always be supporting the weight as if it was on top?

[Wobby]

For everyone scare-mongering this thread, can you please advise me, of the failures you know about caused by this mod, thanks.

I wasn't scare mongering, just pointing something out thats true.

I only pointed it out as someone on here asked the question about carrying lots of weight. If i did the mod to my van (always heavily loaded and regularly draging a trailer across rough ground on construction sites) my opinion is that the U bolts will break.

the loading area has been changed and is significantly weaker.

Surely these opinions are acceptable on this forum? I don't think its ruining the post, i think its a cracking mod and i'm glad someone is making the bits.

Sorry if i have offended anyone

[Wobby]

In no way disputing the design, but what if you fitted longer U bolts, bolted to both plates and a slightly thicker dia of bolt?

Have you ordered a set Lee? Will look nice with the bigger alloys you've got fitted.

[L200Lee]

Yep! Ordered me a set, when it's fully rigged up I'm just gonna run around what I need, instead of taking all my tools all the time. Granted I must only carry 180-200kgs but it does my head in, plus minimise theft risk

[Tuug]

Its not about scarmongering

If you are going to lower suspension will you tell your insurance company they will probably ask can we see an engineers report. ( errr nope whats that ? )

They may also ask is it a recognised ford modification. ( errrrr nope no official tests done on the modification )

Also they will probably ask what is the vehicles carrying capacity with this modification and ? ( Errrr yes but dont know how much less it can carry ) has the capacity plate been changed on the vehicle and logbook ?

But you wont tell your insurance company and when something goes wrong and they void your insurance you will scream, blue murder..

If thats scaremongering so be it .....it the legalities that you should be concerned about ..

[GKandR4CH]

This might be a dumb idea and im no engineer but couldnt you just weld the top leaf spring onto the underside of the axle then it would always be supporting the weight as if it was on top?

That is exactly what I am going to do. So it will bolted and welded.
Just need these front springs.

[Honey monster]

When you heat spring steel, you take the carbon out of it, and it causes it to become super brittle, like glass.. with round bar spring steel, the carbon count is lower than for leaf springs. If you wanted to, you "could" weld it, ("could" because you never really want to reheat tempered steel at all.) let it cool, then get it red-hot with a torch and quench it WITH OIL, never quench spring steel with water.