My experiences with lowering a connect.

[belly]

Mk1 Focus RS 2.0 litre four pot lump 1250kg

Mk2 Focus RS 2.5 five pot lump 1467kg

So obviously the mk2 is heavier and with 19's fitted it would sit higher so that's probably why the mk2 rs springs are shorter and because it's heavier they must have higher poundage springs ! The roof heights between the standard mk2 Focus and mk2 might be the same but are they measuring the spoiler on the RS ? So if your running a lwb or heavy the mk2 rs springs might be best and if you run light or want to deck it then the mk1 rs springs might be better yeh or ney ?

Oh and a Connect is around 1415kg (swb 200)

[connect_4]

Mk1 Focus RS 2.0 litre four pot lump 1250kg

Mk2 Focus RS 2.5 five pot lump 1467kg

So obviously the mk2 is heavier and with 19's fitted it would sit higher so that's probably why the mk2 rs springs are shorter and because it's heavier they must have higher poundage springs ! The roof heights between the standard mk2 Focus and mk2 might be the same but are they measuring the spoiler on the RS ? So if your running a lwb or heavy the mk2 rs springs might be best and if you run light or want to deck it then the mk1 rs springs might be better yeh or ney ?

Oh and a Connect is around 1415kg (swb 200)

That's great info, i really appreciate some good input to this.

Based on what you say i might go down my local breakers yard and get hold of some standard MK2 springs and put them on the Connect to see how much, if any, it drops the front by. The standard Connect springs won't be anywhere near as stiff as the MK2 RS ones so they night drop the front more ?

If it lowers the front by , say -30mm , then this will be a very cheap way of lowering the front.

We shall see - i'll keep this thread updated as i find out these things.

cheers

Andy

[belly]

I was going to suggest it might be worth trying out normal Focus springs ! The RS's are aimed purely at out and out performance with the potential for track work BTW i wouldn't mind either a mk1 or mk2 But for a Connect there spring rates could be the prob ? How about mk1 ST 170 springs ? Lighter car so not as high poundage springs but still a sporty model with larger wheels taken into account and the Connect's thicker heavier diesel block might drop it some more ? All food for thought

[belly]

Connect 4 sorry forgot you want to experiment with mk2 Focus springs, how about the zetecS tdci springs maybe ? 1.6 diesel lump so similar to the Connect but again with a sporty design !

[connect_4]

I was going to suggest it might be worth trying out normal Focus springs ! The RS's are aimed purely at out and out performance with the potential for track work BTW i wouldn't mind either a mk1 or mk2 But for a Connect there spring rates could be the prob ? How about mk1 ST 170 springs ? Lighter car so not as high poundage springs but still a sporty model with larger wheels taken into account and the Connect's thicker heavier diesel block might drop it some more ? All food for thought

I think everyone agrees that the MK1 focus springs fit the connect leg with the addition of the top cup.

I'm trying to show that the MK2 springs fit too but WITHOUT the need for the MK1 top cup.

I will try to get hold of a MK2 standard spring and measure it, ie the height, the coil wire diameter and the number of coils, at least this will give an idea on what the spring rate will be ?

I have a MK2 focus so i'll probable take off the front spring if, i can't get hold of any, to try them on the connect, obviously i'd rather get hold of a set from a scrap car so i don't have to do double the work and take mine off.....

thanks very much

Andy

[connect_4]

Connect 4 sorry forgot you want to experiment with mk2 Focus springs, how about the zetecS tdci springs maybe ? 1.6 diesel lump so similar to the Connect but again with a sporty design !

No problems mate.........

Makes sense about the Zetec idea, this requires me to do some detective work but i think in the long run it will be worth it.

Also it was mentioned in an earlier post that maybe the Mondeo MK3 springs might fit, so there are options to work with.

cheers for the info.

Andy

[Drizz]

Did anything come of this?

[Kenton]

"USE MY METHOD WHICH IS TO JUST BUY SOME STANDARD FOCUS MK2 LOWERING SPRINGS TO LOWER THE VAN BY HOWEVER MUCH YOU WANT - NO NEED TO GET ANY DIFFERENT TOP SPRING CUPS AS THE TRANSIT CONNECT ONES FIT THE FOCUS MK2 SPRINGS EXACTLY."

Hi guys, just thought i would add to this old thread.

I have today, successfully lowered the front of my 05(54) T230 LWB connect using this suggestion!
Worked like a charm and the springs are a fantastic fit, and nothing to change. I bought a set for a MKII Focus 1.8 TDCI @ 35mm
These fit perfectly and feel great - just the right amount of firmness.

Getting the rear leaf springs professionally lowered next weekend, so will post up pics if anyone is interested!

Many thanks for the time, effort and research that went into starting this thread to Connect_4!

Many pics and a proper introduction of myself to follow shortly. (been lurking too long!)

[Mc T]

..yes please! I'm looking forward to your update. Maybe pics before and after? And i'm your curious to your setting of the ride height and choice of rear shocks. After the rearaxle swap even with shorter shocks it will be a bit strange bouncy ride on hand paved roads. Your choice of shocks makes a difference supress that bud i think that the problem is of the steep angle of the shocks after swapping the rearaxle.

[Kenton]

..yes please! I'm looking forward to your update. Maybe pics before and after? And i'm your curious to your setting of the ride height and choice of rear shocks. After the rearaxle swap even with shorter shocks it will be a bit strange bouncy ride on hand paved roads. Your choice of shocks makes a difference supress that bud i think that the problem is of the steep angle of the shocks after swapping the rearaxle.

Hi, no problem!

I am not swapping, or flipping the rear axle, as the guys who can do this need mine to work from (being an LWB - not so many axles like this in stock ready) so as i use my van daily for work, loosing it for a week held up on axle stands, does not work for me. I am taking the van to a leaf spring specialist to have them re-calibrated (in essence - lowered) The shocks should be ok, as the Axle will be in the same position to where it is now, so may not be forced to up-rate, or change them. I will see what happens! If i do need to, the advice is to fit Astra H estate rear shocks, dunno if that is JUST for the people who flip the axle, or anyone with a lowered connect?...

Pics and findings will all be in the post asap.

Once again,big Kudos to Connect_4 for the original post, and research, and all the rest of the gang pitching in as ever.

K.

[Drizz]

I used beetle shocks on the rear of mine. Worked a treat!

[Kenton]

Nice one Drizz, i will bear that in mind and look into it!