Any lowered vans out there would love to see pics

 

i have this pic of this one but no info on it

 

well it looks cool, I would like to lower my 86 shorty but its got kingpin front............


saw some pics of a lowered pre 75 van on another website for econlines, but none for newer ones.

 

 

I've seen a couple around Detroit but lowering Chevy/GMC vans (and old Astros) is far more common because of the front suspension design. In fact, the Scion XB had its original design based on customized and lowered Astro vans which are really popular in Asian countries. I am an old hot rodder and like the lowered esthetic with things like 1932 Ford rods and just about every kind of race car in the universe. Lots of lowered vans at the Autorama each year, but those are largely trailer queens.

If I wanted to lower a relatively modern truck, I'd do a short bed stepside/flareside or something. (I bought a brand new F100 shorty flareside in 1978, 300 inch six and 4 speed manual OD trans.) That would be cool lowered--lots more Chevy stepsides get lowered again because of suspension design.

It would cost a lot of money to lower a Ford van properly. What happens to payload? Only remedy might be a totally different front suspension with air bags to change ride height.

The last thing I want is for my 135" wheelbase van to get its belly hung up on a bump... I drive it in Michigan snow and on campsite access roads, etc. And I don't want to be this guy


George

 

I was waiting on the train! Dangit.

 

found this one last night after I read this thread.

 

Not lowered, but tired rear springs, and small tires, looks lowered my 1977 E100 3 speed on the column.

255/60R15 in the back and 225/70R15 front.

 

^^^ That's just antique grounds effects kit huh?

It does look lowered.

 

You are right the ford is the worst and the most expensive because of suspension design chassis tech makes 3" drop i beams for the ford vans but after shipping they are $600 I have talked to a lot of guys with ford vans and f150s and i have found that you can drop 3" to 4" on stock i beams and fix the camber with Adjustable camber /caster bushings now now this info is based on the info from trucks and vans with ball joints not kingpins I have every thing to lower my van 4 out back and 3 to 4 out front just waiting to get my wheels and the $ for a alignment I want to replace all my ball joints at that time also

 

here is some pics i have found

 

Subscribed. Once everything is sorted mechanically I hope to look into an airbag setup.

Anyone care to go into more detail about why the suspension design in the Ford's are not as desirable? I'm looking for terminology, etc so I can learn more about the differences. Thanks!

 

Twin I Beams are like swing axles where the front wheels swing thru a fixed arc when the suspension travels. Unless you change over the entire front suspension, air bags will not work. There is a possibility of modifying I beams to lower the vehicle but spring height would have to be part of the equation to keep the camber correct.

Ford's Twin I-Beam Front Suspension | Hemmings Motor News

It is a sturdy but primitive suspension design with the E vans being the last vehicle built with them, and the E van is now gone.

George

 

I have plans on bagging my van also how low do you plan on going?

 

I see. Thanks for the response.

I guess with my new understanding of the design I'll have to either reconsider entirely and just keep it a reliable cruiser or see what other options are out there.