I faced this same dilemma recently, couldn't find anyone knowledgeable about front coils for the E vans-----mine is a '00 E250, loaded to about 7800 as a daily driver. Finally thought to just order the Ford versions (cost about $105 ea MSRP) until I talked to my favorite spring shop.

For a total of $305 out the door I had two new replacement springs installed. At 250K miles the old ones were quite tired and even though no noticeable sagging before it was obvious while driving it was time to change them.

The only part number listed was a CC860 which may or may not translate into something you guys can use for reference. I would suggest talking to a good heavy truck spring shop rather than looking online since they'll have hands on practical experience--and might be cheaper than expected too. I know in my case I was prepared to spend at least $200 more than I did and they did all the work!

For my needs the variable rate vs constant isn't an interest or concern because "comfort" isn't what I need or want---control and good handling is though. The ride is not bad, no front end diving during braking, no wandering or severe understeer on freeway ramps etc.

I'm always shocked we van owners aren't better served like the F series guys but it seems to just not interest many aftermarket manufacturers---sad for us indeeed!

 

I know this an old thread, but just wondering if anyone had a conclusion to this?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

The OP and most others in this thread no longer participate so no nothing as an update or fix for the issue.

Are you having the same sort of problem? If so its helpful knowing your year, GVWR, tire size and type along with load range, whether you have a factory rear sway bar, condition of the front sway bar and it's I-Beam bushings. Also helpful to know what your van weighs as its driven most often.

Now aren't you glad you asked?

 

Thanks JWA. I guess we'll start a new conversation within the old thread and continue on.

Van is a 2000 E150 with a Braun under vehicle wheelchair lift. It has 36,000 miles on it and has not been driven at all since 2011. It's spent it's entire life in a garage in the desert southwest and is probably as close as you can come to a "new" 2000 E150. The rubber suspension components are suspect at this point. It also does not have a raised roof but does have a 2" body lift to accommodate the dropped floor where the second row seats would be. GVWR is 7,000lb. Looks like curb weight is 5,000lb and the lift of course adds several hundred pounds. We don't have a wheelchair yet, but when we do that will also add several hundred pounds. So let's say 6,000lb plus.

My suspension plans include Helwig sway bars front and rear, new front suspension bushings, and upgrade to 16" wheels with 255/65 tires in the correct load rating.

I'm trying to figure out what to do with the springs. The front seems really low as there is only a 1" gap between the top of the I-Beams and the bump stops on the frame. The wheelchair lift is also only 5" off the ground at the front edge. I can't find any specs on ride height however.

Another issue is the rear springs. The company that performed the wheelchair conversion replaced the second leaf from the top of the pack with a stiffer one. They had to cut the ends of the leaf off to get it to fit though so there are no plastic tip inserts on it and it's metal on metal. I'd like to replace the rear packs but am not sure what to use.

Ultimately, I'd like to raise the front up to match the rear and increase the clearance under the lift. I'd like the rear height to stay where it is but with a correctly built spring pack. I can't go too high though as I still need it to fit in the garage and it just clears in the rear now.

Do you know what the ride height specs are?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

Hi Shawn,
I do not know if this will help, but I found this document which specifies frame and CG dimensions. Get a strong pot of coffee going because it is dry reading. jim
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...00/inc_veh.pdf

 

Shawn you've got a lot of different things going on---I'd contact Junior at ATS Springs here---he's a sponsoring vendor who might be able to answer your questions without thinking too much about it.

Not sure how your climate affects the OEM bushings over time but generally the axle pivot and radius arm parts should be replaced with urethane. Energy Suspension is my favorite brand, have used them on at least 5 different E250's so far.

Hellwig is an excellent choice for both front and rear bars---not cheap but well worth the cost IMHO---I also use them. Budget-wise for the most part the stock front bar is okay but benefits greatly with Energy Suspension bushings in the I-Beams. Any brand rear bar is a huge improvement in handling, Hellwig more to my liking due its larger OD and stiffness.

For now I'd get the ride height and spring issues worked out before thinking about tires and wheels. I don't know what the aftermarket offers in a 16" wheel for the E-150 chassis which should be 5 lug from the factory. Others here might have more experience with this conversion or upfit.

For now I'd get the spring issue and ride height worked out. The lift installer might have good ideas on suspension modifications required for their lift.

I will say my 2000 E-250 was originally equipped as a wheel chair lift transport but no dropped floor. The ride height is definitely higher than other E-250's. It appears the springs were changed or modified to create the increase, front coils NOT stock.

Anyway hope some of this helps............

 

Thanks Jim. I didn't see anything in there that gave specs on ride height. I appreciate the reply though.

I do have the factory service manual and it doesn't have specs either. It just says that if ride height is suspect to swap a new spring in one side and see how much higher it ends up than the other side. If the difference is great enough it says to also replace the other side. I've never heard of such a thing!

Thanks JWA. I'll give him a call. I like Energy Suspension products as well and had them on the front of my old I-beam F150. And yes, there are a few things to sort out for sure. Should be a good van once it's all done though.

I'll post back here with more info once I know. Might be a little bit as I now have the van in storage as well. Don't really need it yet and it's too hot here to work on it anyway at the moment.

Shawn

 

I found another boring document BUT this one has the dimensions published by Ford for use by the shops that finish incomplete Econolines.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...2000/92_93.PDF

and

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...00/102_103.PDF

jim

 

Thank you Jim. That last document you have there appears to be it. Looks like they're referencing the height of the floor in the rear to the ground. I'm not seeing a good way to transfer that dimension to the front though as it looks like the floor slopes down as it goes forward?

 

Yep, definitely not the kind of data easily available. I suppose the government requires car makers to have this data for the coach builders who are going to be the last person that touched it before it goes on the road. To ensure that the federal specs are met (and we get more of those every day), LOTS of engineer-speak is the result.

It might be worth a call or two in contacting some coach builders to tell them what you are trying and maybe get some quick, easy answers. They deal with this stuff everyday. jim

 

I think I figured this out. As shown below, the ride height spec references the top of the floor ribs in the cargo area. I transferred that dimension to the body line that runs along the sides and rear of the van and found that the body line is 1.5" higher than the floor. So just need to add 1.5" to the specs shown below and can then measure from the ground to the body line at all four corners.






Results on mine are the front is 1.5" under spec and the rear is about .5" higher than spec. I'm not sure how the front can be so low given the low miles. Unless they sag over time regardless of miles of use.

As JWA suggested, I'm going to call the company that performed the wheelchair conversion to see if for some reason they put lower springs in the front. Maybe to keep the wheelchair lift level or something? I'll give ATS Springs a call as well to see what they recommend.

Thanks for the help!

 

i have a 1996 e150 conversion van , I installed moog springs for the E 250 of that year ,best thing i ever did . All the conversion vans of this era are undersprung.!
Also installed helwig bars front and rear .

Also upgraded the whole front end and braking to the 2008 era and matched it with a 8 lug dana 60 from a 2010 . had a local spring shop fab a nice set of rear springs 5 leafs .

Was it worth all this ? for me yes as i modifed the interior , it now rides handles and most importantly STOPS great . the stock E 150 brakes of that era suck especially with the added weight of the conversion . i hope this helps

 

Excellent work, Shawn. Keep us posted on your progress. jim

 

Sounds like a nice setup you have there. Basically made it into an E250 by the sounds of it. I'll post back when I know more.