Hi Guys, I've posted before about the soft suspension on my 1997 E-150 conversion van. Today I was looking at the sway bar kits made by "Hellwig" to try and get some of the sway out of the ride. Anyone have these in use. The Hellwig I looked at for the front end looks kind of Mickey Mouse with that 1/4" piece of steel attached to the I-beam with a couple of "U" bolts. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Does anyone know if the E-250 vans have the same set up for the front sway bars. I noticed that NAPA has sway bar bushing for the E-250 at 1". I'm not sure of the size in the E-150 but I don't think it is any bigger then 7/8". Going to a E-250 sway bar, if it's mounted the same way and some E-250 springs might help with the sway and the soft ride. What do you guys think??

 

Come on guy's chip in here. I need some help on how to stop the swaying on this 1997 E-150. It's like riding in a 14ft boat in a 3ft chop. I can take the rain gutter and push not to hard and get this thing rocking 3 to 4 inches without a problem. My E-250 Doesn't hardly move at all, maybe an inch or less with the same amount of force and stops right away when I let go. And the E-250 doesn't have a rear sway bar. I was thinking of going to the salvage yard and picking up a E-250 sway bar set up, but the E-250 sway bar is mounted a different way (on brackets mounted to the ends of the Twin I-beams. Has anyone designed a sway bar end link bracket so an old style sway bar could be installed? just a thought !!

 

Chipping in as ordered Sir.................

I’m running a ’00 E250 that as a daily driver weighs in at 7800# which is quite hefty considering my GVWR is 8600#----also running Hellwig front and rear bars, the largest offered for my chassis. I’ve not looked at the E150 Hellwig set up but I’ll assure you the E250 is one far cry from Mickey Mouse!! In fact its superior to every other design IMHO including the very Rinky Dink factory set up. While the E150 set might vary from the E250/350 set up you might want to either download installation instructions from Hellwig or perhaps talk to one of their application engineers----they’ll share information that might cause you to re-think this “mickey mouse” comment as it relates to their products.

As for the U bolt attachment to the far outside I Beam ends (instead of fitting through them) is to shorten the front bar thereby reducing the leverage exerted on the bar during its travel. If the same diameter bar (assuming a similar stiffness) is compared one mounting location to the other Hellwig’s is more effective due that reduced lever effect acting on the bar when its called into use.

Before installing the Hellwig front bar I simply replaced the soft and worn out OEM I Beam sway bar bushings with urethane but it made little to no real difference in sway control. First drive with the Hellwig installled was such an improvement it was hard to imagine not running the same set up on any other vehicle I’ll own.

I’m not familiar with the E150 chassis other than having owned a 1988 which was quite similar to your description; soft spongy ride even when unloaded. IIRC they don’t share a lot of chassis components with the E250’s and up which would include front and rear springs. The hand rocking on your E150 probably has more to do with springs more than anything else—the fact it stops on the E250 once the same applied force is removed says the heavier springs and shocks are in good working order.

I would suggest finding a good local heavy truck spring shop and talk to them. My shop of choice will be replacing my E250’s (252K miles) front coil springs with custom made units depending on their inspection and consultation with me when dropping it off. Cost will be about $250 parts and labor which seems very fair considering simple replacement stock OEM springs list at $105 each.

Sway bars won’t correct soft and worn out springs----look there first but by all means consider Hellwig front and rear bars and be assured they are NOT Mickey Mouse at all!!

HTH

 

What kind of tires are on there now?
If you really want to stiffen up your ride, get some TTC2814 coils on the front. That's what I put on my E350 and it drives Luke its on rails now.

 

Hey Mr Silver----what brand springs is that part number you installed? I'd be interested to know!

 

Otto Max. Just google TTC2814 and it will come right up. Cheapest I've seen them for was $150.00 for the pair. Rated at 3949#. They also make a 5000# set. TTC2815.