If you're adding both front and rear bars, especially Hellwig I'm sure you'll be amazed and very pleased with the difference.

That rear bar alone does wonders, most especially for me. I'm driving an E250 extended body with full-sized spare installed---talk about a tail wagger.

It doesn't help as a daily driver I weigh 7.800#, rear springs might be a bit tried after 211K miles.

 

yes adding front and rear bars, it amazes me that this thing does not have a rear bar already! There is about 4000lbs on the rear axle, and with the extra high roof from the camper conversion this thing just wants to rock and roll! It is not a nice thing to drive because of this. My van has only done 36K miles, so springs should still be okay, the eyecrometer check says they are looking alright.
Hellwig supply a rear bar that is larger in diameter than the front, which says something. Okay the geometry and length of the bar are just as important as the diameter, but regardless I think I am going to be on the right track with these parts

 

I agree with Hellwig usage, obviously!

I've not confirmed this but the E450 sway bars are said to also fit E250-E350 frame spacing. That might be one route to go if the E350 rear bar doesn't give you enough rear sway control.

 

thanks, that's useful to know The bars I bought are 1 1/8" front,(7604 kit) and 1 1/4" rear (7183 kit) I think the E450 rear bar is 1 1/2" from memory?

They should arrive on my doorstep tomorrow morning. Stay tuned

edit. here it is, its a big mother of a bar! http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...ine-super-duty

 

Oh my, my... headers, how unique. I've rarely seen it but I like it.

 

a couple of boxes just turned up on my doorstep - I am getting all barred up!

Looks like the front bar does away with the original attachment point at the front axle, and instead has a couple of clamps and brackets to attach the bar.



The rear bar is a big heavy mother

 

Yep--that's the main reason I opted for Hellwig over any other available brands. Widening the attachment points seems a better idea to me plus how Hellwig makes the I-Beam connection does away with the poorly designed bushings which are a known weak spot, requiring frequent new bushings in order to maintain the OEM sway bar's operation



Yeah it is----gave me a feeling of confidence it would do the job just fine! Do be VERY careful when/if you have to enlarge or drill new holes in the drivers side frame for the vertical mounts---there are a few important lines and wiring tucked away inside the frame rail where the thru-bolts will go. I almost butchered my fuel and brake lines my first time installing those pieces.

Once both are installed remember to drive a few hundred miles then re-check all bolts and nuts----they will loosen up a bit over time.

On another note after about 7 years driving my front link bushings wore out---Kevin from Hellwig sent me a complete replacement kit free of charge despite me wanting to pay. Can't really beat service like that so long after my original purchase.

 

Thanks for the tips JWA I have already hit the wiring loom with the end of a drill bit on another job, don't want to do that again!

I will take note of all of those things you have mentioned, that's all useful stuff to know, thank you!

 

Wrong thread

 

Have just installled the Hellwig bars, and the front Bilsteins. Wasn't too difficult, I needed to enlarge the mounting holes in the rear chassis for the vertical links (checked for loom and brake pipe clearance JWA! ) and I shortened the front U bolts and rear vertical links quite a bit, as there was a lot of the threaded portion hanging out past the end of the nut. Some of the flat washers were on the large side, so I went to my local bolt shop and bought some that were better suited. But these were minor details, and fit and finish was very good overall.

Front Bilsteins:







Some pics of the front bar installed, note that the original mounting holes/bushes are not used, instead a "U" clamp is attached to the front axle, to which the plate/bushes are attached.







And the rear:






Took it for a good test drive around some twisty country roads - OMG what a difference! Previously you would turn into a corner quite early, wait for the first big lurch to settle, then hang on for a rather uncomfortable ride as it leaned and wobbled its way around. I can imagine passengers would have suffered sea sickness on a long trip, it was quite awful! Now it is so tight, and body roll is barely noticable, if at all. The Bilsteins have certainly tightened up the damping, maybe a little harsher over big holes, but I can live with that, it is much better when hitting dips/bumps in straight ahead driving and doesn't hit the stops like it used to. I could follow cars driving at reasonable speeds through twisty roads, and keep up no problems.

These parts have transformed the way it drives, and I am super happy with it now. Next up is a dyno run, before fitting the exhaust headers, and some tuning

 

Did the rear shocks fitted right away ? How could you found exact model for your van ?

 

Yes rear shocks fit perfectly, the model number was BSN-33-176840. I just did a search on Summit Racing's website for the correct model.

 

Told ya! Those running an E-Series without the rear bar (but assuming even the stock front bar is in good order) would immediately sense the difference that addition makes---its pretty amazing, even if IMHO.

What I've noticed about our vans handling is they're somewhat slow to react to quick maneuvers, taking a nano second or so for the body to roll in relation to change of direction such as that induced by a twisty road or heading a bit over speed into a freeway exit ramp or decreasing radius curve. This is VERY unsettling as we power through the turn/curve initially the body seeming to pitch perfectly, COG remaining centered over the chassis and we'll travel through the curve or turn without issue. THEN............

...the body will roll away from the turn direction, rather severe and sudden understeer raising its head, the butt pucker power an amazing human reaction to such things---talk about instant anxiety. Regardless how substantial your entire suspension package including tires is that late-arriving body roll and resulting understeer is a bit tough to tame without tuning the suspension----or running a few GVW steps above the normal loads carried.

Without encouraging anyone to drive at 10/10ths of their ability or push things past the limits of traction where you begin turning into a curve or turn is vital to these lumbering behemoths and that infernal higher COG; damn physics anyway!

One day I hope to mount a GoPro in my own 4 ton daily driver E250 EB and take y'all for a 5 mile trip up a county road I travel maybe 3 times a year. There is no spot longer than 1,000 feet that is flat or straight. Every foot is either uphill, downhill, curving one direction or the other, very tight turns (almost 90*) and a few S curves UP a hill thrown in for good measure. Honestly its a challenge maintaining the posted speed limit of 45 MPH. However when UPS and FedEx home delivery trucks are passing me without a worry-----experience has its benefits!

Anyway glad the Hellwig and Blistein additions are working so well----they're both worth their cost.

 

Ran the van up on the dyno, to get a baseline figure before fitting headers, tuning etc. Was quite shocked at how little power it made! 143hp and 300 ft/lbs. at the rear wheels. Did 4 or 5 runs, tried removing air filter snorkel etc. to no difference.






Full throttle setting looks lean around 3000, can anyone tell me what software or programmer I need to recalibrate the ECU? It is a Ford EECIV I think. If it is lean now,it will almost certainly be worse once I fit the headers.

 

Over in the Modular Motor Forums (mostly V10) Mike from 5 Star Tunes is da man when it comes to writing pretty amazing strategies for that era PCM's.

Not sure he's familiar with your era PCM and re-writing for it but if he's not chances are great he knows someone who could help. Here's a link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ky-thread.html

I'd read all about Mike in the V10 forum then maybe call him---he's always willing to discuss things from what I've read.

HTH