Lowering the chassis
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
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Lowering the chassis
I'm wondering if anyone has considered lowering the chassis on the transit vans? I have an application where the mid-height chassis won't quite fit in our garage but it's just a couple inches too tall. I was thinking that a tire change and a different set of springs might make it fit. I'd love to hear from current owners that might have looked at this issue.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
Hey Del...the stock tire size on the big Transit is 235/65x16", which is only a 28" tall tire. Going smaller, I don't think you are gonna get adequate load capacity. I believe the stock tires are load range E. Like the Sprinter and all the Euro van designs, tires are tiny to minimize wheel well intrusion into the interior.
There was a guy on this forum some time ago talking about lowering a Transit an inch or two to fit in downtown parking garages. I know the low roof Transit is 82.2" in passenger version and 83.6" high in cargo version, and my own garage door is 7 feet...so I could fit a passenger Transit in the garage but I don't think the Transit is where I'm gonna go after my E150. The low roof Transit is almost identical to the E van in exterior height but I haven't looked at interior headroom.
Edit--here's the thread; the prior poster wanted 1.5" lower on the short roof and did mention some lower springs but did not follow up... https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...5-transit.html
Good luck; I would be interested to see how a big Transit would serve your ultra-high mileage usage.
George
There was a guy on this forum some time ago talking about lowering a Transit an inch or two to fit in downtown parking garages. I know the low roof Transit is 82.2" in passenger version and 83.6" high in cargo version, and my own garage door is 7 feet...so I could fit a passenger Transit in the garage but I don't think the Transit is where I'm gonna go after my E150. The low roof Transit is almost identical to the E van in exterior height but I haven't looked at interior headroom.
Edit--here's the thread; the prior poster wanted 1.5" lower on the short roof and did mention some lower springs but did not follow up... https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...5-transit.html
Good luck; I would be interested to see how a big Transit would serve your ultra-high mileage usage.
George
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
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From: Detroit
In theory, drop spindles would be ideal for the front but it's unlikely anyone makes them. In the rear, I would look at whether there are blocks between the axle and springs that could be removed. Or in the old days on cars with axles above the leafs, they used lowering blocks.
You would be reducing the suspension travel and belly clearance. You'd have to look at driveshaft angles if you lowered the rear axle.
I'm still looking at the 235/65 tire size and that is so small....they are using far larger tires on Explorers and Edges (not load rating E though).
You would be reducing the suspension travel and belly clearance. You'd have to look at driveshaft angles if you lowered the rear axle.
I'm still looking at the 235/65 tire size and that is so small....they are using far larger tires on Explorers and Edges (not load rating E though).
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2015
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Yo, George;
I've missed you on the Transit Connect thread. I know there a little friction there, but the air cleared a bit and I would appreciate it if you would weigh in on a glitch that has been leaving me stuck in park.
I've missed you on the Transit Connect thread. I know there a little friction there, but the air cleared a bit and I would appreciate it if you would weigh in on a glitch that has been leaving me stuck in park.
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