Hi, new user here with new to me 2005 E-150 5.4 liter V8 cargo van based passenger conversion by LA West company, with High roof.
I just purchased this van at an auction with 220,000 miles on it (2 prev owners) and need advise on replacing suspension components.
I dont have any repairs history for it.

I know nothing about Ford vehicles/vans or trucks in general and most likely the work will be done by some local shop since I can't pull this van into my 8 foot tall garage
This van will be used as a weekender vehicle only to carry bikes, windsurfing boards, etc. and 2-3 passengers.

Current state:
suspension seems to be under sprung for my tastes (probably need new springs) and floaty (definitely need new shocks IMO),
the van leans into turns (is there rear sway bar on this van?), almost like a school bus in comparison to my wife's Acura MDX SUV (this is the biggest vehicle I can compare to)
The van hold straight line on freeways despite having to steer/correct it due to some play in the steering wheel. I hear this is normal for Ford vans of that era.
The van has what appears to be Passenger stock size tires on aluminum wheels: P 235/70/16

The original Ford sticker from this van says "equipped with Heavy Duty shocks and Heavy Duty stabilizer bar".


The goal:
Make suspension more compliant, possibly a little stiffer.
I will probably add another 300 lbs of load to it in a form of mountain bikes, windsurfing equipment, camping gear etc.

Suspension recommendation needed:
1. Which shocks would you recommend as replacement?
I looked at Bilstein shocks since I am very familiar with them from my cars (99 Honda Accord, 2004 Acura TL, BMW) and I like them a lot, but are they good for this van, worth the price?
Bilstein shocks set for E150

2. Should I replace the springs and with which model? How do I measure any sag on the current springs?
3. Does this van have both front and read antiroll bars? Or front only. Can I add rear bar?
4. Bushings (brand, material) to replace when I am replacing shocks and may be springs?
5. Any other suspension components should I replace/check at this mileage?

Thank you

 

Uploaded pictures of stickers with van's weight numbers, to help with suspension suggestions.
Drivers door jamb stickers

Drivers door stickers

 

You may like what I did on my previous 2000 E150, 5.4. Link to previous thread.

 

GreeVan, thank you, very helpful post.
I drive BMW 440 and I appreciate stiffer ride.
Having said that, I'd like this van be marginally comfortable on dirt roads

To sum up your setup here, Bilstein for E350 all around, cc880 up front and the HD springs in the rear.

You replaced rear springs with direct OEM replacement part (43-1033HD) 1992-2006 Ford E150 Super Duty springs (HD part is confusing, should they be marked SD?)
Are these the same springs as yours? Rear springs: 1992-2006 Ford E150 Super Duty - Leaf Spring (Rear - 4/1 Leaves)

Do you recall part numbers of your Bilstein shocks?

Front springs: cc880 is this stock for E150 ? Is there stock part number lookup for this van? Like realoem.com
Did you do any work with sway bars, bushings?

Thanks!

 

That is my configuration.
The rear springs are the same as you can see they are the same part number.
If you scroll down on the thread, I provide even the Amazon links to the shock absorvers.
The Moog springs do not correlate to any OEM springs. the 880 are stiffer that the OEM I think.
The van was still quite comfortable off-road, but your tire pressure will play a bigger role.
If you change wheels and tires do not go 20" rims with low profile tires
I only had the OEM front sway bar and never bother to replace bushings they are a pain in the rear and I do not think a little play on the sway bar is going to make much of a difference.

 

You can also goto an E load rated tire for a stiffer sidewall. This is what 250/350's run for the extra weight. It will be a harsher ride and a little more expensive. You won't know about the 'play' in the steering until you take it somewhere for an inspection. Most will want to replace everything and being 12 years old it may need it. You can stick you head under there and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth a little and watch what has play in it and go from there. You will have to physically look under the rear of your van to see if it has a rear sway bar. Some do, some don't. There is an upgrade available that utilizes a little different mounting up front. Do a search on sway bars for that one. If I was you I'd get the steering set and then go for the suspension upgrades.

 

Thanks for the pointer on tires.

I do observe some "play" in the steering wheel, which requires my input even when driving straight on a highway and I will not be happy about it on long drives.
I heard that "this is normal for this design" and there is nothing I could do. Also one mechanic (not really a ford guy) test drove my van and said "this is normal".
If you say it can be fixed, then I will need to research what needs to be replaced in the steering

I did stuck my head under the van today - there is no rear sway bar, only front one.
I am planning to replace bushings on the front sway bar with polyurethane, not sure which brand or size yet.
I was wondering if I could add a rear sway bar myself (?)

 

Shocks alone made a HUGE difference in body roll, pitching, and brake squat on my e150. I use rockauto for accurate part #'s then typically use Amazon or eBay. My van drifted all over as well until I had it aligned. I asked for the maximum +camber in spec. The shop replaced the camber bushings (to a different style) and brought it up within hundredths of maximum camber, man did that make a difference in drivability. I replaced all ball joints & sway bar links/bushings with Moog. The shocks are Bilsteins.

I'm an avid mtb'r/camper and this wknd will be it's maiden voyage. With that I'm still working through some issues and am by no means as knowledgeable as the members here. I too may be looking to beef up the rear springs a bit as I'm thinking of adding a hitch mounted dirt bike. Was considering helper springs but will cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

A few recommendations from my own E-Series suspension work........

-Sway bars are available, the front bar installed from the factory during original build. Replacing worn OEM bushings in the I-Beams and frame brackets might help but honestly its a bit undersized for most of us. Adding even the puny factory rear bar is an improvement over nothing at all---you might be able to find one in a scrap yard but they're rare. I use and recommend Hellwig bars because they're available in different configurations to accommodate different needs. Also their mounting scheme up front is far superior to the factory set up.

-Call Bilstein and talk to a CSR---they've been helpful to me with product selection. I'm driving an '05 E350 extended body now equipped with short wheel base Bilstein's that are significantly stiffer than stock replacements. Along with Hellwig front and rear bars designed for the same short wheel base chassis I have tons of ride control.

-Moog is always a good source for front coil springs, a competent big truck frame & spring shop could add a leaf or two in the rear as well as maybe renewing any worn bushings back there.

-Every new-to-me E-Series has the front end bushings replaced with urethane parts; radius arm, axle pivot and if the stock front sway bar isn't changed those bushings too. That material lasts years and years longer than the OEM stuff which tends to deteriorate over a few years. At 220K miles and that chassis your van could probably benefit from these being replaced.

I'd have the front end thoroughly inspected for worn ball joints and tie rod ends--Moog is my only choice there too, Amazon our best friend price-wise.

Those are steps I've taken and would suggest they be considered for your new van.

 

JWA, how did the "steering fix" work out for you from this thread: a real econoline steering fix! ?

 

if you read through that great thread you'll see it didn't perform as I hoped so within a day or so after installing it all I removed it and sold it to another member here.

Reading nearly every post and thread about this condition I've come to the conclusion there are other ways to minimize the E-Series wandering but it's not something that can be completely eliminated, Our van will never handle like sports cars that are half the size and significantly lighter in weight.

 

BigJC, good point on dialing max negative camber.
You said "The shop replaced the camber bushings (to a different style) and brought it up within hundredths of maximum camber"
Are those camber bushings model/year specific (brand/part numbers?) and where do they go (if you have pictures)?

I am thinking of removing a rear seat/sofa bed in my E150 conversion van and installing bike racks/mounts inside for my better MTBikes.

 

Could anybody point me to a good source for service manual for this van?
Printed or downloadable.
2005 E150

 

I've bought more than a few complete Work Shop Manual set in both printed and CD-ROM forms from FleaBay--here's on specific for your year: 2005 E-Series WSM CD-ROM If you go this route know in advance using it requires your computer's internal clock to be temporarily reset to the expiry date of these manuals.

This is the printed version--a fair price all things considered: Printed 2005 E-Series WSM

HTH

 

Just to correct a couple posts, it's maximum positive CASTER, not camber. I sometimes use the wrong word, also. As a matter of fact I dropped my van off for an alignment at 7 am before my brain was in gear and asked for maximum positive camber. When I picked it up, that's exactly what they did. Boy did it look funny and drive horrible. I had to pay for another alignment. It made a huge difference with my van. It went from having to death grip the wheel with both hands and feeling like a drunk was driving it, to being able to drive with one finger.