Hi,

We've got a '97 E-350 12-passenger van that we use as our main family vehicle. It's sprung pretty stiff in the back, which would be great if we towed a large trailer or hauled much, but we don't, and it rides a lot harder than we'd like. Some have suggested removing a leaf spring and adding air helper springs in order to keep load capacity intact, but I'm wondering if we could just remove the bottom overload leaf without any adverse effects, so long as we don't haul anything too heavy. Anyone done this or have any thoughts?

Thanks,
Isaac

 

Isaac, There are some after market spring shackles called "Velvet-Ride" that are supposed to be used in a situation like this. I've got a set but haven't installed them yet. In the mean time, I would just add some cargo/tools/whatever/tube sand? in the back to soften the ride. I know it sounds odd, but the springs seem to ride better with a load. John

 

I put 480 lbs of sand in the back with not much difference in performance. How much of a load do you need?

This thing is about to bounce my teeth out at highway speeds

 

I wouldn't think removing the overload spring would improve your ride. The overload springs I'm used to don't provide any support until you are loaded. I haven't looked at the springs under my E-350 so they could be different but on the F-150 I had the overloads didn't even touch the rest of the spring stack until I loaded the truck. Removing the first spring above the overload would soften the ride though.

 

Removing a leaf can result in a ride height issue that you won't like, and make towing very dangerous by making it too weak.

 

I don't know if you have the cash, but a set of springs from an e250 may help. Rockauto has decent prices from what I have seen. Or even a junkyard. This may result in a lower rear end though, I am not sure.

There are surely lots of people that wouldn't agree but I say as far as removing leafs, family safety would be a concern however I would try it. Take the leaf out, load up the van to the usual weight and take it around the block. Should it cause any adverse effects just put the leaf back in. I tow 6000 pounds on a soft sprung 2002 e150 with no problems. Ride height would be the only thing to look out for.

Brian

 

Can we presume you've looked at your tires? A 10 yo E-350 might have some very harsh, high load, tires on it. Much of how hard your ride is relates to tires & tire pressure. If you do not carry a heavy load consider trying the lowest recommended tire pressure. Some commercial LT tires are 6 ply rated & extremely stiff w/o a load & run at high pressure. IMO it would be better to experiment with tire pressures & tires, than start juggling springs or adding dummy loads. I'd ask around to get an idea of just how low would be safe for your unique situation & tires. The beauty of this is that you can instantly add pressure when you do haul a heavy load. When I lived in snow country I used a dummy load for traction in winter & it definitely changed ride height & feel, but hurts fuel mileage & handling.

 

Face it, 10 ply load range E tires are hard, even airing down has little effect, you can get a set of 6 ply load D and run 40 psi, that will make every difference in the world. The tire shop I bought my tires from refused to put anything but an E on my van, but mine is a 15 passenger ext with the extra weight of a wheelchair lift, they were looking out for my best interest, the others wear faster under the weight.

 

Lordy, its worse than I thought!

Do E-350 Econolines really run on 10 ply tires?

 

Yep, it's a requirement VIA the door sticker.
At 80 PSI, they are brutal.

 

like they said. dont run E rated tires. depending on the size you are running. you could easily run C rated tires. just do the math on how much each tire can hold and how much does your van weigh when loaded.

and yes you can take leafs out of the rear pack. people do it all the time. and yes it will lower ride height depending on which on you take out. i would start like you said by taking out the overload leaf, you would be suprised how much a difference that makes.

also, what shocks are you running? good shocks = good ride.

 

We got this van about a year ago because the interior is customized exactly how we like it. It has six leather bucket seats that swivel (so you can talk to or play games with people behind you) and a sofa/bed in the back. The audio/video set up is exactly what we want... lots of other cool options for a large family...but... it rides like a covered wagon.

So.. if money were no object and the van were just used as a family passanger car...never any towing or heavy loads...

What do you suggest to make this pig (97 econoline e350) ride like a Towncar?

Suggestions so far:
downgrade tires from E to D .... ride them low pressure
get better shocks (aren't they all the same?...I dont know)
velvet ride shackles
remove a leaf spring

 

In leaf removal, it's the heavy bottom leaf that you remove, you need the heavy U-bolts and leaf spring center pins, BTW, those U-bolts at the parts stors on the shelves are not the right ones, they are not the same size.

 

where did you get your u bolts if not at the part store?

 

Spring shop or locate an off road shop, the parts stores carry the small diameter bolts, face it, they are light duty, not the same as what you currently have.