I just bought a 85 e-250 with a very hightop. Because of this, when I drive at high speed(65+) any cross wind pushes the van very easily. Is there anyway to tighten up the steering or suspension to minimize push. I am very new to anything full size, or American for that matter, so I'm looking to learn a lot on this forum. Thanks.

 

I had the same problem with my '88 E250. I added an air dam.

I went to the local home improvement store and bought a piece of plastic house trim. It was 1/2-5/8 inch thick by 6 inches wide and 8 foot long.
Using an heat gun I was able to put two 100-90 deg. bends at each end after cutting it to length. Then using a length of steel angle iron, the kind that comes with a series of holes punched in it already, I drilled some holes in the bottom of the bumper and bolted the angle iron to the bumper. I then drilled holes in the plastic trim and bolted that to the angle iron. I now have a 6 inch deep air dam the curves with the ends of the bumper.

The plastic trim comes white from the store. For me I needed black. I just went to the paint dept. and bought some spray paint designed for painting plastic. A few minutes later and I have a flat black air dam.

If 6 inches is to deep you can cut this plastic with any kind of saw, just like wood.

 

Thanks jimbbski, I will surely do that. So, does it create a its own downforce, or does it just keep air from lifting the van from underneeth, If that makes anysense at all. The van is awefully high off the ground for a 2 wheel drive. Is that all you did to your van? Ive also been looking into getting a steering stabilizer, like people use for offroading, and maybe some new shocks.

 

My '82 E350 had loose steering and sort of 'wallowed' in corners and crosswinds when i first got her. here's what I ended up doing:
- tightened up and replaced all steering linkage connections and replaced bushings.
- replaced steering gearbox, as mechanic had determined some of the steering slop was from wear in the unit.
- replaced shocks with Monroe Magnums. these are VERY stiff (i regret that choice and should have gone with Bilsteins)
- replaced front roll bar with a thicker one and new bushings and added a rear anti-roll bar (aftermarket)

the gearbox swap and the roll bars made the biggest difference. photos of roll bar installation can be seen in my gallery.

 

I think still you need to check all the things that "packlet" mentioned as well because adding an air dam will not help if you suspension or steering is worn.

The air dam keeps air from going under the vehicle so in a sense it does create downforce, with less air going under and more air going around or over the vehicle. It also can help cooling as more air will be forced through the radiator. The drop in air pressure under the vehicle also draws the air that goes through the radiator out also helping keep the engine cool.

 

Yeah, I hate the turtle shell hightop, that is the tall one, you likely have worn steering components, shocks, and suspension, check into that first of all.

 

Oh, and tires can make a big difference too. the E250/350's are HEAVY, and a camper is even heavier, so no passenger tires (the sidewalls are just too soft).
At least LT (light truck), but I run load range F truck tires. Super stiff sidewalls at up to 80psi does not help the ride, but does help minimize the wallowing...