Exterior Height Differences and Suspension

444 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by HippieGypsy, 3 d ago

HowieWowie

Discussion Starter · 6 d ago

I'm in the market for a 3500 159" High Roof Ext. Today I was at a used vehicle lot and I measured the height of the roof above the ground. One vehicle a 2020 measured 102" and a 2021 measured 104". Same model but different heights. The dealer said there was no difference in the vehicle suspension. There must be because there is no other way to explain it. The vehicles were both empty and bare.

I'm trying to understand this issue because the clearance between the top of the van and my garage opening is tight. Two inches makes a difference. Once the van is built out I know it will likely settle a bit from the weight.

I'm not aware of any suspension options on the 3500 HR Ext. If anyone can shed any light on this that would be appreciated. Thanks

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

keasto

· #2 · 6 d ago

HowieWowie said:
I'm in the market for a 3500 159" High Roof Ext. Today I was at a used vehicle lot and I measured the height of the roof above the ground. One vehicle a 2020 measured 102" and a 2021 measured 104". Same model but different heights. The dealer said there was no difference in the vehicle suspension. There must be because there is no other way to explain it. The vehicles were both empty and bare.

I'm trying to understand this issue because the clearance between the top of the van and my garage opening is tight. Two inches makes a difference. Once the van is built out I know it will likely settle a bit from the weight.

I'm not aware of any suspension options on the 3500 HR Ext. If anyone can shed any light on this that would be appreciated. Thanks

You could take a measurement from the bump stop to leaf spring on both vans. That would tell you if the height difference is related to different springs or sag.

keeponvaning

· #3 · 6 d ago

In spite of what the dealer says there is a difference in the suspensions between the 118, 136, 159 and 159ext. On top of that they will all sit a bit differently from van to van depending on options, tires, load, fuel, etc. there can easily be an inch difference or more between different models.

baitbegger44##

· #4 · 6 d ago

Would not think a 20 and a 21 have wore out struts but what is the mileage on these 2 vans?

HowieWowie

Discussion Starter · #5 · 6 d ago

Thanks for the comments. I did some more digging in this Forum and found out that there is a HD suspension option on the 3500. So that should explain why the rear was riding higher on the 2021.

I also saw a number of people say that once built out the rear will ride a few inches lower which will help me with my garage opening clearance

.

el Jefe

· #6 · 6 d ago

HowieWowie said:
Thanks for the comments. I did some more digging in this Forum and found out that there is a HD suspension option on the 3500. So that should explain why the rear was riding higher on the 2021.

I also saw a number of people say that once built out the rear will ride a few inches lower which will help me with my garage opening clearance .

Bingo!!

h2ocamper

· #7 · 5 d ago

My understanding the 'premium' HD suspension option is just a HD rear stabilizer bar.

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Reactions: 1

MtBiker

· #8 · 5 d ago

.

MtBiker

· #9 · 5 d ago

It appears that the premium has upper and lower A arms in the front as opposed to the HD suspension that has MacPherson struts.
MacPherson struts only have a lower A arm.

83Grumman

· #10 · 5 d ago

MtBiker said:
It appears that the premium has upper and lower A arms in the front as opposed to the HD suspension that has MacPherson struts.
MacPherson struts only have a lower A arm.

I think we saw that info before and it was determined that it was about Ram Pickup Trucks.

Reactions: 1

HippieGypsy

· #11 · 5 d ago

I had a factory rear shock start leaking around 27k miles. When I then replaced the oem's with Bilstein B4's the van was about .75" taller. So, even the brand/condition of the shocks can affect the overall height of the van. I am attentive to my van height as my city has a 99" limit on "normal" vehicle height. Any taller and you're subject to time and place parking limitations.

Reactions: 1

MsNomer

· #12 · 5 d ago

How do they enforce this? Measuring the height of a van is not just whipping out a tape measure.

dog_house

· #13 · 5 d ago

I think there are a few different leaf spring packages that can go on the van but I would not be surprised if they get swapped out for a similar spec that is on hand when the van is being built. Our 2022 159” standard length was supposed to have the softer springs (window van) but had the standard springs installed instead. It wasn’t worth it to the dealer to hold up the build for something 95% of the buyers don’t care about anyway.

Our build is well under 1,000lbs so it’s still got its butt up in the air. There are not any PMs in the junk yard near me but I would like to swap the springs out for a softer set eventually.

Reactions: 1

HippieGypsy

· #14 · 5 d ago

MsNomer said:
How do they enforce this? Measuring the height of a van is not just whipping out a tape measure.

In the great local tradition of appeasing citizens disgruntled by the perceived scarcity of street parking our oversized vehicle parking restrictions are enforced inconsistently and arbitrarily. Tape measure optional.

SteveSS

· #15 · 5 d ago

We got the HD suspension option on ours. AFAICT, it's just a fatter (1") rear sway bar. Was it worth it? I don't know since I can't compare it to the standard sway bar. But I do think a sway bar helps our heavy-ish conversion (1000lbs under GVW, fully loaded). I am impressed with the lack of sway. It also sits almost level after the conversion. And I wouldn't say the suspension/ride is overly stiff now either.

Reactions: 2

baitbegger44##

· #16 · 5 d ago

Where is the extra weight in heavy builds?
Water
Wood
Motorcycle
Train set
Batteries
Bath tub
Deck
Other?

dog_house

· #17 · 5 d ago

baitbegger44## said:
Where is the extra weight in heavy builds?
Water
Wood
Motorcycle
Train set
Batteries
Bath tub
Deck
Other?

3/4" Plywood adds up fast. Those beautiful builds full of solid wood will outlast the vans but they're not light.

I was very weight conscious since we tow a heavy travel trailer and the 12,000 GCVW is the limiting factor. I also liked how it accelerated empty and didn't want to lose that since it's a daily driver. Our floor has no plywood at all and is just foam and floating planks, the bed frames are 1/2" MDO that's only 16" high. The big ticket items on our build were batteries (240lbs) and 44 gallons of water but we can leave the water at home when we are towing.

Reactions: 3

h2ocamper

· #18 · 4 d ago

baitbegger44## said:
Where is the extra weight in heavy builds?
Water
Wood
Motorcycle
Train set
Batteries
Bath tub
Deck
Other?

Beer!

Reactions: 3

HippieGypsy

· #19 · 3 d ago

baitbegger44## said:
Where is the extra weight in heavy builds?

Mine is mostly belly fat but, hey, I can't help it, it's a genetic predisposition.

But seriously, I have a $h1t load of tools, tow straps, snow chains, traction pads, a come-a-long etc., etc., that I take everywhere. Never have had to use any of it but it weighs down my van and gives it that sleeker look that I'll never have again.

Reactions: 1

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