[scuba6388]

Those are nice, haven't seen them and easier to use than blocks for sure. Think i will change those out for the blocks I have. Thanks for the info. I still like the idea of lifting the van with some BFG's...that would be super cool. Can't tell me lifted a little in front isn't great looking...my older build below with front lift kit.

That's a sweet build! I'd love to do something similar. What size tires were you running?

 

[GapRunr]

my older build below with front lift kit.

Is that Plasti-Dip? What color did you use ?

 

[Kip-on-truckin]

Couple of notes: if you are only looking for an inch or two, why not bags? Seems ideal, cheap, adjustable. Just wondering.

Is there anything stopping you from blocking up the cradle points? The entire drivetrain - coils engine trans spindles wheels - is bolted to the bottom of the body. You'd be raising the body rather than raising the suspension. Just a thought.

 

[slamit06]

Couple of notes: if you are only looking for an inch or two, why not bags? Seems ideal, cheap, adjustable. Just wondering.

Is there anything stopping you from blocking up the cradle points? The entire drivetrain - coils engine trans spindles wheels - is bolted to the bottom of the body. You'd be raising the body rather than raising the suspension. Just a thought.

I have bagged a lot of cars and trucks, not a good solution for this particular application to replace the springs, requires a lot of stuff. The van in pics I painted the hubcaps and wheels just with spray paint...you can also dip them but I would recommend using an enhancer, the result is much better or just use some spray paint. Just figured out how to get to the top of the struts, so maybe will work on this soon if my van doesn't sell first. A small lift however looks great, I really don't care for the dip in the nose nor do I want to slam the rear and lose capacity or sprung ground clearance. However of course lifting the van will effect the stability...but there are always compromises to changing suspension up or down.

Gotta admit the PM with a level kit looks great. This one pictured uses the expensive eurokit.

 

[slamit06]

Figured out how to pull the strut so we can do the engineering work on the suspension. Will do a cool Baja inspired bumper guard/light bar at the same time for the front. Maybe even some step/rock guards for the side. There isn't any cool looking ones out in the market and I am hoping to offer one of those also for those who want to give their van some eye candy along with a lift for a more "adventure" van look like you see on some sprinters. Looks like I will be able to work on this mid June as the shop will have some space then to do some fabrication with my friend again.

 

[Kip-on-truckin]

You dont happen to have some pics handy of the strut assembly. Mine is screwy and I'm trying to figure out what parts I need.

 

[jostalli]

Figured out how to pull the strut so we can do the engineering work on the suspension. Will do a cool Baja inspired bumper guard/light bar at the same time for the front. Maybe even some step/rock guards for the side. There isn't any cool looking ones out in the market and I am hoping to offer one of those also for those who want to give their van some eye candy along with a lift for a more "adventure" van look like you see on some sprinters. Looks like I will be able to work on this mid June as the shop will have some space then to do some fabrication with my friend again.

I'm interested in all of this. Keep me posted.

 

[leorisker]

agreed, a simple way to do the front lift is to insert a spacer above strut, but need figure out that strength of the extended screw if fabricating them yourself, may consider one side is female and the other side is male with lock nuts.

 

[slamit06]

My fabricator whom builds trophy trucks thinks a solution for lower part of strut can be done ...thereby in theory eliminating having to pull the strut out...or the 2nd easiest solution is spacer where the spring is...which is already done by the company in Europe but is a bit pricey and hassle to get. He builds million dollar racing trucks, full custom 30-36 inch + travel, so I am confident whatever we end up with it will be over built and work right. His work is just amazing on the suspensions I have seen him do. Goal is to have something easy to install and at a price that at least is lower than the only option available. There are not many of these in the market, so only a custom solution is the only option as there just isn't a big market to mod a Promaster so any of the suspension companies won't be doing anything for just a few units a year.

 

[GapRunr]

Is that Plasti-Dip? What color did you use ?

What color is the van in that photo? It looks green to me.

 

[slamit06]

The van was white...he wrapped it to change the color.

The current van I am working on is graphite, I did dip those and used an enhancer with a black base coat for the dip. It is on a different post.

 

[slamit06]

Hmmm....

So finally got around to looking at the lift issues. Ruled out the optimal option of a bottom strut lift block, so that leaves typical spring spacer that would require taking apart the strut (not ideal) or the tried and true method of making a spacer for top of the strut. (common) This however would require pulling the strut out, installing, and then getting it aligned. Not as easy as option Also when discussing with my fabricator there is a concern that lifting the van would not be ideal for stability, when the over all goal here is to just try to level out the van. Also his experience in building trophy trucks...lower is always better, more stable. Its crazy how low his race trucks are with over 30 inches of travel...if I only had unlimited amounts of money. Their is more than enough tire clearance in front for larger tires so lift isn't really needed for that. So we go back simple way to lower the rear while maintaining stock spring load. Thinking we can lower the rear with a redesigned shackle and get it down maybe an inch. Two inches levels the van so at least this would help if it avoid going to a spring shop. This would improve the ride a little and at least the rear would not sit so crazy high. I could re-arch the springs of course...but at least in So Cal...this isn't cheap and can't be done in your drive way. One inch lowering would help and maintain most of the travel. Still a work in progress. We would have to play with the rear shackles to see if we can squeeze an inch down, this at least would be an economical solution to drop it a little and since the higher height is no benefit for tire clearance for 245's. ( a little trimming and cuttting is likely needed regardless) I will keep posting as I figure out the end result.

We at least got a great front light bar mocked up, working on some nice nerf bars/steps, and if I figure out the rear and add some 245's...I think I can end up with the look I am going for. None of this is of course needed...its just to make the van look as good as possible to give the nice Sprinter's a run for their money in looks.

 

[Quest4Adv]

I'm interested in a light bar. Would love to see what you're coming up with!

 

[slamit06]

Here is the mock up of the bar. I will have these for sale once we finish the final product. They are custom here in USA so more than the stuff you get from china. Likely between $500-600.

 

[RDinNHandAZ]

The bar is cool, hang a couple of interesting lights on it and perhaps tow hooks for use and effect and the Kool factor is way up there!
I am super excited about lowering the rear via shackles. Keep us informed. I am going the re-arch route at a truck spring place I have used back up in Vermont if you can't supply a drop. Expensive? I was thinking a couple of C notes? I haven't asked them that!

 

[slamit06]

To re-arch in SD they wanted $800 bucks...maybe $600 if I take the springs out. I am sure this is less in some areas, but nothing is cheap in Cali.

 

[jimmbomb]

In ST Louis, the spring shop qouted 350 if i bring them the springs for a re-arch.

 

[slamit06]

Just shows how expensive Cali is. I think $350 is reasonable, can't take them more than a few hours max if you bring them in. $600 here is really crazy, but fewer and fewer shops do this kind of work.

 

[Obrian]

To bad you dismissed lifting the front. Lowering the rear is easy if you just want to level the van. But if you want to put an all terain in a 245 size it would look silly in my opinion, and be very tight fit. Why not just leave the stock size tire if you are going to lower it? I have 245 mud terrain tires on mine and at the stock height they will clear but barely. They don't seem to rub, but body clearance at the corner of the wheel well is very tight in the rear. It's easy to trim the corners to gain the proper amount of clearance thats what I did, for mud build up etc. Lowering the van and then adding a big tire seems counter productive. Plus an off road promaster with cool bumpers tires lights etc will look way better than a lowered van. Just my opinion anyway. Looks extra in this pic because of the driveway.

 

[Obrian]

Win wish I could figure out how to attach multiple files on my iPad. Lol here is a pic of one side the trimmed sections, easy to do with a cut off wheel if anybody needed to know.