[Safarout]

Hey All,

I had a local shop install my Belltech 768ND lowering kit. 2" drop spindles in the front and a 3.5" flip kit in the rear. I was hoping for a nice level end result. However I ended up with this squat. I am curious if anyone else has had any trouble. I understand the flip kit can be relatively difficult to install and has notoriously poor instructions. I spoke with the mechanic when I picked the vehicle up and he seemed very competent. The work is clean and tidy however I am disappointed with the end result. Now having spent over $3k in parts and labor I am hesitant to move forward without some advice. I spoke with Belltech tech support today and the rep was confident the rear is sitting too low and there could be components missing. He asked for some photos of the install and I have included those in my post. I have not yet heard back from Belltech but feel this forum is a better resource for the information I am seeking. I would like to know if anyone sees anything out of place, missing or has ran into something similar before.

Please advise

Safarout

 

[MI_Ghost]

I'm not seeing pics of the leaf spring front hangers and rear shackles. These are used to raise the rear back up to level the stance. A flip kit lowers 6" and the hangers and shackles rause it back up 3".

Be very careful driving until you get it corrected. That brake line is going to get pinched leaving you with no rear brakes.

 

[Safarout]

This very well could be missing. I am new to lowered suspension. I will head out shortly and post more pics of rear shackles and spring hangers. I greatly appreciate your response MI Ghost.

 

[Safarout]

Here are some photos of the rear shackles and spring hangers. I apologize for the orientation of the photos. I can't seem to get them to upload correctly. They straighten out once opened. Again I am a newbie but don't see anything out of place here. Anyone else catch something I am missing?

 

[MI_Ghost]

New hangers and shackles installed.
That leaves the leaf springs as suspect of being worn/sagged or damaged. Leaf springs should not show a gap between leaves like yours are. These vans are typically a little weak on the rear springs. Age and overloading tends to flatten them out.

 

[Safarout]

Makes sense to me! I am going to throw a new set of 1410lb springs on here and see what she does. I'm excited to get the old girl leveled out. Serves as a lesson for no more than it cost should have just put new leaf springs on to begin with.

 

[dcsleeper]

I hope the springs sort it out for you.
My vote is that they will.
Thanks for the terrific pics!
and NOICE van!

 

[sixsix]

... over $3k in parts and labor

And they rehung the ( obviously 20 year old, high mileage, heavily used ) rear springs.
Amazing and... sad.

Here's to hoping there are 'Happy Returns on Investment'.

 

[Safarout]

She's a real gem! Got 40k on the clock and everything works but the front two door lock actuators. It is a little disappointing that the suspension was reassembled using the old springs. Not the end of the world though. We'll throw a new set under her and see how it goes!

 

[Safarout]

Update:

I got a deal on a set of 1700lb springs from a local vendor. Advance Auto had a sale on Moog CC640 coil springs. I had another local shop do the install today and alignment in the morning.

Not sure how to insert the quote from above but MI_Ghost was right. I did end up having to replace a brake line due to the way the previous shop had ran the rear lines. The left side got pinched between the axle and body.

Super excited to get the van back! I will post another update with some photos of the end result.

 

[MI_Ghost]

Not sure how to insert the quote from above

Just click the Quote button in the top right corner of the post you want to Quote.

 

[Safarout]

I had a shop install new set of 22-1195 1700lb leaf springs under my van. It raised the rear a nominal amount. I also had them install a set of moog CC640 coil springs hoping for a better ride. They did take the bounce out of the front end. However regarding ride height I still am not pleased with the end result. See attached photo.

The front sits at about 29" and the rear 27 1/4". I feel the only thing I can do here is install a set of Belltech 4252 2.5" lowering springs on the front. I've emailed Belltech hoping for some assistance. Does anyone else have any experience with this kit? I feel bamboozled so far by this experience.

 

[M_a_t_t]

(I think) you can get the lift shackles for the rear and raise them up. The lift shackles have multiple sets of holes in them so you should be able to adjust them until you find where you want. This is just a generic picture, but you can kind of get an idea of how they would work. They replace the ones in this picture (second photo).

 

[Safarout]

(I think) you can get the lift shackles for the rear and raise them up. The lift shackles have multiple sets of holes in them so you should be able to adjust them until you find where you want.

Thank you M_a_t_t. This is a good suggestion. I am going to look into what lift shackles would be available to raise the rear beyond where it sits currently.

 

[dcsleeper]

If you google 'CA-20 shackles' it will find them straight away.

IMG 20200924 104035

• dcsleeper
• Sep 24, 2020

 

[CopperFiremist]

New hangers and shackles installed.
That leaves the leaf springs as suspect of being worn/sagged or damaged. Leaf springs should not show a gap between leaves like yours are. These vans are typically a little weak on the rear springs. Age and overloading tends to flatten them out.

THIS

 

[MI_Ghost]

New hangers and shackles installed.
That leaves the leaf springs as suspect of being worn/sagged or damaged. Leaf springs should not show a gap between leaves like yours are. These vans are typically a little weak on the rear springs. Age and overloading tends to flatten them out.

THIS

He just had new HD leafs installed. The 27" seems a bit low and the axle to frame clearance looks a bit short. I would get a set of JOR adjustable shackles and lift the rear a little more over dropping the front another 2 inches. The stock shackle is 4" from mount to spring. The correct shackle should be 7-8".

And the CC640 coils will give approx 1" lift until they settle.

 

[CopperFiremist]

:doh: I see it now

 

[sixsix]

For this "Look" - you have paid whaaat ?

 

[Safarout]

For this "Look" - you have paid whaaat ?

Bro it is painful. I am so disappointed with this kit. I've spent a fair amount of money to get where I am at. Lowering kit, wheels tires, new leafs, new coils, labor etc. Unfortunately in a position where I can't stop now. Looks like I am riding around with a load of bricks. I am going to try some adjustable shackles and see if that can solve the problem here. I am really hesitant to go any lower in the front due to ground clearance. Worst case I'll abandon the flip kit and go with some lowering leaf springs. What a "learning" experience this has been. Can't help but love the old Safari though!