lowering springs

[markmitch]

When I first got my van the front shocks were were original equipment and junk so in order to get them out I had to remove the stock upper ball joints so at the time I was kinda broke myself so i got the cheapest ball joints from rock auto just to allow me to be able to move my van if needed. So here I am ready to put my van on the road soon and I remembered the ball joints. So I was on line during cyber Monday and found a set of 2 inch drop front springs from Western Chassis for 60 bucks plus shipping and ordered them and also a set of moog upper ball joints from rock auto. So i will take pictures when I do this swap. I will be replacing the stock coil springs with these new 2 inch drop springs.

[WoodButcher]

I'd be interested, more input johnny5!

[akforceten]

I got a set of 2" ebach front lowering springs which I used in my 92 Astro. It brought the front down nicely

[TurnNburn]

How would you drop the rear to match? Don't you have the fiberglass springs still?

[akforceten]

I didn't do anything to the rear except change the fiberglass leaf to a steel one that was designed to fit the clamshell up front. This is my introduction to Astro vans

[markmitch]

I swapped my glass springs out last year to the complete steel set with brackets from a 2000 safari in pick n pull and its staying that high so I can tow my camper trailer safely.

[Mmusicman]

I cut one coil, gave me almost 2" drop.
Ride was unaffected.

[TurnNburn]

I personally think that dropping the front down that low without dropping the rear just looks funky. But hey, not my rig.

[markmitch]

See I think lowering the whole vehicle makes it look like its broken, to each there own. I like the hot rod rake on my shorty now on a full size gen 2 not so much.

[Mmusicman]

See I think lowering the whole vehicle makes it look like its broken

I've always felt the same

I like the hot rod rake on my shorty

[1lowcab]

I like both, a rake on some things and a full slam on others.

On the gen 1's I like both also.






^^Nothin broke about any of those!

Different strokes for different folks and different drops for different style builds.

[sixsix]

hmmm... no GEN IIs



Mike

[1lowcab]

hmmm... no GEN IIs

They were referencing gen 1's up there, but gen II's look just as good.






and so on....lol!

[markmitch]

yeah I definitely would never own rubber band tires on anything. the only thing huge rims are good for is if you had to have huge brakes for racing but again to each there own

[1lowcab]

Yup, if everybody built in the same style, car shows would be pretty freakin boring. lol!

[markmitch]

New 2 inch drop springs came in today from western chassis, with shipping I paid 80 bucks. Not bad for new springs right?

[Mmusicman]

Not bad.
I paid $50 for Moog Progressives springs (with free shipping)
...and had to cut my own coils.

Here's mine:

[AstroWill]

If the tires are all the same, it looks better with a level drop IMO. However, with the fat tires in the rear, I think they look better with a little rake.

[markmitch]

I measured all 4 corners and from the ground to the wheel well lip it is 30 inches using the center of the wheel to be exact on all 4 corners. Today (Sunday Dec 2, 2018) I took the passenger side apart and removed the upper ball joint, sway bar link, new brake line I swapped in about a month ago and dropped the lower a frame all the way down and pulled the old spring out. Installed the new spring, replaced the upper ball joint new polyurethane equipped sway bar link and then finished assembling it. It definitely sits lower on this corner. I will need to replace the lower ball joints since this side is kinda sloppy but I don't have it here so it will have to be done soon.

[Mmusicman]

Mark, here's my measurements for comparison...

My 92:

Front 26" (aprox 2" above tire) 215/60-15
Rear 29" (aprox 3" above tire) 295/50-15

Front: I have new Moog progressive coils (with 1 coil removed)
Rear: I have sagged out original fiberglass leafs
(with lift shackle on lowest setting bumping me up about 1/2")