Advise please... Add leaf or no?

[wilsc449]

Looking for some advice on the best way to lift my very heavy rear-end Safari.

I'm about to buy and install a 2-3" lift kit and think I might need to also add a leaf. Is it worth it?? Anyone else had a super loaded rear like this?.... The snow is coming soon and it's going to be slow going this low.
I'm in Canada and can get the parts shipped from the US but if anyone knows a good Canadian dealer for the lift or leaf that would be great as well.

Thoughts?

[Mmusicman]

Yes.. add a leaf is a good easy solution.
I've done it with full size G-vans.. but not the Astro.
In my case, I used a leaf or two from another spring pack.
Junk yards might be an option.. and of course you can purchase stuff online.

Add the leaf first.. then see where it sits before you proceed.

It will obviously give you some lift.. and also firm up the spring rate which is beneficial for a heavier load. From the looks of it.. one leaf might work perfectly.

[Rockridge]

S-10 Heavy duty springs worked great on my 04. Even with bikes for 5 and loaded with the family and a weekends worth of camping stuff, the van will sit about level. Rides nice and eliminated some body roll.

It looks like the rear springs on your van are pretty tired, I have no experience with add a leaf but I wonder how much they will offer if they are not only fighting the sagging factory springs but also carrying the payload.

[CopperFiremist]

I wouldn't even waste your time with an add a leaf, from the looks of it those leafs are shot. I have the heavy duty 22-1195HD leafs on my van and IMO they give just as much lift as the S10 leaf( 22-687) Plus they are rated at 1700lbs vs the S10 are rated at 1400lbs

[Mmusicman]

Plus they are rated at 1700lbs vs the S10 are rated at 1400lbs

I believe my 2000 van has S10 springs.
Unfortunately, with lift blocks when the van is empty.. it REALLY sits extra high.
It does ride nice empty.. but that rarely happens. Normally loaded it's even.

You really have to determine your intended load and desired results.
Firm springs have less height variation on light vs heavy loads.. but ride firmer too, especially on light loads.
Personally, I prefer this.

The beauty of staggered leaf springs is that they work "progressively".. get firmer as they are loaded down.

Add a leaf (or two from another van) is a very inexpensive BUT EFFECTIVE solution.
It's really more of a modification thing, with uncertain results.
I turned 1/2 ton springs into 1 ton by doubling them on my G-van.. it worked great.

Aftermarket helpers are a good working solution, but will cost more.
New heavy rate springs are probably the best solution, but will be the most involved and cost the most too.

[dcsleeper]

I had a droopy *** old Ranger.
I put in add-a-leaf (s)
It looked right.
When I put ALOT of weight in the back, the springs just wrapped past the add-a-leaf and squashed.
It doesn't really bring back or increase your carrying capacity, only springs can do that.
In this pic, there is about a cubic yard of concrete in the back, a severe overloading.

[stent]

I wouldn't even waste your time with an add a leaf, from the looks of it those leafs are shot. I have the heavy duty 22-1195HD leafs on my van and IMO they give just as much lift as the S10 leaf( 22-687) Plus they are rated at 1700lbs vs the S10 are rated at 1400lbs

what he said

[Rockridge]

I suppose another bonus of doing springs is that you would also be replacing the bushings at the same time and it puts you in a good position to look at the hangers to see if they need replacement, while you are there how are the differential cover seal and U joints, calipers & pads? Any small rust spots to hit with converter? And down the rabbit hole you go!

I was told my springs would settle after a year. It's been longer than that and they haven't. And I load it right up almost daily. It sits a bit raked out for me when empty, and I planned on taking out a leaf but that hasn't happened either. I've had it stuffed to the roof with bicycle stuff for a swap meet, plus 6 bikes hanging off the back with a full tank and it sits level and rides great.

Going to need to see a pic of the bikes too!

[Mmusicman]

I was told my springs would settle after a year.
It's been longer than that and they haven't.
And I load it right up almost daily. It sits a bit raked out for me when empty, and I planned on taking out a leaf but that hasn't happened either..

Hmmm... maybe a reason not to consider heavier springs?
Although I wouldn't consider bicycles a real load...

[WoodButcher]

I had a droopy *** old Ranger.
I put in add-a-leaf (s)
It looked right.
When I put ALOT of weight in the back, the springs just wrapped past the add-a-leaf and squashed.
It doesn't really bring back or increase your carrying capacity, only springs can do that.
In this pic, there is about a cubic yard of concrete in the back, a severe overloading.

45, 80lb bags shouldn't be loaded in a new full size 1 ton truck,,,,


Yep, I've done it too

My '97 I built a frankenpack, often I loaded to the capacity of the springs but crawled up hills, prayed to stop going down and was just lucky I didn't need to panic stop or avoid someone else's stupidity, I had enough of my own.

New HD springs will give you lift and load, you can add more lift if needed.

New standard duty will put you back to stock height, (in your case lift from where you are) with a nice ride.

Add a leaf will give you what dcsleeper had.

IMO, go New. I just did the standard duty steel springs in my '93. I use it for work at the moment so it is loaded w/ tools and not a hint of rub on those big back tires.

[Sailing_Faith]

I wouldn't even waste your time with an add a leaf, from the looks of it those leafs are shot. I have the heavy duty 22-1195HD leafs on my van and IMO they give just as much lift as the S10 leaf( 22-687) Plus they are rated at 1700lbs vs the S10 are rated at 1400lbs

Did you happen to take measurements with your 22-1195HD? Do you recall the actual increase in height these produced?

[CopperFiremist]

I just measured it unloaded I'm sitting at 32.5" / 32" to the center of the wheel well.

[Mmusicman]

Here's mine empty (with 30" tires)...

[K-TRON]

I too recommend the 22-1195HD springs. I put them in my 1997 Safari AWD van and have put over 3500 lbs in the back of it while maintaining a near level and comfortable ride height. With the Timbren bump stops the ride is fantastic. The rear fenders are right at 32" with Firestone Destination AT tires.

Chris

[Rockridge]

So did you get the new springs in yet?

[wilsc449]

Wow thanks for all the advise everyone!! A lot of options to go with. I'm thinking of trying to hunt down 22-1195HD springs and putting those in.

The interior is completely insulated and fully built for living with over the top thick/heavy wood (previous owner), the top ski box is packed to the brim with gear and the bikes will live on the back during the non winter months It's not a crazy amount but enough that our hitch constantly scrapes on any Rd with a slight angle.

As soon as the recent snow melts I'll put the springs in and upload some picks.

[dcsleeper]

so I was confused by misreading the tape measure in multiple pics...

[wilsc449]

I'm finally getting around to this lift and replacement. I've ordered a 2-3" inch lift online and now have the 22-1195hd springs here ready to put in to give the rear end some much-needed support.

Does anyone have a link to a slightly longer U bolt/bolt package for these? I don't really want to get custom ones made. That's all I'd need right? Straight swap after I have these?

Sorry for the stupid questions. I'm definitely no mechanic!

[wilsc449]

Found the replacements, but need longer ones.

[sixsix]

What "Grade" bolts package is it? Very important - deserves a read up on.

so I was confused by misreading the tape measure in multiple pics...

Sounds like the Hubble Telescope situation - got the conversion done properly 99.999 times right.

Found the replacements, but need longer ones.

That is what she said, "swell photos".