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Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
#613538 April 30th 2013 5:16 pm
Joined: Aug 2001
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Reed Offline OP
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Well, seeing as how I need to replace the kingpins on my 89 E-150 (again), I am also considering upgrading the front and rear springs at the same time. The front coil springs are the original 89 half-ton chassis springs. They have about 160,000 miles on them. The previous owners of the van used it to haul a 25 foot trailer around the country. I use the van to haul up to seven people and luggage around the state. The rear leaf springs were shot when I got the van, so I replaced them with the less-work leaf springs out of my old 84 E-150. Given that the rear leafs are now 30 years old, I figure they could probably stand to be replaced as well.

The van is a heavy conversion van that gets absolutely loaded when I take it on family road trips. Even with a rear sway bar it has a tendency to wallow a bit. I want to upgrade the capacity of the springs a bit and I am looking for recommendations.

For the front I am thinking about Moog CC824 springs. I don't have a rating, but they are the heaviest duty variable rate spring I can get on RockAuto. They are described as: "Front; 138.0' wheelbase; w/o Parcel Delivery; w/A/C; Heavy Duty Replacement; Standard Cargo Van... Front; 8 Passenger; Heavy Duty Replacement; Standard Passenger Van." They are $60 per air plus shipping, so I might as well throw them in there while the I-beams are off for the king pins.

Anybody have any experience with the Moog CC824 springs? Good? Bad?

Anyone have any recommendations for the rear leaf springs? I wouldn't mind upgrading to a 3/4 ton rating since the van already weighs so much and since I put so much more weight in it. What about a pair of air springs? Better than leafs?

Anxiously awaiting feedback.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #613553 April 30th 2013 5:55 pm
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HOLY CRAP AIR BAGS ARE EXPENSIVE! I guess I will be looking at leaf springs only. Sheesh.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #613602 April 30th 2013 10:27 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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Festerus Vannimus
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rear air ride kit

$340.00 bags, hoses and compressor for 75-91 Ford E-Series

They also have bags you can put inside the front coil springs, but I think you would do best with stock front and rear spring, with the rear bags for when you need that EXTRA load ability.


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #613606 April 30th 2013 11:03 pm
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pooh-bah
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I will tell you straight up, the E-250 coils will fit the E150, the clamp is a bit tight, but they will raise it way up, I don't suggest it.
I put bags inside my coils, they weren't very expensive, they stiffen the ride a bit, there is a minimum pressure required, I did it to keep the passenger side from breaking down due to lift, unnecessary in your case.
Get some replacement rear leaf springs, perhaps for a E-250, go new, spring shops used to be the way to go but all of them around here have closed, no one rebuilds packs anymore.

Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #613607 April 30th 2013 11:07 pm
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veteran
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I have some Firestone ride rites on my tired rear leafs. I love the adjustability, but I do not need to go above 35 PSI unless trying to level out the van on a sloped parking spot. 100 psi in both bags raised the rear over 4 inches from 0 psi.


They were $240 in '07 but no compressor.

I stepped up to a thicker coil when I rebuilt my front end. Glad I did, but I do not know how much improvement was just a new spring vs a new thicker spring, but since the dodge suspension is completely different, and my springs are not Variable Rate, my experiences in this matter mean nothing.

So.... Bump

Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #613611 April 30th 2013 11:37 pm
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Thanks for the input. The Moog front coils are variable rate, and the specs I have found say the installed height of the Moog coils are at worst a quarter inch taller than stock. I definitely want NEW leaf springs in the back. There is still a local spring shop in my town that will build me whatever I want, but I might just order new packs online.

I think at this point I will pass on the air springs. I don't have the extra cash to purchase the compressor and air springs and springs etc...

I guess I will give the Moogs a try and report my experience.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #613691 May 01st 2013 1:22 pm
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Well, new coil springs aren't in the budget. Looks like it will be just king pins for now.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Upgrading 89 E-150 suspension
Reed #656520 March 23rd 2014 11:13 am
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J
enthusiast
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for the record the front coils are Load rating: 1442 lbs.


2004 Ford E250 5.4 4r75w dana 60 with 3.73;'s (Current)
1992 Dodge B350 360/46rh non lockup /9.25 rear with 3.90 cogs (sold)
1986 GMC Vandura 2500 305/TH350/3.08 rear (Sold)
1994 G20 Ex Virginia DOT crew van 305/4l60/3.42 G80 10 bolt (Sold)
1969 Chevy G20 Sport van 230,3 on the tree, 12 bolt with 4.11 cogs.(Sold)
2004 Chevy Express 2500 4.8,4l80E,3.73 (sold)
1990 ford e250 club wagon 460.E4OD,dana 60 rear 4.11's (sold)

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