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Small lift on Dodge Van
#744170 January 01st 2019 6:56 pm
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I have a been a 2+ year member to this site reading and learning as we all do. Although this is my first post on this site I am not new to "Vanning".

I have owned many 4WD drive vans over the years. I currently have 2 vans. The first van is a 2001 Chevrolet 3500 1 Ton Quigley 4WD conversion built for the government as an ATF "Bomber" van.

My second van is a 1996 2WD Standard Wheelbase Dodge B350 "Sportsmobile Pop Top" conversion van. I am interested in LIFTING this Dodge van 2-3 inches max to allow for greater ground clearance and the addition of larger tires.

I know that lifting the rear of the van is easy it's the front suspension for which I am asking this question. I have considered adding spacer's to the stock springs, new taller springs to replace the stock springs and the exchange of the front lower control arms from van lower control arms to PU truck lower control arms which will give a "Lift" as the spring pocket in the PU truck lower control arms is 2-3 inches higher in position than the Van lower control arm. All of these ideas will provide a a 2-3 inch lift on the van however they also could have a major impact on the suspension geometry, the ability to properly align the front suspension and the introduction of "Death Wobble" when driving the van.

Given that this van is 2WD, Dodge Vans are Unibody in construction with the front suspension control arm mountings on the Uni-Body frame leads to my question:

Is there a good/safe way to "Lift" the front suspension of my 2WD van 2 inches to 3 inches MAX over stock suspension height without major component surgery or goofy suspension component angles that will not put undue loads on ball joints and tie rods other than the choices I have already considered above?

Below are pictures of my 2 vans.

I look forward to your ideas and suggestions!

Attached Files 20181222_133031_resized.jpg20181222_133602_resized.jpgATF Van 1.jpg
Last edited by Vintageracer; January 01st 2019 7:19 pm.

Remember "Drive Fast, Turn Heads, Break Hearts!"

2001 Chevrolet 3500 Quigley 4WD ATF "Bomber Van"
1996 Dodge B350 Sportsmobile "Pop Top"
Re: Small lift on Dodge Van
Vintageracer #749280 June 05th 2019 11:00 am
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I was able to fit 245-75-16 on mine it brought it up a bit, I need different spacer adapters on the front of mine though it rubs slightly at full lock and if you hit a bump at full lock it rubs pretty good. I have 2 inch spacers now but I think 2 inch rear and 1 inch on front would work much better and my track width would be closer to equal.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Small lift on Dodge Van
Vintageracer #749281 June 05th 2019 11:06 am
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Also I used spacer adapters because I am using ram sport truck wheels and the hub centers are too small for our vans. It's by no means an off road beast but handles the mild trails to our campsites just fine.


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Small lift on Dodge Van
Vintageracer #749282 June 05th 2019 11:11 am
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Also you could probably use those airbag inserts in your front coils then when you are street driving let it as low as you can then just pump them up when you need the extra clearance


98 Dodge shorty hitop mark iv
95 Chevy van 20 regency hitop conversion van
Re: Small lift on Dodge Van
Vintageracer #749292 June 05th 2019 2:18 pm
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I feel like your plan to raise this is the right approach. It will have an effect on suspension geometry as the original design is not intended for this amount of lift. That being said, it’s not impossible not makes it something you shouldn’t do. You just are going to want to make sure all your steering linkage is not bound up or excess strain on your ball joint angles. You just may need spacers to make all that line up properly.


1987 B250 - Painkiller
Re: Small lift on Dodge Van
Vintageracer #749294 June 05th 2019 3:24 pm
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https://www.truckspring.com/product...hUBzu875OFj28DGuLcWWh2RyKphoCwIkQAvD_BwE

These load assist shocks may help you out along with some fresh springs and slightly bigger tires in the front. It is a little tough to tell in the photos but it looks like your springs might be sagging a bit so maybe a fresh pair would give you enough height to keep you happy. I had a pair of Gabriel load assist shocks in the back of my b150 and they do what they say, get rid of the squat at full load and keep the ride height high, but they only lifted the back half an inch maybe and the ride was too harsh. Keep in mind my van only weighs about 4600lbs or so, which makes me think they were overkill for my application. I also didn't like how loud they were. The coils rattled around and you could audibly here the shocks working. It's one of those what do you expect for $80 moments but on the other hand my regular $20 set of Monroe shocks ride quiet and smoother. Anyways not too ramble too long, I wouldn't use them again, they might help with what you want though.

Cool chevy btw. Baddass story too haha

Re: Small lift on Dodge Van
Vintageracer #753915 November 06th 2019 10:34 pm
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Moog 7272 up front, I run 31" tires no rub


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