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Chevrolet Express
Platform: GMT Van

Bilstein for my VAN

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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 8:45 PM
  #41  
GeneveConversionVan's Avatar
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You mean the leaf springs in the rear, right?
Picture angle wasnt that great, sorry, I didnt know what you were looking for. Yes, they are low, but they are not sitting. Travel is not that much though. How can I fix that? another leaf spring? one of those roadmaster "active suspension"? another set of springs in the front?





Last edited by GeneveConversionVan; Dec 11, 2018 at 8:47 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 9:11 PM
  #42  
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Yeah leaf springs.



The axle suspension of choice since the old days of horse-drawn wagon.

So it's not as bad as I previously thought. The camera angle made it look worse. It would be pretty unusual for a van with 30k. Just hang on until one of us can check the gap on our vans, and maybe post a photo for reference.

Tired and worn out old springs are just that. They need to be replaced.

Front looks OK. All your shocks don't look worn either.

Last edited by mountainmanjoe; Dec 11, 2018 at 9:57 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 9:28 PM
  #43  
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Great, Thanks Joe,
Hopefully someone can share pictures of their ride.
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 9:53 PM
  #44  
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It looks like you are bottoming out, though. Maybe you should get your van weighed.



I'll have to check if I have that.


Originally Posted by GeneveConversionVan
I did the test of bouncing in each corner and it moves 1 down, 1 up 1 dow and then stops.
That's exactly what it should do. Sounds like your shocks are fine.

Last edited by mountainmanjoe; Dec 11, 2018 at 9:56 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2018 | 10:14 PM
  #45  
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My 3500 has marks like that, and I'm nowhere near loaded.
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Old Dec 12, 2018 | 3:01 AM
  #46  
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We all hit hard bumps and such from time to time.
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Old Dec 12, 2018 | 6:49 AM
  #47  
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Yeah, I remember that one. A speed bump I didnt see, hit really hard, the kids took of, and they wanted “another pass”... right...

I think what we are looking for is if the suspension has enough travel
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Old Dec 12, 2018 | 3:38 PM
  #48  
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So, we all that overloaded talk, I wondered if the VAN will be lower than a not overloaded unit. From ground to the top of the wheel arches, I got these rear around 34", front close to 32 1/2.

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Old Dec 12, 2018 | 4:02 PM
  #49  
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Factory ride height specs can be found in the upfitter manuals (see the link in dberladyn's footer)
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Old Dec 12, 2018 | 6:25 PM
  #50  
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I had a look under my van, and it looks like my suspicions were wrong. The gap to my bump stop is similar to yours. Ride height is similar too.

So far, everything on your van appears be as it should.
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