MG Metal Works DIY kit knowledge share

[Mikerson]

I'm interested in keeping the amount of lift of my van a little bit lower. I've cataloged some springs that might be good candidates to replace the Moog CC880S as originally designed and specified for the MG conversion.

My front end weighs 3080 lbs. The word on the street is that the CC880S is about a 5.5" lift for 5.4L vans. It's also my understanding that the CC860S gives about another 1.5-2" from the CC880S in v10 vans. Which correlates reasonably well with the calculated height difference. Here are some potential Moog springs and the calculated height difference from the CC880S.

I'm thinking the CC844S or CC844 would give me my desired 4-4.5" lift.
A couple of questions for those that have installed an MG kit.

1) Is there any reason why a slightly shorter lift wouldn't work? Too much caster? Clearance for the t-case?

2) The Carli track bar CS-FPRB-05 is for pickups with 2.5"-4.5" lift. Is there enough adjustment in this bar to work with an MG kit van with 4.5" of lift? Do you think the stock pickup bar would work in this case?

[mgmetalworks]

The stock trac bar is definitely too short for the wider frame'd Eseries. The biggest reason I chose the Carli trac bar to work with was that it angles the axle side joint just right and puts the ball joint in a better position. There are other aftermarket trac bars that will probably work. I've not worked with any other but I know some of the DIY'ers here have.

The only real drawback of a shorter lift height is reducing the bump travel. There's already not a whole lot of room to work with so you'd just be closer to hitting the bump stops.

What size tire do you plan on running? The step up into these vans feels much different with 33" tires vs 35". Take a look at Jsweezy's builds... both of those vans are running 33s and they don't feel "tall". And...the vans look great on 33s. Fortunately the coil springs are fairly cheap and you can test out different pairs pretty easily.

[Mikerson]

Thanks MG.

Originally Posted by mgmetalworks

What size tire do you plan on running?

I'll probably be running about a 33" tire. I'm going for a look that is more on the stealth side.

Originally Posted by mgmetalworks

Fortunately the coil springs are fairly cheap and you can test out different pairs pretty easily.

Yep, and I don't mind spending a bit to do that. I'm collecting parts and wanted to make sure that the Carli bar would still work for various lift heights since it is more expensive.

[AdvRob]

I just ordered a carli track bar last week and its about a 4 week lead time fyi.

Im going to run adapter spacers on the rear of my van with a 08 front axle. My research tells me the 08 f250 rear sterling axle width is 3 7/8" wider wider then the stock d60 in my 03 e350 van. I see there are 1.5" spacers on wheeladapter.com and they are made of aluminum. Im still looking for other options but maybe a little thicker. What size rear spacer are you guys going to run?

[mgmetalworks]

I don't recommend Aluminum for adapters. These are the adapters we've used in the past...

https://www.wheeladapter.com/product.php?id=31

[wild-kiwi]

Lift instal complete.

Took about 7 partial days in all. Neighbors are very relieved it is once again drivable and out of my driveway.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...21379148121143

[wild-kiwi]

Re-frabricated the OEM Fird F350 bracket to clear the spring and route hose to allow full flexibility and clear the newly installed 35" tires on full lock.

[mgmetalworks]

Looks great!

What a transformation!!

[mgmetalworks]

I just noticed one thing... The shock will actually limit the travel enough that the spring won't unload enough to come off over the keeper but the ring provided with the kit is supposed to go on top of the bottom coil like this...



The spring keeper fits down through the ring and clamps the spring tight so it won't move around.

[wild-kiwi]

Originally Posted by AdvRob

Does anybody know the rear fox shock part number needed?

Fox 985-24-061