Do all EBs sagg a little?

[Highplainsdrifter74]

Do all EBs e series that are camper converted sagg in the rear? Mine has always had a rear sagg. It's not like my cargo is some heavy equipment. The bumper does have a wheel carrier , box and bicycles. I've added 2 leafs in couple yrs ago at Standen in Canada. Still is little droppy. Saw a EB listed here for sale SMB and it had a little sagg. So is this just the way it is?

 

[86Scotty]

I would say yes on all vans where the owner hasn't worked to overcome it. It's just a lot of weight behind the rear axle if there's anything at all in the van.

 

[1der]

The way to measure if the rear is truly low is measuring from ground to pinch seam just behind front tires and just forward of the rear tires. If rear measures less then your rear springs might be toast or you need a bit taller lift block between springs and axle. EB's do lot have to be droopy, although the body lines kind of make it look that way sometimes.

Our 2002 EB was very even (loaded) on its original rear spring pack+add a leaf+ helper + 2.75 block. That is with an Agile TTB which raises the front end about 3". Almost any solid front axle conversion is at least 4" lift at front.

We had to replace our rear springs in March this year due to one of the leafs cracking. (Turns out both sides had cracks) We went with the HD General Springs replacements and kept the lift block. The new springs actually raised the rear by nearly an inch vs the front. I did not want to mess around with a custom spring pack as I really like the tide and handling we had on the original configuration. I have read far too many posts of the nightmares people had with custom arched spring packs being too stiff, too tall, etc.

If your spring pack is old, then a new rear spring pack will help restore the even stance. If you have a lift block, check the height. Blocks are available up to about 3".

Since you are looking to make the move to FF rear, this the time to change the springs and address the droop ( if you really have one after measurement) Definitely save the add a leaf / helper that was added to the spring pack, those can be reused. You have to make sure it is saved. I did not remember to ask and my add a leaf and helper were tossed.

 

[Twoxentrix]

Rear Air bags can help - I’m about half inch lower in the rear with no air, 40-45psi get me about 1/2” higher than the front. They really come in handy when you’re traveling slalom type roads, feels like a sports car when I set them to 60+.
Rear sway bar enhances the handling characteristics of you don’t already have one.

 

[BrianW.]

I had rear airbags on my 1998 SMB and found them to be too much of a hassle. Replaced my stock sagging springs with a 5-leaf pack from ATS (not really "custom" like Deavers) for around $600 or so. Made a big difference in both stance and handling. My current 2011 SMB sags a bit, but not enough that I worry about it. As Twoxentrix says, a rear sway bar makes a huge improvement in handling for the EB vans. Even on my old 1998, the new rear springs, Bilstein shocks, and sway bar made it really easy to drive, even on the highway and twisty roads. (Attached pic of the 1998 shows it after the spring upgrade.) See before and after pics on this post I did on the Ford Trucks Forum: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1489942-ats-suspension-review.html

 

[bigriver-SMB]

Do all EBs e series that are camper converted sagg in the rear? Mine has always had a rear sagg. It's not like my cargo is some heavy equipment. The bumper does have a wheel carrier , box and bicycles. I've added 2 leafs in couple yrs ago at Standen in Canada. Still is little droppy. Saw a EB listed here for sale SMB and it had a little sagg. So is this just the way it is?

Yeah... No. Bought our 2003 EB50 7.3 Quigley new from SMB west. No sag, 200K, 10,200 lb. and no rear leaf upgrade. Maybe just lucky?

 

[Beaky]

rear airbags with leaf springs? where and how did you mount them? My RB SMB sits 2" low in back and its either replace the original leaf pack or add airbags. Don't the bags make the ride pretty stiff? And what about off road, off camber driving with bags? The van has a 6" Weldtec lift, so front coils and rear leafs.

 

[1der]

Or add blocks or taller blocks if that solution has not been used up.

General Spring makes some nice spring packs for our vans. Standard and heavy duty.

 

[deserteagle56]

Mine is NOT the Sportsmobile conversion...just the short E350 converted to 4x4 by Quigley. I haul either a motorcycle or quad inside so my camping gear has to hang on the walls. But even empty the rear of the van (damn, 17 years old now!) sags a bit. It does have a custom rear bumper with gas can and tire carriers mounted to it which add some weight.



I take the van into some pretty rugged back country so one of these days I may put a full floater and custom springs under the back.

 

[Highplainsdrifter74]

Thanks for all the feed back! If I can get the FF down the plan was to do new springs. 1der you mention General Sprongs. The outfit out of KC? I was looking into those prior to this thread. So sounds like you are happy with them? I ordered some sumo springs the rubber deals. When I was about to install didn't seem like they would help. Didn't even seem like where the placement was would hit to make any difference. I'll have to look when I get back to the van how tall my lift block are. That might be something I could improve? 1der any particular CR at general you recommend? Thanks!

 

[1der]

Yes, happy with the ones we had installed
SKU: 43-1041HD

It raised the rear about an inch which is about what I expected going from 22 yr old springs to new. I expect that over the next 20 yrs these will drop and inch or so. The ride quality and handling with the new springs are very close to what we had with the old springs. That was important to us, we did not want a stiff / harsh ride.
re: lift/stance - I had changed the lift blocks about five years ago to add an inch which leveled out the van - 1.75 to 2.75 (i think) I still have the 1.75's and could reinstall those 1.75's if I wanted to lower the rear by an inch. This is the nice part of having at least a block in the equation which allows for some adjustment in rear ride height.

On the other hand, I would not go over a 3.75" block. At that point I would be adding leafs, or going with a leaf pack that incorporates a taller ride height through more arch and/or more springs. I would need to be careful that I did not go too tall because the only remedy for that is removing the spring pack and reworking it. Far easier to add a block or remove a block.

PLEASE keep in mind, our overall front lift is about three inches vs a minimum of four inches for a Quigley or any solid front axle. The 2wd vans have a bit of a nose down stance to start with, however, the rear still needs to be raised with any solid front axle conversion. That would have been accomplished with a block, a taller block, a reach of an existing spring pack, a new spring pack w more arch, or a combination of those.

It will interesting to see what you have for blocks and number of leafs ( and type) in the pack. Post up some pics.

 

[Highplainsdrifter74]

Not sure when gonna get back to the van? Probably in the fall. Will get some info and pics when we return to NC. Plan on making tweaks and repairs then if it all comes together. Spoke with a pretty good axle shop? in length in Charlotte about doing a FF swap. Axles Unlimited of Charlotte. Sure they could do the springs as well.

 

[Twoxentrix]

I’ve heard good things about Axels Unlimited (think they have 2 or 3 shops and the Charlotte location seems to be the go-to)

 

[havnfun2]

Air bags

I put air bags in mine with external valves. No compressor. Good improvement. It had a constant sag in the rear that got worse with bike rack or moto carrier,or trailer.
Now I just load the van,level with air and off I go

 

[wahoo-SMB]

I have an 04 EB V10 w/Quigley, 3" blocks, 9600#. It had rear sag since new, added military wrap leaf, didn't help enough. Then added Firestone air bags with separate air lines to facilitate leveling when camped (onboard comp.). Air bags seemed to limit articulation. With all iterations the ride was terrible. Going over speed bumps at even 5 mph felt like rigid suspension.
Finally added Agil RIP kit with custom rear 9 leaf pack based on my rear weight +250# hitch weight with no block. Fox 2.0s all around. Rear ride is great and the extra departure angle is a bonus. Springs now have nice arch too. No regrets.
jb

 

[86Scotty]

I can speak to this a little. I have airbags on my 2011 Quigley but it's only temporary until I get new leaves. I got the kit made for this van on eBay, cheap and used but never installed. I have OBA so I plumbed it in to a switch under the driver seat for control from the cabin.

But I can't wait to remove it when I get new leaf packs.

The bags make the ride too harsh for me and though they do improve highway handling I don't like them at all off-road. They kill your articulation.

I think airbags are a great solution for towing or 2 wheel drive/mild off-road.

I'll post the kit number I used when I find it.

 

[HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE]

2003 Ford E350 7.3 4X4 Quigley Sportsmobile
Always had a sag after 20+ years and 320,000 the sag was pronounced.
The rear had a 4" block.
I went with Deavers, no block and a level ride. Very pleased with the handling.
HighCountryMike

 

[Highplainsdrifter74]

Hi all so have returned to the van. Here some pics of the LS and blocks. Seems to me I don't really have much in block height or any? Maybe just adding some sort of block 1.75-3" might help with the leveling? The ride in the rear is fine just the sagging effects the fronts handling I believe? Happy to get some more pics as well. Love to hear some friendly advice!

 

[1der]

No block I can see and springs look good. That is a mine or ten leaf pack which is about the most I have ever seen.

You can add up to a 2.75" steel block, they come in various heights. You will need new U Bolts.

How much rear lift do you need? Measure at the pinch seam below the rocker panel behind front tire and ahead of the rear on level surface. That is the best reference point.

 

[Highplainsdrifter74]

Ok I will do some measurements. Kind of hard to follow but think i got it. Yes its a lot springs more than iv'e seen as well. When I added 2 ls in Alberta they didn't mention adding a block? Maybe that could of rectified it? IDK? Live and learn...Sourcing blocks I assume F-Series will work? On searches for Es all I keep finding 3-5".