Help with spring replacement on Quigley 4x4 e350

[vanagonman]

Have a quigley 1997 v10 sportsmobile 4x4 with the Agile RIP kit and apparently their helper springs. Bought the van used about 6 months ago and recently emailed Agile to confirm about helper springs but they offered no advice besides confirming.

My issue is that the rear has a bit of sag when unloaded and the springs have flat to negative bow to them. The axle still retains the stock lift block from quigley. My driveabilty issue is that at high speed the rear end feels like it has a sway to it and under certain conditions makes the van feel like a boat.


I know there are custom options from deaver but i would like to pursue an off the shelf option and replace the blocks. I have seen a few threads on people who have used 80's f250 leafs but would like to hear from memebrs on here about what setup they have.

From the door sill the van(sportsmobile west) is about 9500lb with 3500 on the front and 6000 on the rear. The van retains most the original layout but i still find it hard to believe there is 6k on that rear axle.

IMG_3311 by mitchell markulis, on Flickr

 

[Mikerson]

I am shopping for springs right now too. It’s possible your van has the standard 4/1 leaf pack but with an add-a-leaf. If I were you I would look at a 6/1 pack such as this. Other spring companies on the internet offer similar, but I have had really good luck with RockAuto.

 

[1der]

General Spring has a good selection and reputation .

https://www.generalspringkc.com/leaf-springs/ford/ford-van/e250-e350/1992-2022

 

[vanagonman]

I am shopping for springs right now too. It’s possible your van has the standard 4/1 leaf pack but with an add-a-leaf. If I were you I would look at a 6/1 pack such as this. Other spring companies on the internet offer similar, but I have had really good luck with RockAuto.

Rockauto is the best. With all the weight I could see the originals being shot. This 6-1 would still require me to use the lift blocks though?

 

[1der]

I love Rock Auto, too but the same spring at GS is $100 less.

 

[Highplainsdrifter74]

I looked at General and spoke with them. I went in a different direction for my Sagg. General is the route I would recommend as well after looking around at different ones. Reasonably priced good reputation.

 

[vanagonman]

Spoke with alcan on the phone today, looks like a set of springs to eliminate the lift block will be around $1600, this includes some hardware and spring pads.

I will have to chew on that and compare to say $500 for replacing stock springs. I was hoping to find a lift spring from another ford that would replace my block but with my rear being 6k i am not finding a ton of options.


Anyone have some personal experience with the custom spring route? whether that be weldtec, deaver or alcan?

 

[1der]

What's wrong with a 1.5" or so block?

 

[vanagonman]

What's wrong with a 1.5" or so block?

Well the front is already lifted for 4inch and all the e350 stock replacement springs are made to sit flat it appears. So without going down a path of experimenting with springs I am not sure how to get a combo that would make that work.

 

[1der]

What size block is in there now?
How old are the springs?
Measuring height to the pinch seam ahead of rear tire and aft of the front - what is the difference?

 

[scvan]

About six months ago, I replaced the rear and front leaf springs and shock on my 2002 7.3 Diesel Sportsmobile. I used Atlas Springs Company, which is based in La Puente, CA.

They do a lot of custom leaf springs for some of the van conversion companies

Hopefully, that helps you out

 

[HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE]

deaverspring.com
Deaver Spring Inc
902 E 2nd St, Santa Ana, CA 92701 · 42 mi
(714) 542-3703
2003, 7.3 Quigley 4X4
Rear spring replacement: stock van springs with 4" lift block from Sportsmobile.
I have about the same weight distribution I was 9800 lbs.
Deaver built a new set with no block. Van sits level, rides great.
HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE 2003 E350 4X4 7.3 SPORTSMOBILE 328,000
P.S. For those in the know I am picking up my van from the theft restoration today.
Heading back to The Green River Sunday and not stopping in Mesquite.

 

[loper]

I got a set of Alcan Springs on my van in June.

My van weighs 9200 loaded, with 4800 on the back axle.

They eliminated the 5" blocks and stock springs I had, and brought the spring rate up to 5500 lbs. (5" of lift from spring arch)

The immediate effect I noticed is the van feels a lot more "planted" on the highway. Crosswinds and ruts don't really faze it much now. It doesn't skitter around as much on washboard gravel roads either. It rides a lot better wherever I drive now.

I went to Grand Junction and had Alcan install the springs. No problems with the install or service. Took about 2 hours. I got the heavy duty shackles while I was at it. They're pretty well built and give the springs a little more room to work.

Overall, I'm glad I did it. Kind of spendy, but you're buying quality.

Good luck!

 

[HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE]

Deaverspring recommended that I have the front aligned. When you lift the back, it can have an impact on the front.

HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE 2003 E350 4X4 7.3 SPORTSMOBILE 328,000

 

[vanagonman]

Update on this thread, i did end up ordering the Alcan springs after calling around to a few of the recommended vendors. It was about $1650 delivered, the designer was very helpful and with some measure we were able to come up with a solution that leveled out my van. For reference my E350 EB is about 9560lb loaded with all fluids. 5560 fr and 3900 rear.

The springs did solve the driving a boat feeling from the rear and now the van drives better on dirt and gravel. Turn in on cambered highway curves is way better too. The van drives way better but there is still room for improvement with highway steering input. So now i will be getting the van into alignment and adding some castor.

Alcan has alot of experience with the Quigley vans which makes ordering way easier, although pricey i would recommend them to anyone with a similar issue.

 

[doublevan2]

Would a RIP KIT help any of this ? Not an expert -