Lifting your 2WD van and ride quality

[slim724]

Just wanted some opinions from you guys with lifted 2WD vans on how your ride quality has changed after the lift. I am currently running the stock marshmallow/jello ride suspension, yes it's comfy but a bit too soft for me. I am going to lift my van and need pointers on how to maintain decent ride quality on different setups, I'm thinking of a 4in lift, but I am also not completeley opposed to a 2in lift if there is a significant difference in ride quality for the better. I dont want a stiff bone jarring ride that rattles your fillings out, I have a lifted Jeep for that! My van is a family van, daily driver that will need some road manners, it will also be used for towing, camping, fishing, outings, and will see some limited off road/trail time nothing too hardcore, my van specs are in my signature.

So if you guys could please list your type of lift, gearing, components, shocks, tires, and anything else pertaining to the ride quality, and a brief description on how she rides after the mods, and mileage drop.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

[astroturf]

Hey Slim, Welcome to the board. Check out this site. It may answer some of your questions. Jim

http://chevroletforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25553

[astrozam]

Thats a great link, excellent pics. Does anyone know if this guys a member here? the van looks familiar but the name he is using on that site isn't. We have had many great lift threads but I don't ever recall seeing anyone show the Overland's van 2" lift kit going into a RWD.

Astroturf, are you a member of that chevy forum? if so, let me know, thanks. zam

[astroturf]

Hey Slim, Welcome to the board. Check out this site. It may answer some of your questions. Jim

http://chevroletforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25553

Yes Zam. I am.

Edit: and I dont like green eggs and ham. Sorry had to go there. Jim

[astrozam]

Hey, who doesn't like a little Dr Seuss now and then

I have sent you a pm.

[slim724]

Thanks, for the link, awesome tutorial for OV 2in lift. Anybody here with opinions on ride quality after a 2 or 4 inch lift? Anybody using additional components with their lift like timbrens or helwig sways?? Comments on ride quality after the lift would be much appreciated

[LaGrasta]

I first upgraded my shocks to Edlebrocks IAS and was BLOWN away by the handling improvement. I then lifted the Astro with a OHV 2" and loss some of the handling improvements (top heavy). I then added a rear Helwig anti-sway bar and again handling was vastly improved. I also have rear air bags installed for towing and the addition of the sway bar greatly helped with bounce. I strongly recommend a rear say bar.

[slim724]

Hey, thanks for the reply, looks like everyone here is happy with their hellwig rear sway bar, is there any need to replace the front also? I have what appear to be new kyb's in the front and leaky original shocks bathed in oil in the rear, heard bilsteins are good but pricey, is there a cheaper equivalent? I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with OVL's 2in lift and 29 in tires, to keep the hassles down to a minimum. Also, would I be able to use timbrens with a drop shackle? I've just never been big fan airbags, my father in law has them and seems to always have trouble with them

[MountainManJoe]

I don't agree with sway bars. My back doesn't sway, the front does and that's ok because I bought a van, not a sports car. Sway bars limit your articulation anyways, and isn't that the reason you lifted the suspension?

[LaGrasta]

"sway bars limit your articulation"
I believe this is true, but I mostly am on the street and the improvement on body roll and bounce is enormous. On the dirt, the van is killer, I'm always so impressed. As for loss articulation, I'm not really rock crawling per say.
As for shock selection, if you can find a deal on IAS, go for it. They adjust on the fly, are rebuildable and last forever. Without a rebuild and still going strong, mine have over 100k on them!

[slim724]

@ LaGrasta- which edelbrock shocks are you using? They have a classic, performer and extreme series?

[LaGrasta]

The "red" ones. Haha


I don't actually know, let me run out and see if they say on them.

[LaGrasta]

Nope, they don't say. They are red with black gaters (boots) and are installed with the rod end down if that says anything about them. Sorry.

[slim724]

Those should be performer series judging by pics I've seen, the "classic" are silver, "performer" are red, and "extreme" are also silver, performers are around $340 for a set of four, free shipping. Found some Bilsteins heavy duty for $301 for 4, free shipping! I'm gonna have to keep looking for a cheaper price, since it'll be a while before I'm able get anything, with it being Christmas and me having more than enough family to shop for