returning suspension to stock

[dames]

this is my first attempt at a resto and have decided to start by returning it to stock height the front beam is rusty i think it has been cut n turned and im sure it has had some of the springs removed.i have brought a replacement beam and wanted to know if i could use the shocks that are on the knackered beam at present as they are in good condition. i suspect they are too short but thought i would ask just in case.they are kyb brand and measure 25cm when compressed and 38cm when open i hope this makes sense.any advice would be great.

 

[Grazy]

Pictures would help mate , i have KYB GR2s on mine and mine id pretty low , so would not work on a stock height beam

 

[Rich-B]

As grazy says they sound like they would be to short to use on a standard height bus, if you are going to the extent of taking it to full standard height bus it would be worth re-newing the shocks just as you do when you take them down to the deck, standard shocks bottom out on a slammed bus,

other option get it lowered properly? shouldnt cost too much more than taking it up to standard

 

[dames]

Pictures would help mate , i have KYB GR2s on mine and mine id pretty low , so would not work on a stock height beam

mine are gr2s too,comparing yours to a stock bus i dont think they would have a chance of stretching that far thanks for the reply.

if you are going to the extent of taking it to full standard height bus it would be worth re-newing the shocks just as you do when you take them down to the deck, standard shocks bottom out on a slammed bus,
it was while looking for standard shocks i thought my gr2s look similar in length but thats just the pic i guess

other option get it lowered properly? shouldnt cost too much more than taking it up to standard

i know they look better lowered but i just thought as a total novice it might be a better idea to learn stock before attempting any mods.im half way through removing the beam at the moment i did plan to replace all of the ball joints and with the TH spindles on special offer i am tempted to go lower this way.

 

[Rich-B]

Dropped spindles would be a good start and you cant go wrong with them really, If you wanted to go further in the future I know a company who are going to start producing narrowed ball joint beams soon, so you could go one step at a time instead of going to whole hog in one shot, if you go all the way its worth getting the chassis notched to stop the front arms catching etc,
If you want to go really low and keep a good stance with no massive negative camber on the rear that will also need narrowing to suit, then theres engine/gearbox lift so no tarmac scraping!!
I would stick to what you know and learn about your van if your a novice then as you read/learn more it becomes less scary to do extreme slamming or build big motors! :shock:

hope this helps

 

[dames]

thanks for the reply rich.i think i will be sticking with stock that was the plan when i brought it then i decided a slight drop would be nice and i brought a weedeater beam from johnny on here. i have sold the weedeater and brought a stocker the reality is i live on dartmoor and will be chugging around with my 4 children so safety and comfort is a must really, money is also a factor here is a pic of a van same colour and year as mine.mine will ever be in anything like this condition but it gives me a target to aim for.

your bus looks great must really turn heads out on the road 8)

 

[Rich-B]

Oh I like the bus in the pic! If yours is like that your onto a nice one, as for mine hopefully il be turning heads when it's on the road in a month or so, just got a few bits to finish,
I like panels, iv just sold my 1960 splitscreen panelvan! It was Slamwerks kitted too but not very practical as it had no interior!
Thought a bay would be more practical and there also better to drive

 

[dames]

i managed to get the beam off the van and found its had three leaf springs removed from both sets :shock: also found rust