New panel van question

**crumble** · 25-06-24, 12:20 AM

Ive got hold of a 1948 ford panel van. I've fitted it with my favourite torque thrust. They look superb, but I've got a clearance issue. The van needs lifting about 2" . Options are. fit a spacer between axle and spring. Fit skinny tyres 255 at the moment. Change the wheels from 8.5x15 to 8x15. Take the springs off and have them reshaped. Or remove the shocks and fit a pair of adjustable coil overs.
I really love the look as it is now and really leaning to coilovers.
What's your thoughts, guys? Name: 20240624_151720.jpeg
Views: 319
Size: 87.4 KB

Name: 20240624_151720.jpeg
Views: 319
Size: 87.4 KB

Name: 20240624_155708.jpeg
Views: 319
Size: 85.6 KB

Name: 20240624_151743.jpeg
Views: 324
Size: 121.7 KB

Sent from my SM-G990B using NSRA mobile app

**Brizey** · 25-06-24, 10:21 AM

I would go with the lifting blocks first. They could be done without to much outlay and fairly quickly!...

**Happydaze** · 25-06-24, 12:33 PM

I'm not seeing existing shock mounts being suitable to use as coilover mounts where the load is really being carried on the coilovers, with the leaf springs effectively being reduced to axle location duties.

As Bri has said, blocks probably easiest, certainly cheapest. As an alternative, as kinda like the coilover route, how about airbag helper springs? Components are cheap as chips and bracketry simple. Cheap kits for vans, eg Transits, Masters, might be a quick way of getting somewhere close on the bracketry for adaptation. Additional benefit of the bags is adjustability with just an airline, or on board pump if you insist. Great too if the van is used as a van!

Chris

Sent from my SM-T515 using NSRA mobile app

**BadAC** · 25-06-24, 04:27 PM

Nice van

What about monroe airshocks.

**crumble** · 25-06-24, 04:45 PM

I fitted a pair of 8x15s instead of the 8.5x15s. All clearance issues now sorted.

Sent from my SM-G990B using NSRA mobile app

**mygasser** · 25-06-24, 04:46 PM

i'd use one of those cheap arch rolling tools to roll the lips up out of the way. i got one off ebay to do the rear arches on my valiant and got 295 tyres under there no problem.
neil.