[Guri]

Definitely need to lift 148" extended Transit for just preventing scrape on regular dip Driveways - along with K02 Tires What do you think of these two solutions ?
1. STAGE 2 TOPO 2.0 SUSPENSION SYSTEM - TRANSIT AWD (2020+ SINGLE OR DUAL REAR WHEEL) ... 2. Transit Off-Road Lift Kit for Ford Transit - Agile Off Road

Transit Off-Road Lift Kit for Ford Transit - Agile Off Road

Ford Transit suspension lift. Transit Off-Road 2-inch lift kit for all fifth generation (2015+) Ford Transit RWD vans.

agileoffroad.com

Interested as well.... I think the OwlVans will be more easy to DIY, but is just my impression.
Does anyone know a discount code for this sites?

 

[memck]

Interested as well.... I think the OwlVans will be more easy to DIY, but is just my impression.
Does anyone know a discount code for this sites?

For what it's worth, the Owl Vans kits are just them reselling the Van Compass Topo kits: Transit AWD

 

[Van_builder983]

This thread is really cool talking about all the lift kit and options for the Ford Transit but there may be something new!
what do you think of this part straight off the SPACEX assembly line.....

I just added the 3" spindles to my 2" WeldTec Designs lift kit to give me 5" of lift..... now I will put 285x70x17 BFG KO2 tires. I will post pics of the van just waiting for my Method wheels.

WTD – Ford Transit 3″ Spindle – WeldTec Designs

WeldTec Designs | Performance Van Lift Kits

weldtecdesigns.com

 

[CaptainUnderpants]

Just found video - However DOES NOT work with AWD

 

[Vanaroo]

Just found video

You may be clear on this, but since you list an AWD van in your sig not sure if you noticed that the kit in the linked video is specifically for RWD vans.

 

[CaptainUnderpants]

Yep.... I was trying to wrap my head around how this would not mess up the CV / driveshaft angle. Clearly not AWD applicable.

 

[Vanaroo]

Yep.... I was trying to wrap my head around how this would not mess up the CV / driveshaft angle. Clearly not AWD applicable.

On the subject of AWD lifts, WeldTec has another video, from around a month ago, showing a lift specifically for the AWD Transit, but kind of glossing over the CV angles (like they would be fine but nothing about how or why). One of our members asked specifically in the comments if he would say a bit about how that's addressed but there has not been a reply as of about an hour ago (although he was answering other comments on the same video).

Sure would be nice to now the basics of how the angles are addressed (no need to give away any secrets, but the general idea).

 

[CaptainUnderpants]

For Reference

 

[6ixgun]

I have worked on a substantial number of these vehicles. 2WD , hands down the the VC kit is the way to go. Improves handling, improves roll, yes, the front struts bottom out once in a while (and make a big bang) but that is rare - you really have to hit it hard to make that happen. I've put 5000 miles on mine and heard the bang twice and I'm off road a lot. The blue spring kit is a bit better / easier to install than the red spring kit and it causes less issues. The red kit requires some mangling of the shock tower surround and its not easy to do with little clearance in the fender well. Also the blue springs are a LOT easier and safer to assemble. I don't recommend DIY spring compressors anyway - but the red springs you definitely do not want to use the DIY compressor kits.

AWD - Ford did not do a good job on design here. Lifting this design causes severe wear on the CV assy. I would avoid it unless you want to be tearing your front end down every 5000 miles. I am not a fan of the Sprinter due to the constant need for maintenance and repair - but their 4WD design is superb compared to the Transit and the Benz factory lift is actually pretty good.


As far as installation - pre-build the struts - that will save you many hours. Even with a full lift and shop full of good tools, there was nothing easy about this job. Dear God R&R of the strut nuts was half of our time spent. Good job Ford... LOL. As far as suspension work goes - it WAS easy - especially since we only worked on new vehicles - but that said, its still a tough job. Start to finish with pre-built struts it took me exactly 4 hours front and back. I spent one solid hour on the strut nuts - ridiculous. If I had not pre built the struts I would have easily doubled that time.

The AWD install flat out is a PITA. Its also very easy to damage the CV bearings. After watching videos and looking at a customer's van I decided it was not worth the liability for me to do it. If it was my own vehicle I probably would have done it though.

There is a reason most shops charge $1K in labor to install the 2WD lift and $2K for AWD. Its a lot of work and liability if something goes South.


I have the 2" lift front and rear on my 2WD Transit along with bigger tires - and I Love it. Made a HUGE difference and I can go just about anywhere.

 

[tonk]

The blue spring kit is better than the red spring kit and it causes less issues.

I’m curious, why do you feel the blue spring is ‘better’ than the red spring? In what way is it better?

Wouldn’t that depend on the rig’s front axle weight?

 

[ArgonautVans]

Yes, it would depend on the rig’s weight. The red spring, is in fact, better for heavier vans (8500lbs+ probably).

There were some problems with the diameter of the red springs being slightly larger than the blue/stock springs, which caused them to rub the body.

This is very easily remedied during install by pounding the body out a tiny bit with a sledge to clear the spring. Much harder to do post install.

I have red on my van and am happy I do

 

[tonk]

…Mcbay adjustable ball joints [ EBAY] for more accurate caster and camber adjustments…

What has your experience been with these Mcbay adjustable ball joints?

In a conversation with Weldtec recently they said they tried them and two out of four failed within 1,000 miles, apparently on the owners vehicle.

I think the idea is brilliant, but if the implementation is poor..

 

[JAM7]

I have one of Foes very first lift kits on my 15 med roof work van. That was installed back in 2016 and I’ve put at least 100k miles on it. No issues with ball joints either. I’m running 245/70/17 bfg ko2’s.. Had to cut some pinch weld before I did the lift.

 

[bglaser]

This has been a helpful thread. I have an AWD HR EXT 350HD on order. After buildout I plan to snow chase and do some easy off road to trailheads and fishing spots. I want to improve the ride and lift her a bit to avoid ground strikes when off pavement. But I don't intend to treat her like a dune buggy. And I don't want to create more problems in the process of modifying the van. I want to keep it simple and serviceable. I had been considering the Weldtec and the VanCompass lifts but now my sense is that this is overkill for me. So I'm thinking:

1. New 16" wheels with BFGoodrich KO2 LT255/70R16 E tires which gives a little lift with no wheel well cutting
2. Coil SumoSprings front
3. SumoSprings (black or yellow) rear
4. SuperSprings rear
5. Bilstein B6 front shocks
6. Fox 2.0 rear shocks

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[Chillis]

This has been a helpful thread. I have an AWD HR EXT 350HD on order. After buildout I plan to snow chase and do some easy off road to trailheads and fishing spots. I want to improve the ride and lift her a bit to avoid ground strikes when off pavement. But I don't intend to treat her like a dune buggy. And I don't want to create more problems in the process of modifying the van. I want to keep it simple and serviceable. I had been considering the Weldtec and the VanCompass lifts but now my sense is that this is overkill for me. So I'm thinking:

1. New 16" wheels with BFGoodrich KO2 LT255/70R16 E tires which gives a little lift with no wheel well cutting
2. Coil SumoSprings front
3. SumoSprings (black or yellow) rear
4. SuperSprings rear
5. Bilstein B6 front shocks
6. Fox 2.0 rear shocks

Thoughts appreciated.

Which Weldtec kit?

They just had a set of their raised spindles break in Death Valley(both sides failed in the same location of the spindle) so you may want to skip that design.

Spindles need to be machined from billets or at least cast and not welded together if they are going to be strong.

 

[bglaser]

They just had a set of their raised spindles break in Death Valley(both sides failed in the same location of the spindle) so you may want to skip that design.

That's part of the reason I'm not going with a lift kit. My goal is to improve the suspension without overdoing it.

 

[Chillis]

Any 2 inch lift kit would work great for most purposes. When you go higher you run into issues.

Mine at 4" front and rear lift requires custom steering rack spacers which I'm having a machine shop make.

Then the lift springs cause too much extension on the front strut so you get top out on drop offs.

Going with a 2" Transit Off-road.com adjustable arm setup keeping stock springs and you'd be smooth sailing and have a lifetime set of rebuildable lower control arms.