Hey everyone,

I've been looking at the VC kits and am considering doing just the front leveling kit on my 22 AWD van. Has anyone else done just the level kit? My build will be really light so I don't see the back much if any at all.

Tire's I'm considering 255/70R16 (30.08) because they are a little smaller than the VC biggest size of 245/75R16 (30.47) Anyone have experience with these?

Thanks,
Chad

I am considering the same, so hopefully some folks chime in. In my case I already have the 350 and heavy duty rear, just want a bit more clearance on the front and room for the 245/75R16's

 

It's been batted around here a bit... and I know because I keep /wishing/ that lifting the front 2" might suddenly be a no-problem deal... but there's a recent, lengthy-ish thread that talks about the angle on the CVs with the lift. There are people here who have trashed CVs with the lift. And others that haven't trashed them but aren't sure they'd do it again.

So... maybe this time the answers will be different? 🤔 🤷‍♀️

 

It's been batted around here a bit... and I know because I keep /wishing/ that lifting the front 2" might suddenly be a no-problem deal... but there's a recent, lengthy-ish thread that talks about the angle on the CVs with the lift. There are people here who have trashed CVs with the lift. And others that haven't trashed them but aren't sure they'd do it again.

So... maybe this time the answers will be different? 🤔 🤷‍♀️

Yeah...I've been following along on those as well. I gained some reassurance from VC when they included:

"To remedy the alignment issues as well as not over-extend the passenger side CV shaft on AWD models, we developed a ¾” strut spacer with built in camber and caster correction for the 2.0” of total lift gained when installing the 1.0” lift coils and strut spacer to have a complete front end upgrade that won’t accelerate wear on other critical suspension and steering components such as control arm bushings, tie rod ends and front axle shafts on AWD models. Front sway bar link extensions are included to maintain proper sway bar position."

And not using the Bilstein's because:

"We cannot guarantee optimum CV life with this setup and do not recommend running Bilstein struts on AWD vans."

But maybe that's just me wanting to believe the marketing propaganda...

 

No personal experience with it yet but the Transits I see with the 2" lift all the way around ride at least 2" higher in the rear. My friend has a minimalist build on his T150 with 2" lift plus the 1/2" extended rear shackle brackets. His Van rides fully 4" higher in back.

My plan is to do the 2" front lift (leveling kit) and get the 1/2" rear shackle brackets for just a touch more clearance in the back. This will be on a T250, if the build gets heavier than I anticipate and the rear gets saggy, I'll swap out the 1/2 rear shackles for the rear 2" lift.

My understanding is that the Bilsteins, due a slightly different mounting point, result in a 2 1/2" lift and over extend the CV axle, thus are a no-go on the AWD.

 

No personal experience with it yet but the Transits I see with the 2" lift all the way around ride at least 2" higher in the rear. My friend has a minimalist build on his T150 with 2" lift plus the 1/2" extended rear shackle brackets. His Van rides fully 4" higher in back.

My plan is to do the 2" front lift (leveling kit) and get the 1/2" rear shackle brackets for just a touch more clearance in the back. This will be on a T250, if the build gets heavier than I anticipate and the rear gets saggy, I'll swap out the 1/2 rear shackles for the rear 2" lift.

My understanding is that the Bilsteins, due a slightly different mounting point, result in a 2 1/2" lift and over extend the CV axle, thus are a no-go on the AWD.

That is a great idea! The 1/2” from the shackle and an extra 1/2” from tires should put my trailer hitch just right. And the 2” in front for clearance. Perfect 👌🏼

 

I don't know why people are so concerned about having some rake on the van. Just because something doesn't look like how you'd expect, doesn't make it a bad thing.If you're lifting the van, it should be for ground clearance for obstacles. If it's not, you're wasting your money on something you don't need.

Departure angle is a huge problem (particularly for the extended vans) and I want as much ground clearance as I can get. You might have some extra lean due to the higher CG, but overall I don't think there is a significant downside to it. Ford designed some rake into the stock vans (mostly, I assume, to allow for the huge payload abilities and not result in a saggy rear end) - but they knew full well the vans would be driven empty lots of the time with the factory rake - and the vans drive just fine that way. Lifting the front and rear 2" results in the same rake as factory.

 

I don't think the rake is a problem and if I had an extended Van I would for sure want max rear lift too. I don't think it'll be strictly necessary for my build but time will tell.

 

I'm running just the front VC lift with blue springs and oem struts. I did do the shock bracket mod and Fox shocks in the rear but nothing that raises the ride height. My T250 now sits with pretty close to zero rake when unloaded. Might add rear blocks at some point but no real hurry. Running 245/75/16 with no issues, well I did have to adjust the headlights, lol.

 

This should (in theory) cause your shocks to bottom out hard, early, and often. There will be 2” less travel to go before bottoming out.

Quadvan (and VC) are pretty clear that this is a bad idea to use shock relocation brackets without a lift.

 

Hey everyone,

I've been looking at the VC kits and am considering doing just the front leveling kit on my 22 AWD van. Has anyone else done just the level kit? My build will be really light so I don't see the back much if any at all.

Tire's I'm considering 255/70R16 (30.08) because they are a little smaller than the VC biggest size of 245/75R16 (30.47) Anyone have experience with these?

Thanks,
Chad

BAJA California van

 

2" VC Leveling (blue springs, oem struts, 3/4" aluminum spacers) front, Bilsteins shocks rear 1/2" shackle brackets w/ Sumo Blue and VC shock relocation 245/70-16 KO's on 2022 130 AWD 👍 PERFECT ! Build by BAJA California vans
View attachment 179039 View attachment 179040

 

Thanks! It looks like the front might be a little taller than the back. Would you agree?

Also do you think the sumo springs make a big difference?

I also have a Ruffland crate but haven't added the top tray yet. I may have to do that.

 

Thanks! It looks like the front might be a little taller than the back. Would you agree?

Also do you think the sumo springs make a big difference?

I also have a Ruffland crate but haven't added the top tray yet. I may have to do that.

No, the back sits about an inch and a half higher. Might be the angle of the last picture. Loaded it clears the Sumo by 1/2". I only added the for safety of bottoming out the Bilsteins being that I only raised the rear with 1/2" shackles and added the VC shock relocators. LOVE Ruffland stuff!

 

 

View attachment 179049

I spent a year building and researching while waiting to get it. Ordered Sept 2021 and received May 2022

 

I’ve VC 2”level kit with bilsteins,no rear block, yet Installed falcon on rear. Much better ride. I do ride higher in front. It’s noticeable. I will add 2” blocks in rear soon. Hope,this helps.