Rear suspension lift

[crdv6]

My WH sits down at the back and up at the front when I put the caravan on the tow bar (about 250kg ball weight, but haven't checked)
I have just put new OME nitrocharger shocks in the back, but hasn't changed much. Rides well enough on good roads, but is possibly bottoming out on rougher roads. Have had vehicle checked by Pedders, nothing wrong although needs new front ball joints.
Am considering putting in longer springs in back but that would alter stance of vehicle when unladen. Is it possible that my original springs are sagging? Also considering air bags, but would they ride harshly when inflated?

[ren0vator]

Generally speaking;
Sitting down at the back unladen, it needs springs
Sitting down at the back laden, it needs air bags

Cheers

[Clarky]

The stock appearance of a WH is racked down at the front, If it sits level or down in the back then the springs are compressed (happens to most WH's that tow).

If you use a tape measure and measure from the centre of the rear wheel cap straight up to the guard it should be about 495/500mm in with stock suspension. My M/D OME sits at 540mm.

Getting standard height springs isn't easy other then factory. Most offer lifted only.

If you fit raised springs to the rear only you won't be happy,
If you fit heavy duty raised rear springs you definitely won't be happy.

If you don't want a lift at all I suggest sourcing stock Commander rear spring for yours, they have a slightly higher coil rate and will sit right with stock front suspension.



I don't recommend fitting H/D rear coils just for towing, they ride really harsh when unladen. I use M/D and it tows my van nicely.

[robertodonnell]

250 kilo is a substantial ball weight. I am assuming you van is about 2500 kg?

If you are happy enough with the rest of the car, I would, as Clarky suggests, grab a set of Commander rear springs from a wrecker. If you were to fit any aftermarket spring I would expect the rear shocks to not cope with the increased spring rate (mine didn't!)

I would also grab a set of airbags to fit into the springs while you are at it. I fitted these during my lift and I can maintain the unladen ride height with the van on, and unladen I let the air out and they don't even feel like they are there.

Cheers,

Robert

[crdv6]

Originally Posted by Clarky

The stock appearance of a WH is racked down at the front, If it sits level or down in the back then the springs are compressed (happens to most WH's that tow).

If you use a tape measure and measure from the centre of the rear wheel cap straight up to the guard it should be about 495/500mm in with stock suspension. My M/D OME sits at 540mm.


If you don't want a lift at all I suggest sourcing stock Commander rear spring for yours, they have a slightly higher coil rate and will sit right with stock front suspension.

Thanks, I just measured my vehicle from centre of wheel to guard as suggested and it is 475mm, so assume it has sagged a bit?
I can get Commander springs from Hervey Bay at $180 plus $45 freight, may be worth a go. Is it difficult to swap them over?

[Clarky]

They are easy.
Jack up on body (not diff) and remove tyre and shock absorber, spring will practically fall out.
You may need spring compressors but I think you could get away with it on stock springs.

Fitting is the reverse but you may need to compress spring to get it to slip in easier.

That sounds a bit expensive for S/H springs, try contacting King springs and tell them what you are after.
http://kingsprings.com.au/contact

[crdv6]

I looked at the King Springs website but they only list raised or lowered coils, so have sent them an email, but not holding out much hope. I have checked some US websites that sell new springs, but there are so many variants. For the Commander, there are 8 different part numbers eg: 32124209AA, 32124210AA and so on.
And yeah, I thought $180 for S/H coils was a bit hot, but if I can't do any better....