Hello all, Bought a 96 B1500 318 that sags in the rear. Didn't think much of it til I put all my work stuff in it. Figured it might have a broken rear leaf spring so I went to the yard and got the same spring. Installed it and it did the same sag. So I went back to the yard and got a heavy duty set of springs and only installed one spring on the sagging side. It leveled it out. Drove it like that for two weeks and today I decided to put on the other heavy duty spring. Well it's back to the sag. I may have put 500lbs on the sagging side and 170lbs+- on the other side. I wouldn't think this van would sag like this with the weight that's in it. I can't figure what would be making it lean like this. Was hoping to hear from someone who might know what's causing this. Thanks in advance.

Russell

 

I think because the unbalance weight you have in the back of the van.

 

My van also sags on the drivers side, but I would be surprised if it didn't, because like the photos you show, all the weight is on the DS, especially with my 230 lbs in the drivers seat.

Though I certainly could benefit from some newer, less tired rear springs, I instead added a set of Firestone ride rite air bags. I keep around 10 to 20 more PSI in the Drivers side bag than the passenger side. It handles much, much better now, though I would not want to ride in the back with more than 50 psi in the bags. With just 5 and 15 psi in the bags, it brings it back upto a normal ride height. When I load all my tools inside, 35 and 50 keep a nice stinkbug stance.

I can raise or lower one side or the other a little over 4 inches with 100 psi in one and Zero in the other. This has made more than one parking spot tolerable for sleeping, or working inside. Last week during all the rain we had in Socal, I pumped both bags upto 90 psi to help shed H20 from the rain gutters. It really keeps it from leaning in the corners, but makes the back a real rough ride.

I put the schrader valves inside so I can adjust the PSI from within. A set costs about 250 and are pretty easy to install.

On second look, mine would not lean that hard. Check your front suspension as well.

 

So today I put four 5gal paint buckets on the passenger side plus my huge paint rig and it still didn't sit level. So I jacked up the front leaning side 1 3/8" to level the front out. To my surprise, the rear was level as well. So I assume the front coil springs need to be replaced. Looks like that will be more difficult to do than changing the rear leaf springs. Has anyone here ever replaced the front coil springs before? Any helpful tips is much appreciated.

 

Helpful thread: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...de-height.html

Coil spring replacement write-up: http://mrpulldown.blogspot.com/2009/...dodge-van.html

 

Here is a link to a thread started by someone who wound up replacing his front springs.
He was not happy with us for not being able to answer his questions, but came back anyway with detailed info on how he proceeded.

So few bother, they just disappear, until they need help again.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...de-height.html

Edit: Typed at the same time as the A man.