Have any idea where I can get them? I can find tons of parts for the ram pickup but not the Van. I don't know if the parts are the same and I don't have specs on the springs themselves o figure out which other ones can fit. I would think the van springs are stronger or stiffer since the weight of the vehicle in the rear is heavier than a pickup, but that's just my 2 cents. I really don't know much about leaf springs.

 

have a look here.

 

Thanks for the link. That could be a life saver. The only other option I had near me is salvage parts.

Weird thing is I realized I can't remove the bolts for the shackles. If you look at the pic showing the exhaust tip, you can see the shackle was moved lower and the bolt hits that plate to the right of it instead of going through the opening. Seems like I have to remove the shackle mount which is bolted by the bumper.

Another strange thing is I loosened the bolts and tried to get the shackle to move back up which didn't work. lol

 

I wonder if someone did a shackle flip on that. On the trucks, the springs are above the shackle......

 

I'm not sure about that, but I noticed on a parts diagram that it looks like the spring is higher up. So the part where the spring meets the shackle is higher which makes sense since it would allow the bolt to clear the body and be removed. I feel like if I could push that shackle up I may lower the vehicle a bit, but so far she won't budge even after loosening the shackle bolts.

I really don't want to start cutting bolts, but I fear removing the mount by the bumper may not work. I think I won't be able to put it back on after raising the spring and shackle. Why can't these engineers make this more simple? lol

 

Not something the engineers ever expected you to have to change. Take a look at another van, see how things look under that one. See how it compares to yours.

Is it just me, or does the axle sit to far forward as well?? Or is that just the angle of the pic?

 

Probably just the angle of the pic. At this rate, if I can't moves these shackles and lower this vehicle that way, I am gonna junk the car after I sell my boat. Only reason I had it was to tow my boat. I might try selling it for a few hundred or just donate it or something.

Gettin too old for this nonsense.

 

Hi. I can't offer advice, but I have the same model van and had the rear shocks replaced recently without issue. If it helps I can post pics of mine for your reference. I also have all the service manuals so I can look up the springs procedures too if its helpful.

 

I'd love to see pics of the original setup. What manuals do you have? I have the basic haynes or something, but I know the procedure can sometimes require cutting the bolts out. Like HeyYou said, they don't really expect you to mess with these things.

Anyway, I would love to see pics. Much appreciated.

 

I have ALL the original paper service manuals for the 1999 Ram Van, because I am old school like that. 😂

Let's start you with this, and you tell me if I need to include more info: