I have a 99 Ram Van 1500 5.9L. I went to swap out the rear shocks and the 1st set of shocks I bought raised the rear height of the vehicle significantly. I swapped them out again with "stock" shocks and I am having the same problem. It is so bad that the exhaust is being raised up and hitting the leaf spring on the passenger side.

The mechanic who did the 2nd swap said the leaf springs may not be stock. I don't think that's the problem because the vehicle was pretty much all stock when I purchased it except for the radio.

Are there different size shocks for cargo vans vs conversion vans? What could be the problem?

Thanks in advance. Vehicle is out of commission until I figure this out. Sigh.

Here are some pics.


Pic showing rear height vs front.

Pic showing part of leaf spring and exhaust hitting it

 

Shocks shouldn't be supporting the weight of the van. They are to control motion, that's it. If you bounce on the back bumper, will the shocks actually compress?

 

I get no movement out of bouncing on the bumper. That's odd. I don't see anything preventing the shocks from moving either.

The 1st set of shocks had springs on them, the oe's did not. The 1st set were load carrier shocks designed to help with towing. I was told those can affect ride height because of the stronger, stiffer springs. Is it possible those bent my old leaf springs and are making the height higher so even though the new shocks do not have springs/coils, the leaf springs are now bent and making things sit higher?

I dunno, just throwing stuff out there.

 

Wonder if the shocks are simply the wrong ones for your van. If you take out the lower mounting bolt, can you compress the shocks by hand at all? (if they are gas charged, it ain't gonna be easy, no matter how you slice it. )

Might take one of the new shocks off, let it expand to full length, and compare it to one of the old ones, are they the same?

 

Well the 1st set was not stock so I thought those were the wrong ones. The 2nd set I believe are basic monroes that are recommended for my vehicle. I even called again to speak with a rep to make sure those are the right shocks for my vehicle. Only thing I could think of was they are not for conversion vans, but I am not seeing any info saying conversion vans run a different set up.

Unfortunately I threw out the original ones that I bought with the van so I have nothing to compare them to.

Does this make sense? If I remove the shocks and the van stays at the same height then logically it is the leaf springs holding the vehicle up. right? That would be a good test, no? I'll post pics, but I am positive there is nothing else obstructing the shocks or holding the rear end up.

TIA

 

Yeah, pull both shocks, bounce the rear a couple times, see how it sits.

 

So I pulled the shocks from the lower bolts and removed them from the mounts. The van sits at the same height. I guess the 1st set of coilovers bent the springs. I guess I can get new springs or bend them back into place?

I've honestly never dealt with leaf springs before so kinda at a loss here.

TIA

 

Did you bounce on the rear bumper a few times, to get the springs to settle?

Not a fan of coilovers, without doing some work to the axle, to reinforce the shock mounts. They aren't designed to support weight, just control motion.

If it still sits the same way, take a look at the springs themselves, are there add-a-leafs on there? It sits WAY to high in the back.....

 

Yes, I tried bouncing on the rear bumper with the shocks on and off. They didn't move much. I think the springs are bent (arched higher) from the coiliover install. Your comment about the shock mounts makes a lot of sense. Glad I went back to stock shocks.

I am going to pull the springs and see about de-arching them. A 4x4 shop said there is a company nearby that may do it. Fingers crossed. I don't have a press or anything so I am at a loss for doing it myself. I thought about driving over them with a friends vehicle, but that just seems like it would end up on fail army. lol

Thanks again.

 

Yeah, don't try that..... Could be far too exciting.

Think I might be tempted to simply replace them. Likely about the same cost.