Caravan Leaf Springs for the rear??

[5150]

I saw a few old posts about this swap, but with no pictures. Anybody have any specs on this swap. Thinking about doing it.

[mr48chev]

I have a 91 Grand Caravan and an 87 Mini Ram and those rear springs really look interesting as far as putting a set on a truck. I haven't been under either to check the mounting brackets or spring length though.


I have a friend who use to take Mopar rear leaf springs and have the main leaf shortened at the spring shop and use them under the rods he built in his shop. So that may mean that the springs are pretty long. If I get time I'll crawl under them when I get home tonight with a tape measure.

[5150]

I was talking to a guy at the Goodguys in Nashville about his setup and I think he used the older caravan springs.

[mr48chev]

Yep, I think the ones on the Mini Ram Van which is a short wheel base rig are somewhat shorter than the ones on the 91.

[5150]

I appreciate it. He said he practically bolted them on with no welding. Also put some drop blocks in and he got a great stance.

[Houston54]

My recommendation would be a set of springs from Posie's.

I tried running the stock springs on my 54 with a few leafs removed. The ride quality was pitiful. Could not drink a soda at speed on the highway.

I put a pair of Posie's 440A springs on my 54 and believe it is one of the most effective modifications I have made.
The 440A springs center the wheel in the fender. The 440 part number retains the stock location.
There is a guy on Hotrodders.com using the handle "Centerline" who used the caravan springs in an AD project. I recall he had to modify the rear shackle set up and the frame members to get the stance he wanted. You can find more information there.

I would rather go with new parts I know will bolt right in with no modifications. Somethings are worth spending money on to get it right the first time.

[5150]

How much are the posie's?

[Houston54]

Go here to get more info
http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/

[5150]

The problem is somebody has already modified my rear by trying to use a late 80's suspension. So it's going to need modified no matter what.

[mr48chev]

I measured mine when I got home last night.
The 87 Mini Ram Van has rear leaf springs that are right at 54-1/2 inches eye to eye center. The brackets are fastened to the body with three bolts on each end as far as I can tell. It looks like the spring bolt is about 25-1/2 inches from the center of the rear eye but that is measuring upside down and backwards under the rig.

The Springs under the 91 Grand Caravan are several inches longer and I didn't take time to measure them.

I may be off to my local purveyor of used parts on my days off for a set for my truck.

Houston54, I don't want to step on your toes but for a lot of us there is a heck of a lot of difference between 30/50 bucks or less for a set from a wrecking yard and 345.95 for a pair from Posies as nice as they are. I personally can find a lot of things to do on my truck with that 300.00 difference in price.

After taking a serious look under my 87 last night The whole rear suspension out of that rig axle and all would be great for a guy wanting to build an inexpensive little flatbed trailer to drag around.

[Houston54]

No problem here.

Having spent $ twice on several elements of my 54 build I learned there are some components that work well from donors and there are others that do not.

For me the list of used/donor parts that did not work as hoped includes used steering boxes, stock springs with leafs removed, camaro gas tank, used automatic transmission bought of CL, ebay carbs, and used e-fans.

What I learned is sometimes cheap costs more than new.

There are some aftermarket parts that, while they may seem costly, actually provide a worthwhile return on the investment in terms of ride quality, safety, resale value, and enjoyment. Just trying to share one of those I came across.

Nothing I say will convince anyone as to the right way to do their specific build and that is not my intent. I am sure some will learn the same lessons I learned and in years to come be able to share that experience. Whether that advice is accepted is not up to me.

If someone can adapt a used part to a function which saves $ that is something to be shared and applauded as long as it results in a safe and fun vehicle.

[5150]

Just got back from the Nashville Pull-a-Part with my springs. They ran me $50. I'll play with it later on to see what mods they will need.

[playinsafe44]

This guy used caravan springs on his '53 build. This just happens to be one of my favorite build thread too. Too bad he sold it... http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/

[solidaxel]

These springs are off a Jeep Cherokee with new hangers and shackles on my 53

[5150]

Sorry to bring this one back up, but where did you get those shackles at solidaxel?

[av8tr33337]

I did it. But keep in mind that the caravan is a front wheel drive vehicle and the rear springs are not designed to take torque. You will probably get some wrapping of the springs under breaking and acceleration. This means your differential could tip up and down more than it should. You don't want this. About the only thing you can do to prevent this is installing traction bars or ladder bars. I was trying to go cheep, and caught some flack for this whole approach, and rightly so. If you check out my build thread you can find some pics of what I did, but I am scrapping the whole idea and going with an S10 chassis swap. I picked up a 94 rolling chassis for $125.00. I would suggest going this route or do as others suggested and invest in some springs that are specifically designed for your application. We all have different ideas and budgets. I think in the end you would ahead to spend a little more money and get the right springs for the job.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

I did it. But keep in mind that the caravan is a front wheel drive vehicle and the rear springs are not designed to take torque. You will probably get some wrapping of the springs under breaking and acceleration. This means your differential could tip up and down more than it should. You don't want this. About the only thing you can do to prevent this is installing traction bars or ladder bars. I was trying to go cheep, and caught some flack for this whole approach, and rightly so. If you check out my build thread you can find some pics of what I did, but I am scrapping the whole idea and going with an S10 chassis swap. I picked up a 94 rolling chassis for $125.00. I would suggest going this route or do as others suggested and invest in some springs that are specifically designed for your application. We all have different ideas and budgets. I think in the end you would ahead to spend a little more money and get the right springs for the job.

My Grand Caravan is all wheel drive so that wouldn't be an issue but as I said in an earlier post those springs are quite a bit longer than the mid 80's
short wheel base mini van springs. I don't really think the torque thing would be as big an issue as you make it to be as Chrysler is famous for using the same design leaf springs in a number of vehicles.

[av8tr33337]

You are probably right. I didn't realize your caravan was AWD. Because of the shape of the rear shackle mound I had to pie cut and then weld the bracket back together. Very simple to do. I have pics on photobucket (link below). It truly was an easy overall project. The length of the springs worked well. The major reason I scrapped my first frame build was because I had installed the 79 full size front cross member and suspension that I had narrowed. Wasn't totally happy with the result.

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

I did it.
You will probably get some wrapping of the springs under breaking and acceleration.

Just curious because my AD project has a very low level of funds available.
I watch and enjoy (if I do them or not) low buck ideas.

Did you have spring wrap or suspect that it might ?

[av8tr33337]

I never got past the mock up stage. Here is a link to the guys personal home page who gave me the idea. He made or bought some traction bars for his because he had problems with the springs wrapping. He doesn't have pics of the spring swap on his page but he might be able to email some to you and answer questions.

http://www.northwestcoin.ca/hotrod.html

you can check out my thread and see what the springs look like but I scrapped the idea and I'm going with an s10 chassis swap. You can pick an s10 chassis up cheap, mine was $125.00 from craigsL@&t.

[mr48chev]

As Mopar used pretty much the same design on their rear leaf springs from the 60's on there may not be a big problem with spring wrap up under acceleration with these springs.

I have a feeling that if you laid a pair of the short mid 80's mini van springs out next to a pair of 71 Cuda rear springs an a pair of 76 Volarie rear springs you wouldn't see a lot of difference except the length and the bushings used. One of my friends who used to have a rod shop locally liked to use the mid 70's Mopar leaves and have the main leaves shortened at the local spring shop.

[sn33kyp3t3]

I decided on some mid 80's S10 long bed springs for my '49 GMC LWB.

I figured that if I was going to modify the brackets might as well just use something that will give me a good ride. Since the S10s are about the same wheel base, RWD. I'm betting it will ride more or less like an S10. I mounted them with some aftermarket off-road brackets and made my own front hanger.

It does sit a bit high in the back, but I was going for a little rake. So, I'm pretty happy with the stance. If anything I might lower it with a block (I know, I know), but that not likely.

-P

The setup cost me about $130 with all the materials and parts, including some energy poly bushings