minivan suspension

[greendog]

waht all can i do to improve the handling of a 89 caravan suspension...i dont want a super stiff ride or anything..just more response and control

also does the alignment change if i cut a coil out?

[turbovanman]

Replace the front bushings with PB's or Energy Suspension. Buy a thicker sway bar and add a rear sway bar. Install stiffer struts, shocks and or run coilovers. Lower it. If you cut a coil off, you will need an alignment. Have the alignment set at 0 toe and 1/4-3/4 neg camber. Get larger wheels and shorter tires.

[greendog]

whats this ive heard about useing daytona struts?

[turbovanman]

Using Daytona struts and springs lowers the van by aprox 3.5 inches. Which I feel is too low. Mines lowered 2.5 in the front but I went too far, as before, it was at 2 inches, which I feel is perfect. I used the Daytona struts and cut a coil and a bit off the stock Minivan spring. I am installing coil overs in the next couple of months.

[wallace]

How about the rear leaf spring bushings? I can't find any replacements. Are there ANY choices? I also scored the factory rear 5/8" swaybar and need bushings for that. Is there just some generic 5/8" bushings I can order?

[jdawg]

dodge dealer

[turbovanman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallace How about the rear leaf spring bushings? I can't find any replacements. Are there ANY choices? I also scored the factory rear 5/8" swaybar and need bushings for that. Is there just some generic 5/8" bushings I can order?

The rear inner sway bar bushings you can get from Energy Suspension. The leaf springs, I would just match them up in a cataloque from ES or get ahold of Johnny from Poly Bushings.

[greendog]

when you go coildover ima need some pic's..coilovers seem like the wisest setup

so the daytona struts are what..stiffer or physicaly diferent?

[turbovanman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greendog when you go coildover ima need some pic's..coilovers seem like the wisest setup so the daytona struts are what..stiffer or physicaly diferent?

There shorter. The bottom to where the spring rides is the same as the Mini's but the piston rod length and the perch to top of strut is shorter.

[RMEpowerbox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbovanman I used the Daytona struts and cut a coil and a bit off the stock Minivan spring. I am installing coil overs in the next couple of months.

turbovanman, you used the Daytona struts with the minivan spring to lower the van 2 inches in the front?

[turbovanman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMEpowerbox turbovanman, you used the Daytona struts with the minivan spring to lower the van 2 inches in the front?

Yes, but I cut a tad too much off and went 2.5 inch, it was 2 inches before and was perfect.