lowering an e van

This just in from Sid..

"I drop the axles all the time on the Econolines. I don't have a lot of experience with them installed. The axle is $300 exchange. Tie rod drops are $60pr. To install kingpins is $130 including kingpin set. That should be all you need. Thanks Sid

..And then there is talk about how shops would bend the axle and/or the the tie rod bar to align the front end.  What the heck are guys doing after all this work?? Is it not able to be aligned "out of the box"??  I can't get the toe all the way out as mine sits.  so it begs the question.

Couldn't you make some different shackles to lower it? I know it wouldn't be as drastic, but you wouldn't lose load rating or spring travel. I've had many friends that had put them on their p/u's to make the ass squat and be level with the front.

The shock answer is simple. I called Monroe, they gave me the stock shock extended length and compressed length. They said tell them how much drop you do on your vehicle and they will tell you which shock to run from the specs they have in their computer. Someone also told me the rear shock works great on the front when doing an axle flip but I haven't verified that yet.
Your $$/7 estimation of price and difficulty isn't really fair if someone is just lowering the front. You can't get much cheaper than the cradles and ease of install with my kit,just sayin. I know it's not for everyone but it does have its application for a lot of folks, especially those going for a raked look.
I know several guys with lowered trucks that are definitely driveable, mine included. I love when someone gives me the line that "it was professionally done" or "a shop did the work". Most shops don't know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to this stuff and that's no lie. Case in poin,t the van I just bought and how the v8 was installed. Professional my butt! I had to laugh.

Yeah. I was assuming front and rear there Tim. Sorry.
Your blocks make the front easy. The bulk of that estimate was for the rear of the van.

The guy on the post linked did the following...
https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t42256-gorgeous-66-van

He dearched the front axle and put air shocks in
In the rear he flipped the axle, it produced a 4in drop. pix on the link above.

Why wouldn't you just get lowering springs?
Stiffer and 2 or so less turns on the coil.

I wonder how it drives....hmmmm. bumpsteer is my biggest concern. I wish we could get some serious feedback on some of these block drops or de-arched spring setups.

Udo wrote:Why wouldn't you just get lowering springs?
Stiffer and 2 or so less turns on the coil.

Because leaf springs.

Ah leafs in the front as well, right.