What type replacement springs and shocks for the front end should I buy and how big of a job will it be.
Hello Fly Boy, I havereplaced my whole front end and I was never great at the front end work.. But" if when you park the rig make sure that you make sure the tires are straight!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and you have a floor jack under the bottom control arm taking pressure off from the poor thing when you take off the bolts.. take offf the shocks first then you can get into taking off the bottom control arm.
When you do this you might as well replace the bushings I did and it is no biggie... Just remember if you have spacers """" REMEMBER WHERE THEY GO!!!!! The hardest part is replacing the bushings. Your Local Auto supply store should be able to take care of that for 20.00. Once you get the bottom
control arm off the spring will drop out. Be very carefull when you release the presure from the floor jack!!!!! That spring will fly if done to fast!!
And I am sure that Fly Boy don't wana fly that way"
Keep in touch and let us know how you made out.. For a novice, time frame will be four hours...If you have someone with experience that will help ya!!!!
If you get the bushings put back in the way they came out YOU should not need a front end alignment===Providing that you havent been jumping curbs and rail road tracks.....Good Luck :) Now as far as the springs go ---
I have heard that a Heavy duty Pick up spring is a great replacement.. And if JERRY IS READING THIS HE NOW want to give his answer on the springs
or was it Dan PD2 you out there????
I never had good luck with front springs on my rig so that one is up to you
John
Not Me John, I definitely recall Jerryt was the one with the upgraded shocks.
Jerryt? got any specifics a-la brand/part#'s etc..?
-D
http://www.stengelbros.com
This is who I got them from.
Mine are the 2250# H.D. as I have a 78 with the 1 ton front end (4000#)
I also used Monroe H.D. shocks #555037 as they were cheaper than the Bilsteins.
I also got a Timbren kit for the front.
I had a rebuilt steering box, new springs, new shocks, and a front end alignment all done at the same time. I provided the parts and only had to pay for labor. I installed the Timbren kit latter on. (see earlier post)
As I have posted before, my Clipper rides and drives like a new rig :)
JerryT
Hey Jerry, what is a timbern kit???? never heard of the thing
John E. :o
www.timbren.com
Go to the link above and be amazed :
JerryT
Hey Jerrrrrrry, I have a question for ya.
The "Air bags Under the coach, can they be replaced with Air shocks or should I just replace them with the air bags" ?????
John :)
John
I have the original air bags on my 78 and they are still good. If they fail I will replace them with the same thing as they are still available.
JerryT
Hi Jerry, I was wondering about the air bags as mine are flat!@!!!!
The rubber has cracks and I just figured that maybe the air shocks are the same.. But I guess not.
I know that the price is a lot higher than the Air shocks. I priced them at 366.59
Then again the ride is scarier with the air shocks.........
I be here all day tomorrow waiting to hear from ya.
John
Hi John
I don't think the air shocks would hold the weight of the clipper. I re-sprung the back of our Clipper with more leaves and I still need to inflate the air bags up a ways for it to sit good. With the 2250# springs up front and the extra in the back she sits and rides good ;D
JerryT
Hi theer Jerry, that sounds good to me.
I might go ahead and do the same to my rig.
Thanks for the info!!!! John E.
Your welcome!
JerryT
Oh your such a guy! I just didn't care for the price of the new ones......
But I will bite the bullett and pay for what I need
again thank you Jerry
John
BTB :P
Thanks everyone for the help I just ordered springs and shocks from Stengel Bros
shocks part # 555037 $84.08 for two, springs part #350-7226SD the pair was $128.41
Thanks Jerry for the help I hope the springs are the right ones.
Congrats on the stimulus package for your Clipper :D
The new springs will set a little high at first but they will settle down a bit after a year or so. Do you have the dual wheel 4000# front end.
JerryT
Hi I have no Ideal the GVW is 9000#. It's a 1978 sportsman.
It should be the 4000# front end if it is a 78 ;D
The older Dodge vans used 1 ton dual wheels on the back and a 3/4 ton single wheel on the front, so you couldn't take a wheel off the back and use it on the front or visa versa. The 78 Dodge van received many nice updates inside but looked the same outside till 79 when the front end was restyled. The 78 is my favorite as you have the new interior with the classic exterior. Some Clippers are titled as 78's but have 77 cabs (production lag), mine is a 78/78. I think American Clipper updated their interiors also about then as mine has a more modern look/construction than others that I have seen pictures of. I have angled airplane style overhead doors and more anodized aluminum for trim and corners.
JerryT
Jerry, Is it an easy task to replace the Air bags or is it a major Pain.
I have a 2 and a half ton floor jack and I really don't mind getting dirty.
But is it a safe project to do or leave it to the pro's
John
HI John
It looks to me that it would be a bolt off and on deal, with the air lines being the wild card but I think I would run that new also.
JerryT
Great, I havent been underneith the rig to do any inspections for a year so that is good news.
I can handle something easy in a couple of months...
John :)
hi Installed the new shocks and springs they wanted $200 to do it so I decided to try myself.
It took me all day but I still have my $200 ,just like driving a new rig I suggest it to anyone.
The reason it took so long was lining up the holes in the lower arm the one with the big bolt.
Thanks again to everone for the help.
Congrats on the install!!
I agree, they drive like new! It's hard for me to believe that I am driving a 30+ year old rig---but no payment :D
JerryT
Yes I agree, after you get the front end rebuilt the darn thing drives sooo nice.
And the funny thing is , if you stop and think about it what you did wasn't so hard!!!
Plus not a real big deal. And to think you just saved roughly $1,500 bucks
and put that in your pocket!! That is what firestone wanted to rebuild mine...
Why give these guys money when you need it more!!!! :) John E.
I THINK YOU WILL FIND ALL OF THE CLIPPERS WITH THE 440 HAVE THE 1 TON FRONT AXLES AND THOSE WITH THE 360 MOTORS HAVE THE 3/4 FRONT ENDS WITH THE SMALL WHEELS.
Hi Robert
What years did Dodge use the 440 in the van?
JerryT
John here, I have a 1977 with the 440 or now it could be a 500 after the rebuild...
no truck will pass me now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :)John