6" lift on a type A

[Manchild]

Anybody have any experience with drivability after lifting their short bus? Thinking about putting a Weld Tec 6" lift and 33" tires on the shortie. Why? Because I can, thats why. Just curious how the thing will handle around town and on the freeway after it is lifted and has two BMW R1200GSA's in the back. Thoughts? Warnings? Bad advice?

[2planker]

Here is a video of Ujoint braking and handling tests after lift +4x4 conversion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7OxIKyIGOU

I've been considering this for a while too, interested if anyone has any real world experience to share.

[Manchild]

Ujoint definitely makes a quality product, only makes sense to use their lift if you’re going to do the 4x4 conversion IMO. 4x4 would be cool to brag about, but I don’t see the point. Aside from going up to the ski resort in a storm, it be a waste of $12k.

I’m wondering though more about how a short bus would handle. Too much weight on top?

[cadillackid]

Anything I’ve ever driven lost driveability on the highway after a lift and big tires. The higher center of gravity meant I had to watch tilt angles closer. Taller vehicle I lost MPG and was more susceptible to wind. In my case I had all terrain tires which always seemed to be hard to keep in balance.

Braking performance was reduced as well. I noticed always having to step a little harder on the brake when coming off the freeway.

I regeared so engine lugging wasn’t an issue but you’ll want to make sure you have enough power to overcome added wind resistance with ease.

Handling was definitely diffferent. It wasn’t bad but in the right conditions those big tires I had (35s) would try to to grab. Grooves in roads .

Honestly the only reason I lifted is because I wanted bigger tires that would allow me to go places I couldn’t otherwise have gome on stocks ..

[joeblack5]

Just retro converted our small bus to quigley 4*4..about a 4" lift. This being a srw and at 9000lbs.
With the current rear tires there is definitely some sway in the back. Handling is ok but not great
Our ford 7.3 quigley 4*4 van has the same drive train but feels a lot better on the road.
Our ford 7.3 guigley 4*4 ambulance ( van with high roof) same drive train felt good on the road as well.

So I think the center of gravity and the ft longer overhang in the rear of the e350 did not help with the road handling..

Not sure how the people with even bigger tires and higher lifts feel that they can have the same handling then a stock van?

Johan

[Manchild]

Thanks all to for the replies. I've got a Ford 7.3 SRW that I'd like to do either a 4 or 6" lift so I can fit 33's or 35's. I rationalize that it is so I can go wheeling, but the truth is that it is purely cosmetic. I plan on putting a toy-hauler ramp from an enclosed trailer on the back end so I can load my GSA and Timbersled with ease. The lift and bigger tires would complete the look. I'm undecided on the 4x4 conversion, seems like a lot of cash for something that would see marginal use (up to the ski resort, out in the desert sand). The 4x4 conversions are super cool, I just dont have the time to monkey with it myself, and would rather spend $20k on another GSA or drift car, or Kit Fox.

[Manchild]

How big a wheel/tire could I go on the stock setup (99 Ford 7.3, srw, 4 window)? Would spacers allow anything bigger? I prefer more rubber than rim so I'd say 17" wheel max, 15 would be cool if I could find the bolt pattern and AT tires to match.

[Manchild]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Just retro converted our small bus to quigley 4*4..about a 4" lift. This being a srw and at 9000lbs.
With the current rear tires there is definitely some sway in the back. Handling is ok but not great
Our ford 7.3 quigley 4*4 van has the same drive train but feels a lot better on the road.
Our ford 7.3 guigley 4*4 ambulance ( van with high roof) same drive train felt good on the road as well.

So I think the center of gravity and the ft longer overhang in the rear of the e350 did not help with the road handling..

Not sure how the people with even bigger tires and higher lifts feel that they can have the same handling then a stock van?

Johan

Thats quite the stable! How big a wheel/tire could I go on the stock setup (99 Ford 7.3, srw, 4 window)? Would spacers allow anything bigger? I prefer more rubber than rim so I'd say 17" wheel max, 15 would be cool if I could find the bolt pattern and AT tires to match.

[joeblack5]

I think 255/85/r16 is the largest. You might have to cut some of the plastic flare under the front bumper and maybe bend the fender lip slightly to get no rub..The 255/85/16 is what I use. Gives me slightly lower rpms... In the 4*4 van we have 3.55 diffs. In the ambulance 4.09 and in the bus 4.1
The van does 17 mpg between 60 and 55. The ambulance 16 mpg ( 7.3 idi) the bus 13 to 14

[Bernadette On The Go]

I'm thinking the same with big bumpers and a place for my BMW /2 conversion and the wife's Honda Dream.
I spoke with Dave from Dirt Everyday and he spoke highly of the kit and Weld Tec.

[Manchild]

Yeah buddy! I've got a 4 window 7.3 SRW. The rear emergency door is a foot short of the needed height to clear the GSA. As such I'm thinking about buying a trailer ramp door and cutting a hole the size of it 84x84" in the back of the bus. Then I'd have a toy hauler short bus, and could use the ramp as a deck/patio if I dont lower it all the way.

[Bernadette On The Go]

Originally Posted by Manchild

Yeah buddy! I've got a 4 window 7.3 SRW. The rear emergency door is a foot short of the needed height to clear the GSA. As such I'm thinking about buying a trailer ramp door and cutting a hole the size of it 84x84" in the back of the bus. Then I'd have a toy hauler short bus, and could use the ramp as a deck/patio if I dont lower it all the way.

How about a roll up door out if a U-haul van?

[BoggerBus]

I have a lot more then a 6" lift and a lot more then 33" tires and it really doesn't handle that bad to me. Mind you it was never put together for road comfort. It was built to handle muddy trails and drunk people and I expected it handle like a soggy sack of potatoes but it really wasn't any worse then driving a lifted truck.

[Studedude]

notice in the video that there is no body lean in the turns. That is because it has a way more than stock suspension. Any lift requires suspension mods to make it work properly. springs, sway bars, shocks and more. Lifting without other mods makes it unstable at best and dangerous at worst

[Manchild]

Originally Posted by Bernadette On The Go

How about a roll up door out if a U-haul van?

Thought about a roll up, however then I'd still have to store ramps and would lose headspace inside, and they are loud.

[Manchild]

Originally Posted by BoggerBus

I have a lot more then a 6" lift and a lot more then 33" tires and it really doesn't handle that bad to me. Mind you it was never put together for road comfort. It was built to handle muddy trails and drunk people and I expected it handle like a soggy sack of potatoes but it really wasn't any worse then driving a lifted truck.

Killer setup. The key to a happy life? Low expectations j/k but seriously, awesome rig. What bumper is that?

[BoggerBus]

Originally Posted by Manchild

Killer setup. The key to a happy life? Low expectations j/k but seriously, awesome rig. What bumper is that?

99 f250 stock bumper off the parts truck i had used for the 4x4 conversion. stock one is paper thin metal and was half ripped off so we just threw that together.

[Manchild]

Originally Posted by BoggerBus

99 f250 stock bumper off the parts truck i had used for the 4x4 conversion. stock one is paper thin metal and was half ripped off so we just threw that together.

Perfect, looks way more substantial than stock, and you didnt pay $3K for an Aluminess. Love it!