robbie2red Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Hi all, Do any of you know anything about the possibility of lowering these vehicles? Or has anyone done it? Any information would be much appreciated, thanks. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bignev Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 (edited) Hiya Rob! I think a major setback would be the leaf spring set up for the rear suspension. I've seen a few adapted versions, but they all had a motorised ramp either to the side, or rear, which on these obviously works well because of the auto opening sliding doors and boot. Edited October 17, 2017 by bignev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Hey @@bignev Yeah mine is the adapted version (I’m a wheelchair user), they call them Entervan’s. And you’re right mine kneels to the one side. However I’d like it all lowered wholesale. One to make the ramp less of a gradient to get in and out of the car, and two, I would hope the old boat would handle better. The first being the main reason for lowering though. Nobody has done it on the forum I’m guessing??? I think it doesn’t help I don’t have much weight in the rear. I intend getting the lpg done soon so maybe that’ll bring her down a bit if I have tanks in the middle and maybe spare wheel void. New leaf springs could be used @@bignev or not a possibility? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bignev Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Hi @@robbie2red, I thought I spotted you said you were a chair use, yes those Braun Entervans are some of the ones I've spotted when browsing the autotrader for something for my mother in law, not essential for her yet, we can get her in as she does have some mobility. My knowledge doesn't really cover the leaf springs for definite, but I am fairly sure that I've heard of other cars having them "modified" perhaps they are shortened slightly to do the job? The gas won't add that much weight, not to drop it that much any how! A lovely cheap experiment could be say 4 - 25kg bags of sand in the back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Semmysonic Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 My tanks are in the middle seat Wells so fairly central, there is no noticeable difference in height from looking at other gv's, only difference is I put the tyre pressures up slightly to compensate for the extra weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted October 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Thanks guys! Yes I love my GV (Entervan) now. It’s taken a bit to get it sorted but I’m happy with how it is now! And lots more I want to do! It would be nice if I could lower it as it would be so much easier to get up and down the ramp then! Take a look at the side on view guys, I reckon I can lower it a few inches, don’t you??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bignev Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 You know, it could probably be the wheel / tyre size doing it, but I'm sure it looks high at the back end compared to mine! Measured in the middle, ours is 20" from floor to top curve of the rear bumper.Or if you have the factory fit reverse sensor bar under the bumper, 13.75" to the underside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted October 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 (edited) Cheers @@bignev, Yes just measured mine now, and it’s about 5-6” higher than yours. I know the wheels add a bit like but that does seem like quite a lot. I think my GV is the limited edition spec, would this have any bearing on it??? Edited October 19, 2017 by robbie2red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bignev Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 That's a fair chunk higher! I've got the Ltd XS, but our previous Ltd, or the LX, weren't appreciably different. Unless the height is because of any mechanisms for the ramps maybe!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted October 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 I don’t think it’s because of the ramp @@bignev as they lower the floor for the wheelchair to get in, and would know raising the vehicle would make the incline worse. I have a mate that’s into his rallying (he’s a mechanic) taking a look at my baby tomorrow. I hope it can be done, I’m sure it can, it’s just for how much?!!! Lol. Let you know how I go guys! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bignev Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Yep good point! Somehow it must be do-able! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Semmysonic Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 Does look high on the back end. All I can think of is it's been stiffened up on the back to help stability with the extra weight of the equipment you have fitted. Anything is possible just depends on your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Semmysonic Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 I'd guess looking towards the US for ideas would be the best idea, maybe some sort of airbag system. Would be good as you could then drop it right down for getting in and out, then raise it for comfortable driving dan1chrysler and bignev 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted October 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 Thanks guys. Semmy that’s exactly what I did last night, typed in dodge minivan/caravan when searching and found a bit more info. My mechanic doesn’t really know anyone that works with leaf suspensions. But from what I found out on the forums last night they can be de-arched?! Front suspension isn’t a problem obviously. But I’m going to contact a leaf spring specialist to see if they would de-arch the leaf springs, and go from there. What do you reckon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted October 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hi again! I’ve been in touch with the leaf spring specialists and it’s no problem at all to de-arch the leaf springs for them. So...all I need to do is find some lowering springs now! Any ideas where I can find guys??? About to search the web! Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 robbie2red Posted November 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2017 Air suspension! Anybody had anything to do with Airride? Cheers, Rob dan1chrysler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 dan1chrysler Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) Hi Rob, I'm following this topic now. I also want to do the same with my Entervan, I am thinking that the way forward is to lose the leaf springs all together! You would need to get a 4-link suspension kit made up like a rock crawler would use, but on a lowered scale. The reason for this suggestion is because the rear corners of the modified floor of our entervans actually fouls on the leaf springs, this seems to be the case with mine.so removing the curve on a leaf spring would be really bad. An average GV has an anti roll bar/stabiliser behind the rear axle, but Entervan "braunability" decided to throw it away. the one sided lowering system would probably fail the the bar was left in place. The front of the leaf is mounted lower to meet the modified floor, That's is why the rear end is up in the air. Custom made linkage would be the way to go. Example below shows coils, but imagine airbags. The axle in the pic has a differential in the middle of it, it's for a RWD pickup truck. But there is no reason why this can not be achieved with the straight box section dead axle under the rear of a Voyager. http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb93/ELpolacko/1951%20Chevy%20Truck%20Metro%20Auto%20Auction/IMAG0729.jpg Get an air ride system from a lowered VW Transporter specialist. I had a look on Instgram for Air Systems #loweredlifestyle #bagriders #airride #slammedvans #AirSociety #unreal_automotive #airtisan I looked up the last one, they are in Coventry... https://www.airtisan.co.uk/services-air-suspension Edited January 4, 2018 by dan1chrysler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 mrtibbs Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 With regard to lowering the Grand Voyager, I have just replaced the tyres at the front of mine as I discovered they were 215 55R16 and should be 215 65R16. I know that a 10% increase in sidewall doesn't sound much but my car was grounding on bumpy roads and now it isn't, so I am very happy with the outcome.I hope this helps in some way Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 crispinchurch Posted January 16, 2018 Report Share Posted January 16, 2018 if you got same rear shocks as mine they are adjustable by unbolt on end and screw in but make sure same number of turns on each side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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robbie2red
Hi all,
Do any of you know anything about the possibility of lowering these vehicles? Or has anyone done it?
Any information would be much appreciated, thanks.
Rob
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