Thank you for being the only person in the entire world of existence to describe Howard to lower the van!!! Literally the only person!!! Now I know my idea is unique...
Nice van buddy I have a 2000 ram van 1500 v6 3 speed I camp, fish and hike with it. I’m looking to fix it up a bit more so i’m so glad you’re putting up these kind of videos
The only way to lower your van the correct way is to flip the axle and notch the frame. You should also notch the front frame so the lower control arm has room to travel
I agree with you the correct way to flip the axle is to c-notch the frame. I actually ran into the issue of my differential knocking up against the body, which is why I decided to raise the van back up for a milder drop. I'll release a tips and tricks video soon explaining more in depth about that. For the front, I'm not sure what you mean
I totally missed your update until your second follow-up video. All I can say is thank you! 🙏 I have seriously had difficulty piecing all this together. I’m about done trying to find decent wheels I like. Damn Watanabe spoiled me.
This answered so many of my questions. Thank you thank you thank you. I was about to get Dakota drop spindles for my 99. But I think I will be going your way.
I did get the Dakota spindles, but then found they need modifications to work right. The Dakota spindles do work with the van brakes but you have to grind on the spindle assembly, and also will have bumpsteer due to the steering arm geometry. But that can be corrected with a tie rod drop. I am only going to use the spindles as a last resort.
Changing leaf springs from spring over (SOA) to spring under (SUA) try using a wedge (found on most 4x4 websites and stores) to fix the driveline angle so the axle pinion points towards the rear output of the transmission. Also wonder how it would work with a solid axle swap in the front and use a transfer case like the one in my Jeep ZJ 5.9 limited which is AWD not 4wd. Just think a Daji would be fun in AWD.
I've thought about this AWD conversion possibility. If I ever switch over to a manual trans, I'll definitely look into this. Theoretically, it should work as long as the suspension geometry in the front isn't thrown too far out of whack requiring crazy amounts of modification/fabrication
I watched this video the night that I left the van at the shop to get some work done and have them cut the front springs.told them to hold off and now I got the moog springs. I only want to lower the rear about 3 to 4 inches, so gotta figure out which options to explore first.thanks for the video!
Let us know how your lowering goes. I got the rear drop shackle kit myself. Wish I had seen this before ordering B3500 front springs but just ordered the 7390s. The B3500 springs are not that expensive if i end up wanting to use stiffer springs and will have to be cut down.
@@snake_eyes_garage The front is absolutely perfect with the moog springs mentioned in this video. I am using 16x8 wheels with 225/60/16 tires and it looks exactly how I wanted. The rear is going to need more experimenting because I Will be running bigger rims and I Will have to raise the rear after installing the flip kit.
Question- when doing a raised spindle on the 1998-2003 Van you recommended to use Dakota brakes. The Dakota brake rotors are 6 lug and the vans are 5 lug. Can you just source 94-97 dodge van caliper and rotor to use with Dakota raised spindle?
I completely love the Dajiban life style i seen in a video there starting to do Astro vans also, i have a Astro I've been waiting to strip down an do something with.... Do you know where to look to get a idea on making it a properly build to meet there specs? Mind you I'm doing this build in middle Tennessee out of respect for the culture they have started. Thanks
Yeah I've seen some Japanese Astro van builds, but I think that culture is still pretty new. I don't think there's a specific site to go to. From what I saw they mostly go the ultra comfortable touring van route with them. But at the end of the day it's your van so do it how you want to. I'd look at social media Instagram specifically for ideas
Thanks for the info. I purchased a 1999 2500 van and just replaced the engine. And now starting to work on the bodywork and suspension. Can you send me an update of how things are now. I noticed that your video is a few years old now. But I wanted to get the latest info on how it is going with your van. I’m wanting the look of a Dajiban but not looking for the performance. But I want a smooth ride and a good sound. More a cruiser but I love the look and the stance of the Dajiban.
I ran the 7392s but they are discontinued. I had a viewer install 7394s recently (a few weeks ago) and sent me pics. He got a 3" drop and said it rides well. Looks great. I'd look at what the differences are between the 7396 and 7394 and see what works better for your setup. I'm guessing the only difference will be spring rates
I get using the Dakota spindles but IF you are going to use those brakes as well from those listed years, are you not then having to use that 6 bolt hub pattern? AFAIK you can't redrill those to 5 lug (not enough space) and isn't that same 6 lug bolt pattern quite limiting regarding the choice of wheels?
Don't quote me on this, but I believe the 94-97 vans rotors might fit on the Dakota spindles. It's been a while since I did my research. Did I say you needed the Dakota rotors in my how to video? That information would be most accurate. Regarding wheel fitment, you'll find that the 5-lug pattern, at least for the 98-03 van (5x139.7) is extremely hard to find wheels for. The selection is super limited. I don't remember off the top of my head if the 94-97 vans had the same lug pattern as mine, but I think they do. I never searched for Dakota wheel replacements, but I'd imagine it's easier to find its 6-lug pattern, or at least just as hard as the 5-lug. So either way, it's a wash. Hope that helps.
@@dajibanlife3017 Thanks for the info, I have been tempted on several occasions to buy a Dakota of the years we are talking about and have avoided them once I found out how few aftermarket wheels were available in that 6 bolt pattern and how much of a pain it is trying to get 5 lug to work any which way. From what you have said about the vans and what I can find about Dakotas its almost as if Dodge deliberately chose such goofy patterns. Thanks again.
Hey what kinda tires r u running? (size/type) I have a whack load of questions. :) And ideas. I have a 99 3500 extended window van lol (essentially a bus) cheers
Follow-up question: What about the rear shocks? Do the stock shocks still fit/work when the rear is lowered so much? If not, what do you think should be used instead?
Stock shocks will work for up to a 4" drop. Anything more than that and you'll have to source shorter shocks. Dodge caravan shocks work, but I'd recommend getting shock extenders ($60) and heavy duty shocks
Would you happen to know what I need to do to lift my van? I have a 99 dodge ram van, is there a spring and or shock I can use to lift it? Thanks.......... Axl
They sell spring spacers. They're basically just thicker rubber/polyurethane spring seats? I'm not sure exactly what they're called but they're universal fit for the front. For the rear you can get shorter shackles or spring helpers/add a leafs. There's other things you can do to achieve lift in the back, but I'm not going to recommend anything more as they are not as safe. I might be forgetting some ways. But for stock feel, those would be the things I'd do for lift without going full custom suspension
DajibanLife I’ve searched everywhere for a leveling and suspension lift but for some reason, the 99 to 2003 vans don’t have anything. Some guy told me they changed something. I believe the spacer you are talking about would be the one that fits on top of the spring....... not for those years. The rear is easy to lift
They do have spring spacers, they're just universal fit. I bought some and ran them for a while... Something star brand. Polyurethane spring spacers. Measure the diameter of the spring and order the corresponding size spacer they should fit
I'm actually thinking about doing this soon. My auto tranny is starting to die and instead of replacing it, I'm thinking of swapping it with a manual from a ram truck. I don't know if it will work, but everything should bolt together. The only iffy point would be the cross member but that can be fabbed up. Hopefully I'll be looking into it soon! Or you could just go with an LS swap like @chadsci on IG lol
I'll be honest I was just thinking about this. To me it makes sense on paper to get a transmission from a 2wd Dakota of the same era but then the question is how to mount the gear shift
Yeah that could work too. I haven't dug too deeply into it yet. Gotta do some research about tranny specs and see if they're different between dakota/rams. There might be some curb weight issues... I know there are some souped up Dakotas out there so the aftermarket might be more robust for parts too
I take my van anywhere i want to go! I lowered mine the same way and it rode like shit! Then I made some frame adjustments and it rides like factory again. You need to notch the front and rear frame rails but I suggest buying the drop spindles for the front because you need a rust free frame to do what I did.