Chinook RV

Hi, i have a 2001 e350 dually Chinook RV, 21' at 9700 lbs. rear axle is roughly 6500lb. I bought an Action Van 4.5" front lift and once installed was going to have rear leaf springs made to raise rear, plus put on 235/85/16 tires.

Local shop informed me today the spring shop will not make custom springs to lift rear in-line with the front. So I am being told I need to use 4" blocks in the rear, but I am concerned about using 4" blocks on rear, even with proper install. Are my fears unfounded? ActionVan has done rear blocks in rigs like mine plus much bigger and says there has been no problems. I do know with blocks the upper plate will need to be modified so it doesn't puncture tire. I also have MorRyde Rubber Shackle system so not sure if that matters.

If blocks are problematic where can I get a leaf spring pack made as local place refuses? If I need leaf springs can I run blocks until leaf springs come in?

I am in VA and lifted vans/rv are not common here so shops think I am crazy in general. My goal for lift is just to get ground clearance and not to forge into crazy off camber stuff.

I am under gun because front lift and tires being installed Thursday but now local refusal to make rear leaf springs forces me to either run blocks or have leaf springs made elsewhere. BTW I posted this at expeditionportal as well since I need to make decision quick.

Thats odd, there are spring shops all over the west coast that will make anything you want. In your predicament with time being a factor, you may want to consider just doing the block for now to keep the project on time then revisit the rear suspension setup when you have the resources/ time available to make it how you want. Luckily blocks are cheap compared to other things.

I do not see a problem in general with using lift blocks. I just don't see how you are going to modify the spring plates and still leave enough meat on them for the ubolt nuts. That's why I used custom leaf springs on mine.

My lift shop had further conversation with spring Shop and spoke to someone else in the shop who said they could come up with solution but I may need 1" - 2" block, this is certainly more palatable than a 4" block.

markatherton wrote: October 16th, 2018, 11:58 am I do not see a problem in general with using lift blocks. I just don't see how you are going to modify the spring plates and still leave enough meat on them for the ubolt nuts. That's why I used custom leaf springs on mine.

This was a concern of mine, how much modification is left, tires are only 235's so maybe that helps but it is a concern.

sm350bl wrote: October 16th, 2018, 11:41 am Thats odd, there are spring shops all over the west coast that will make anything you want.

I have discovered that many places on East Coast don't lift RV's so they are hesitant to get involved. Out West plenty of people get it and do it but having done in East takes more time if not going to Quickley or Ujoint for full conversion.

sm350bl wrote: October 16th, 2018, 11:41 am In your predicament with time being a factor, you may want to consider just doing the block for now to keep the project on time then revisit the rear suspension setup when you have the resources/ time available to make it how you want. Luckily blocks are cheap compared to other things.

Agreed, if Spring shop cannot come up with suitable solution I'll have 4" block installed and when at Overland Expo stop by Ujoint's shop to see if they can order me up some leaf springs. Blocks are cheap so if only temporary not much pain.

Bottom line we are at point of no return, Thursday I get front lift/tires/shocks/steering stabilzer put on then we'll tackle rear. Hopefully Spring shop comes thru but if not we will try to install 4" blocks and go from there.

Turns out we only need 2" block in rear, but I need 5/8" bolt hole which we are having trouble locating. Leaf springs will take time so hopefully we can find solution before Overland East. We can drill out but don't want to negatively impact structure of block.

Here is sneak peak.....