I, too, am about to do this job on my 1986 B250. My old '85 had really bad rot and had to be binned years ago. This one is pretty much rust-free, and I'm treating it as a resto. Great video. Thanks for filming this and keep up the good work.
bringing up that lower control arm with the new coil can be a pain in the ass, great job man, i always like to have a small 2 ton floor jack the low profile one that makes it easy also use a rope to hold the rotor up, that can save you a back muscle sprain, thanks for sharing, lots of learning from your work, lots of fun to watch as well
Man, you are the dude. Thanks so much for filming this; so little is available these days for these vans, and watching this gave me more info that I have gathered so far in regards and in sum to my front end and what to expect during my upcoming overhaul of same.
IT'S A THING OF A BEAUTY TO SEE THE WHOLE SUSPENSION OF THIS BABY BRAND NEW BASICALLY, IT'S A JOY REALLY, MINE IT'S A 2000 RAM VAN 3500 I'M DOING EXACTLY THE SAME, THIS VIDEO IS PERFECT, THANKS AGAIN
The ending part on the brake pads outer shifting in the caliper was indeed helpful. I already bent the tabs on mine and I still get a clunk as they shift at the end of a good amount of braking. I must have racked my brain and endlessly Google and TH-camd for hours wondering if the permatex stuff was a real solution. Great information. I enjoyed watching and it was a very helpful set of videos as my 5th Avenue has very similar suspension parts. Especially the parts on torque specs for the idler and center link. Extremely helpful to watch someone doing all of it. My plan is to inspect and try to tighten the parts. Last go round at the alignment shop the guy took a couple castle nuts loose and took me back to show me 'I need to replace a lot of expensive things'. This time I can know what to check and try tightening before taking it for alignment at a shop that is hopefully honest. Cheers!
Was a bit concerned that one of your jack stands was starting to dig in the ground and tilt it appeared. Anyway, thanks for the detailed video. What did you do end up doing for the pitting in the frame?
The welded on square bolts that hold the shock in the bottom of the lower control arm busted off!!!! Brand new too! I guess we’re gonna have to improvise. But man I was so bummed.
hey, just had a question since your one of the few people I have seen with a 91 b250 like me. do you have any advice on lifting it 2"? I been looking into coil spacers and rear shackles but unsure about the fitment. I can mainly find ones for d250. any advice would is appreciated.
Hello! I am glad you did this video because it is hard to find anything about this van and fixing things on them(it’s always the Ram) I need to replace basically the whole suspension for a 1999 Dodge B1500(Ram Van 1500) and I was able to find everything I needed on Amazon except for the mechanic told me to get Torque Bar Bushings and I can’t find them anywhere and most people are telling me sway bar frame bushing. So from seeing your video do these van have these torque bar bushings or are they called something else? I need your help!!
Some people add them as steering stabilizers if that is what you are referring to. Those need to be set up correctly so that they do not push to one side.
Huge thanks for doing these videos on the van - not easy finding stuff as every time you google stuff, you always wind up on ram truck page. I have a b2500 96, seems almost the same as yours. Just wondering if you used the spring compression tool on the other spring or did you do the same as the spring in the video by using a jack? Again, really enjoyed watching these videos and learned quite a bit. Thank you.
No problem, I saw a lot of truck videos too so that's why I ended up doing the van videos. I did not use a spring compressor to put the control arms back in. One thing I would do differently is use a 2 lb hammer to hit the tapers on the ball joints instead of using the pickle fork. I did not need to save the ball joints but some people may want to.
Great video, thanks. I'm working on changing springs on my 90' Roadtrek Popular (B250). I'm having trouble separating the the lower ball joint from the spindle assembly. Is there any other way to get it free without scraping the lower ball joint with the tuning fork? Like you, none of the ball joint seperators seem to fit. Also, how much more clearance did you gain in the wheel well (tire to fender) with the HD spring over the original? I was getting tire rub on the fender so I have an extra 1" Poly spacer I was planning on putting under the new Moog 7272 spring.
You can club the ball joints with a 2 lb hammer to pop them if you can reach them that way. You will see me do that in my Jeep suspension video. I obtained somewhere between 1" and 2" when I did this job...I think. You can find related posts on Dodge Forum under the Full Size Ram Van section which is probably where I documented that. Your 1" spacer will probably give you 2" or more of lift so watch out. It's in the middle of the pivot distance so you get more height out of it than you put in.
Hello Stephen, would you happen to know if the Dodge ram 1500 pickup and the van B2500 has the same front wheel hub bearing assembly? I will be doing an RR soon and have difficulty sourcing that part. I have 95 b2500 and like someone else mentioned, some van parts are different and harder to find. Helpful video, thank you.
Hello, great video, I have a question, I looking for front lower control arm for dodge van b3500 but I can't get one like the one you have in the video, What model and brand is it?
I have tried many different methods to find out about these MOOG 7272 springs as I need these same replacements.. But I guess can't find them anywhere on the internet...??.. OS it hav anything to do with different part #'s..??.. Is it a Canadian version of a particular version or part number versus a USA version..??.. I jus have not luck with finding them.. Cool video and of you having everything else ready to install in one go...
Those springs come in 3/4, 13/16 and 7/8" dia. wire. I have three B150's with each spring set, the 13/16" is the best for me. Measure yours with an open end wrench. Moog and others do not show diameters...would be helpful if they did.
@@SteveRivett These appear to be discontinued, Not available at Rockauto or Mopar Parts giant, or anywhere else, it seems. I have a '98 B3500/350 conversion van (a Xplorer 230XLW), and have found two other HD springs available for it: Dayton 350900HD they say adds 35% more load cap than standard but I don't know what they are comparing them too, and General Spring 350-7226SD, that are advertised as having 1000lbs. more capacity than standard, and an additional 1/2" at zero additional load, I think I am going to go with the Daytons
Everybody should note that the springs I mention above are for a B3500 with a 4000lb. front axle, not a 2500 like Stephen's van, and are quite a bit stiffer than the stock 3500 springs apparently, which of course are stiffer than the stock 2500 springs, so they might be a bit much for a 2500 or 1500 chassis.
Can someone provide documents on the sizes of different fasteners that will be needed to be replaced? I am trying to change my crossmember on my B250. No repair manual though
I think I covered the crossmember swap for the most part in the two videos other than I didn't remove it but I did get full access. I think you'll also need to remove the engine mounts which are a bit tricky due to access. It is worth buying a set of wrenches up to 1-1/4" and about 32 mm. Metric wrench sets are kind of weird, look for skipped sizes like 16 or 18 mm and it can take two sets of metric wrenches to get all the way to 32 mm because there are a lot more wrenches than in imperial.
I have a 2003 dodge van 2500. Upper control arm ball joint keeps spinning when trying to torque down I’ve put pressure on control arm. Let off pressure and it’s still turning. Any ideas?
I'm working on a 1997 B2500, do I have to replace the control arms if I replace the coil springs for the heavy duty ones? Or only if it's in bad shape? TKS, great video!
No, I replaced the control arms because I was concerned that one was bent. If you wanted 1-ton control arms in your 3/4-ton you would probably need to replace the spindles and wheels too.
@@SteveRivett haaa good to know, I'm going to replace all for the same stock parts, but I will add the 1" 1/2 spacers in the top of the coils to gain some ground clearance. Tks a lot, this video it's very helpful.
@@SteveRivett Thank you... I was able to get a MOOG as a cross reference from the numbers you provided.. It's 7am and I am working with my own suspension replacement for my Van to... Again tanks...
It turns out that Mopar has an updated strut bar bushing design so you may want to check that out. It is a rubber bushing with a steel sleeve and is supposed to ride nicer than poly bushings.
Where can you find this updated version? I was about to order the polyurethane bushings for our '93 B350 Roadtrek but now I will wait til I hear, thanks... Also, if there is not a better version, what and where did you get the ones you used? I can not find any with the new metal round 'washers', just the 2 plain bushings.
Absolutely, going to heavy springs is a big improvement over the normal B250 springs. My van is always at the limit for front axle weight because of the conversion and fresh water tank under the van just below the passenger seat..
Please check out my affiliate links in the description if you are looking for parts and pricing.
@Dylan Smith no, I think you just need to support the lower control arm with a jack so that it doesn't flop down
Watching folks do that crap on the ground makes me glad i have a 2 post car lift.
I, too, am about to do this job on my 1986 B250. My old '85 had really bad rot and had to be binned years ago. This one is pretty much rust-free, and I'm treating it as a resto. Great video. Thanks for filming this and keep up the good work.
bringing up that lower control arm with the new coil can be a pain in the ass, great job man, i always like to have a small 2 ton floor jack the low profile one that makes it easy also use a rope to hold the rotor up, that can save you a back muscle sprain, thanks for sharing, lots of learning from your work, lots of fun to watch as well
Man, you are the dude. Thanks so much for filming this; so little is available these days for these vans, and watching this gave me more info that I have gathered so far in regards and in sum to my front end and what to expect during my upcoming overhaul of same.
Your the only video that helped me on my van , thank you.
IT'S A THING OF A BEAUTY TO SEE THE WHOLE SUSPENSION OF THIS BABY BRAND NEW BASICALLY, IT'S A JOY REALLY, MINE IT'S A 2000 RAM VAN 3500 I'M DOING EXACTLY THE SAME, THIS VIDEO IS PERFECT, THANKS AGAIN
The ending part on the brake pads outer shifting in the caliper was indeed helpful. I already bent the tabs on mine and I still get a clunk as they shift at the end of a good amount of braking. I must have racked my brain and endlessly Google and TH-camd for hours wondering if the permatex stuff was a real solution. Great information. I enjoyed watching and it was a very helpful set of videos as my 5th Avenue has very similar suspension parts. Especially the parts on torque specs for the idler and center link. Extremely helpful to watch someone doing all of it. My plan is to inspect and try to tighten the parts. Last go round at the alignment shop the guy took a couple castle nuts loose and took me back to show me 'I need to replace a lot of expensive things'. This time I can know what to check and try tightening before taking it for alignment at a shop that is hopefully honest. Cheers!
I really appreciate this video, I am about to do the same to my van, and this video answered so many questions.
Do you remember where you ended up getting the strut bar lock nut and washer?
Was a bit concerned that one of your jack stands was starting to dig in the ground and tilt it appeared. Anyway, thanks for the detailed video. What did you do end up doing for the pitting in the frame?
Nice video! Informative! You made it look easy!
How much did very thing costs. Thank you
The welded on square bolts that hold the shock in the bottom of the lower control arm busted off!!!! Brand new too! I guess we’re gonna have to improvise. But man I was so bummed.
Thanks for reply but I went another route and the Van is perfect steering now.
hey, just had a question since your one of the few people I have seen with a 91 b250 like me. do you have any advice on lifting it 2"? I been looking into coil spacers and rear shackles but unsure about the fitment. I can mainly find ones for d250. any advice would is appreciated.
Hello! I am glad you did this video because it is hard to find anything about this van and fixing things on them(it’s always the Ram) I need to replace basically the whole suspension for a 1999 Dodge B1500(Ram Van 1500) and I was able to find everything I needed on Amazon except for the mechanic told me to get Torque Bar Bushings and I can’t find them anywhere and most people are telling me sway bar frame bushing. So from seeing your video do these van have these torque bar bushings or are they called something else? I need your help!!
I would go over to Rock Auto and use their system to figure out the parts. It has photos and part #s which are very helpful.
@@SteveRivett Ok! I will check it out. Thank You so much..
Why did some vans have shocks and other didn’t?? I have an 89 with coil and shock in the front
Some people add them as steering stabilizers if that is what you are referring to. Those need to be set up correctly so that they do not push to one side.
Great video very informative. Did you get any lift with the 7272 springs vs stock?
yes, it brought it back up to where it should be. it would look kind of strange if your rear springs were original and sagged out too
@@SteveRivett thanks. My rear leaf springs are tired too those are next after the 7272s get installed.
Huge thanks for doing these videos on the van - not easy finding stuff as every time you google stuff, you always wind up on ram truck page. I have a b2500 96, seems almost the same as yours. Just wondering if you used the spring compression tool on the other spring or did you do the same as the spring in the video by using a jack? Again, really enjoyed watching these videos and learned quite a bit. Thank you.
No problem, I saw a lot of truck videos too so that's why I ended up doing the van videos. I did not use a spring compressor to put the control arms back in. One thing I would do differently is use a 2 lb hammer to hit the tapers on the ball joints instead of using the pickle fork. I did not need to save the ball joints but some people may want to.
Great video, thanks. I'm working on changing springs on my 90' Roadtrek Popular (B250). I'm having trouble separating the the lower ball joint from the spindle assembly. Is there any other way to get it free without scraping the lower ball joint with the tuning fork? Like you, none of the ball joint seperators seem to fit. Also, how much more clearance did you gain in the wheel well (tire to fender) with the HD spring over the original? I was getting tire rub on the fender so I have an extra 1" Poly spacer I was planning on putting under the new Moog 7272 spring.
You can club the ball joints with a 2 lb hammer to pop them if you can reach them that way. You will see me do that in my Jeep suspension video. I obtained somewhere between 1" and 2" when I did this job...I think. You can find related posts on Dodge Forum under the Full Size Ram Van section which is probably where I documented that. Your 1" spacer will probably give you 2" or more of lift so watch out. It's in the middle of the pivot distance so you get more height out of it than you put in.
Where can I get coil springs for my 1999 Dodge Ram van 1500
you might need to go to a local alignment/suspension shop and see if they can get them, it looks like they are sold out on Rockauto.
Auto zone had them for my '92,just ordered them mine were $197.00 pr.
Hello Stephen, would you happen to know if the Dodge ram 1500 pickup and the van B2500 has the same front wheel hub bearing assembly? I will be doing an RR soon and have difficulty sourcing that part.
I have 95 b2500 and like someone else mentioned, some van parts are different and harder to find. Helpful video, thank you.
It looks like your van uses front rotors to hold the wheel bearings and that you do not have sealed hubs. Take a look at the photos on Rock Auto.
Thank you for the reply, much appreciated!
Hello, great video, I have a question, I looking for front lower control arm for dodge van b3500 but I can't get one like the one you have in the video, What model and brand is it?
those were AC Delco control arms from Rock Auto
I have tried many different methods to find out about these MOOG 7272 springs as I need these same replacements.. But I guess can't find them anywhere on the internet...??.. OS it hav anything to do with different part #'s..??.. Is it a Canadian version of a particular version or part number versus a USA version..??.. I jus have not luck with finding them.. Cool video and of you having everything else ready to install in one go...
www.rockauto.com/en/parts/moog,7272,coil+spring,7512
Those springs come in 3/4, 13/16 and 7/8" dia. wire. I have three B150's with each spring set, the 13/16" is the best for me. Measure yours with an open end wrench. Moog and others do not show diameters...would be helpful if they did.
@@SteveRivett These appear to be discontinued, Not available at Rockauto or Mopar Parts giant, or anywhere else, it seems. I have a '98 B3500/350 conversion van (a Xplorer 230XLW), and have found two other HD springs available for it: Dayton 350900HD they say adds 35% more load cap than standard but I don't know what they are comparing them too, and General Spring 350-7226SD, that are advertised as having 1000lbs. more capacity than standard, and an additional 1/2" at zero additional load, I think I am going to go with the Daytons
Everybody should note that the springs I mention above are for a B3500 with a 4000lb. front axle, not a 2500 like Stephen's van, and are quite a bit stiffer than the stock 3500 springs apparently, which of course are stiffer than the stock 2500 springs, so they might be a bit much for a 2500 or 1500 chassis.
Can someone provide documents on the sizes of different fasteners that will be needed to be replaced? I am trying to change my crossmember on my B250. No repair manual though
I think I covered the crossmember swap for the most part in the two videos other than I didn't remove it but I did get full access. I think you'll also need to remove the engine mounts which are a bit tricky due to access. It is worth buying a set of wrenches up to 1-1/4" and about 32 mm. Metric wrench sets are kind of weird, look for skipped sizes like 16 or 18 mm and it can take two sets of metric wrenches to get all the way to 32 mm because there are a lot more wrenches than in imperial.
I have a 2003 dodge van 2500. Upper control arm ball joint keeps spinning when trying to torque down
I’ve put pressure on control arm. Let off pressure and it’s still turning. Any ideas?
Put a box wrench onto the nut and then grab the stud with a pair of vice grips to hold it. You should be good then.
What kind of front upper coil spring isolaors you have and where to buy ?
those are MOOG, the part # is in the description and you can get them from any parts supplier
I'm working on a 1997 B2500, do I have to replace the control arms if I replace the coil springs for the heavy duty ones? Or only if it's in bad shape? TKS, great video!
No, I replaced the control arms because I was concerned that one was bent. If you wanted 1-ton control arms in your 3/4-ton you would probably need to replace the spindles and wheels too.
@@SteveRivett haaa good to know, I'm going to replace all for the same stock parts, but I will add the 1" 1/2 spacers in the top of the coils to gain some ground clearance. Tks a lot, this video it's very helpful.
I liked your video... Also, I can use a New set of them Strut Bar Bushings... Please, can you tell me where to get those Bushings.. Tanks..
ACDELCO 45G25049 strut rod bushings, I got them from Rock Auto but I'm sure you can get them at many stores if you ask
@@SteveRivett Thank you... I was able to get a MOOG as a cross reference from the numbers you provided.. It's 7am and I am working with my own suspension replacement for my Van to... Again tanks...
It turns out that Mopar has an updated strut bar bushing design so you may want to check that out. It is a rubber bushing with a steel sleeve and is supposed to ride nicer than poly bushings.
Where can you find this updated version? I was about to order the polyurethane bushings for our '93 B350 Roadtrek but now I will wait til I hear, thanks... Also, if there is not a better version, what and where did you get the ones you used? I can not find any with the new metal round 'washers', just the 2 plain bushings.
How is the van riding now? Did these repairs help mitigate bottoming out?
Absolutely, going to heavy springs is a big improvement over the normal B250 springs. My van is always at the limit for front axle weight because of the conversion and fresh water tank under the van just below the passenger seat..
That's great! Congrats on the successful repair, and thank you for this great video series.
can you let me know where you got the LCA's from?
They were AC Delco from Rock Auto.
@@SteveRivett thanks Stephen
Those extra strut arm rubbers you have for sale??
Sorry, they would have went with the van when I sold it.
@@SteveRivett ha. I found some.
I appreciate the video. Thanks!
Never use stands on dirt .should been lifted lot higher to start with have room for jack