Lowering a van?

[redhat]

Recently bought a Mitsi l300 for moving my bike and belongings around the country for when I get posted to different bases. I made sure to buy a decent van (petrol, < 300k km's, good mechanically) but I don't know much about cars, much less modifying them...

1. What would need to be done to lower it a bit for ease of getting the bike in? I don't mean slamming it to the ground and chucking mags on it - just something reasonable.
2. How much would this set me back?

[DEATH_INC.]

Recently bought a Mitsi l300 for moving my bike and belongings around the country for when I get posted to different bases. I made sure to buy a decent van (petrol, < 300k km's, good mechanically) but I don't know much about cars, much less modifying them...

1. What would need to be done to lower it a bit for ease of getting the bike in? I don't mean slamming it to the ground and chucking mags on it - just something reasonable.
2. How much would this set me back?
Lowering it 2" with blocks and torsion adjustment and alignment would cost you $350 from us, so I'd assume someone down there will do the same. If you don't know about these things get someone to do it for you.

[bogan]

How long is the ramp you use? I have an '90 L300, with a 2m (ish) ramp, and its a piece of cake to get my 180kg bike in there. Thought you army guys were supposed to be tough anyway :bleh:

[SMOKEU]

Chop the springs with an angle grinder g.

[redhat]

Lowering it 2" with blocks and torsion adjustment and alignment would cost you $350 from us, so I'd assume someone down there will do the same. If you don't know about these things get someone to do it for you.
Thanks for the info!


How long is the ramp you use? I have an '90 L300, with a 2m (ish) ramp, and its a piece of cake to get my 180kg bike in there. Thought you army guys were supposed to be tough anyway :bleh:
Haven't tried yet - what do you use as a ramp? A long plank of wood?

Air Force, not Army. :niceone:

[bogan]

Chop the springs with an angle grinder g.

Unfortunately neither leaf springs, nor torsion bars perform very well after being cut with an angle grinder...

[bogan]

Haven't tried yet - what do you use as a ramp? A long plank of wood?

yeh, 2 by 8, or maybe 2 by 12.

[jellywrestler]

you're in Blenheim it's real simple.
Fit GPS tracking, some fluffy dice on the rear veiw mirror, and leave 1/2 dozen codys on the front seat. It'll be stolen repainted and lowered within a couple of days and you can relocate it via the GPS, they'll even leave the empty codys in the back so you can get some scrap money for them.

[huff3r]

Recently bought a Mitsi l300 for moving my bike and belongings around the country for when I get posted to different bases. I made sure to buy a decent van (petrol, < 300k km's, good mechanically) but I don't know much about cars, much less modifying them...

1. What would need to be done to lower it a bit for ease of getting the bike in? I don't mean slamming it to the ground and chucking mags on it - just something reasonable.
2. How much would this set me back?


There are probably plenty of people on base who can help you out with that. Join the engineering club (if you haven't already) and speak to some of their members.

Or go have a talk to some GSET guys, they should have the know-how and may be willing to help.

[SMOKEU]

Unfortunately neither leaf springs, nor torsion bars perform very well after being cut with an angle grinder...

I thought it would have coil springs in the front which are all good to chop. Cutties are real mint to drive with.

[Subike]

Its a Mitzi
Three sets of road speed humps at 100kph + and presto, lowered, ( drives the spring mounts up at least 50mm into the chassis)
It will bounce and sway a bit after that, but the springs will be nice and sloppy

[FJRider]

Its a Mitzi
Three sets of road speed humps at 100kph + and presto, lowered, ( drives the spring mounts up at least 50mm into the chassis)
It will bounce and sway a bit after that, but the springs will be nice and sloppy

It's a Mitzi van ... can they go that fast with a load in the back ...

[redhat]

Appreciate the humour guys, thanks for all the info - I will look into it.

[Usarka]

How to lower a van:

http://test.picshag.com/pics/032010/lowrider-van.jpg

[bogan]

It's a Mitzi van ... can they go that fast with a load in the back ...

Not if it is a single carb sohc 4g63 :facepalm: Mine was down to 30kmhr on some of the napier taupo hills with a load in the back.

[Kickaha]

It's a Mitzi van ... can they go that fast with a load in the back ...

When the first of the injected 2.4 came out we saw an indicated 180kmh on the clock, (closed private road testing of course)

[FJRider]

When the first of the injected 2.4 came out we saw an indicated 180kmh on the clock, (closed private road testing of course)

So .... the speedo's are suspect too huh ... :lol:

[CookMySock]

Its a Mitzi
Three sets of road speed humps at 100kph + and presto, lowered, ( drives the spring mounts up at least 50mm into the chassis)Haha, cue leet skillz keeping it on the road if you do that! Any nearby boxthorn hedge will turn into a giant magnet!!

[sinfull]

Save ya money, buy a decent fold up 2m alloy ramp with hooks for bumper or pin it and practice loading the bike (with someone spottin for ya)

It will lower itself with a load on, without taking away from the shit suspension it already has !

If i can load a 300 odd kg HD into my hiace alone, you will manage the Hyo !

[Laava]

I can send my poly relations around for ya if you want? That will lower the van!