Lowering a van?

**redhat** · 11th August 2012, 09:38

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.** · 11th August 2012, 09:49

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 11th August 2012, 10:10

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

**SMOKEU** · 11th August 2012, 10:25

Chop the springs with an angle grinder g.

**redhat** · 11th August 2012, 10:32

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

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!

Originally Posted by 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

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

Air Force, not Army.

**bogan** · 11th August 2012, 10:33

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

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** · 11th August 2012, 10:35

Originally Posted by redhat

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** · 11th August 2012, 10:41

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** · 11th August 2012, 10:45

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 11th August 2012, 10:46

Originally Posted by bogan

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** · 11th August 2012, 11:28

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** · 11th August 2012, 12:29

Originally Posted by 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

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