Follow Up

[LostInTransit]

As part of our continuing experiment of upgrading the suspension of a 2020 Transit Connect, for the last 2 years we've been testing the Cobra Suspension rear lowering springs on the van. When first installed, these springs were listed as being 40mm lowering springs which was actually the distance between the tire edge and the fender edge. But over these last 2 years, the springs have started to sagging, and the tires have been hitting the fender edge on a regular bases. They went from the 40mm down to 34mm. At one point we've attempt to have a tool made that would curve or bend the fender edge inward. But never got around to having this tool made.



Our most recent project include a custom set of rear springs that are 2'' shorter and 20% stiffer than factory, which were installed on the cargo version of the van. we had a spring company design a set of rear springs for the van based on the desired specs and they completed this task in less than 4 weeks. We got the springs 3 weeks ago and test fitted them just to make sure the specs were spot on. All doubts where pushed aside when the springs went right in.



With the springs now verified, we had the springs sent to our powder coaters where they laid down a thick bright red color.. got the springs back last week and installed them for the last time.



These new springs are very tight and stiff so much so that the front factory springs seem to bouncy more often now. which means these will also be upgraded to a stiffer shorter set from the same spring manufacture.

 

[LostInTransit]

it's been 20 days since my last update and the van has been handling and performing very well with the new truck shocks. The only issue we've run into not shock related is bad fuel form either exxon, shell or sunoco.. These stations along with others, in a pinch tend to buy fuel from a company called Carroll fuel and according to several family members, they had to replace their fuel injectors along without fuel related devices because of the bad carroll fuels. I don't have any proof of this other than the van was sputtering and running poorly. Switched to the BP fuels and the van is running smooth again.

 

[LostInTransit]

Ongoing fuel issue with the van. Again seems to be something with the fuel we're using and I've switched up several time. However I made a discovery last week when checking my handily work of a few prior of checking under the hood. I thought best to get rid of the BG products AFt and opt for the Valvolina AFT. What attracted my attention is that some point along the build the small air vent tubes running from the grille to the airbox had become dislodged. this could be one reason for the bad fuel economy because the engine wasn't getting enough air. This 3 part air tube thing was broken along the way buy one of the shops we've been using to repair or replace parts on the van. So instead of trying to fix these tubes, I simply removed them amn what a difference. So when driving at low RPM around town the van runs silent.. but punch it and the engine comes to life sound very similar to that of the Subaru Impreza. Oddly I've yet to installed a better exhaust system so all one is hearing is engine noise.

Another issue we've run into is that the 2 year old Bilstein B6 struts are failing or failed. I've hired a youtuber to install the new Monroe Struts and New Godspeed end links as the end links have a flush design to them which was done for clearance. Once we video the installation, he'll post this on his youtube channel for content.