2000 Chevy Express 1500 Suspension upgrades

Artorius · March 9, 2019

Hello, I have been helped by various posts on this forum for a long time but now joined mainly to ask some questions about upgrading my van.

Here is the scenario; my dad purchased the 2000 Chevy Express Conversion Van new from a dealership back in 2001. We used it as a family vehicle for many years but as us 'kids' grew up and married off, the van was left unused. So I purchased it from my dad and have been fixing it up. Whoever did the conversion was an idiot. They took an Express 1500 and made it into a conversion van that weighs 6,800# empty.

*The front doors are so heavy we had to reweld the hinges because the factory spot welds were peeling off.

*The van had front DRUM brakes which we changed out for a set of Brembo slotted disk brakes.

*Changed rear axle ratio from whatever stock was down to 3:73

*I upgraded the wheels from 15" to 17" and the tire size from 26" to 30.5" (yes the front tires rub sometimes, but it is 10X better in snow and rides better.).

*I replaced the rear leaf springs with 3/4 ton leaf springs and coil-over heavy duty shocks.

*Upgraded the full exhaust system from the manifolds back with 3" pipe and a high flow cat and Thrush muffler.

*Replaced the engine after I was a dumbA$$ and never refilled the coolant with coolant after having to add water due to a leak and the block froze and cracked. The replacement engine was taken from a 1999 Chevy Suburban.

*The transmission was replaced with a Monster Transmission brand 4L60-E rated up to 600hp and tuned for towing (quick firm shifts) and a heavy duty torque converter.

*Replaced all ball-joints and steering bushings.

*New "heavy duty" shocks for front suspension - which didn't change anything like I was hoping.

Anyway, now I want to upgrade the front suspension because it is SO SOFT that the van struggles to ride flat if the road has any bumps in it.

It is 2WD, so no front axle.

1: I want to upgrade the front and rear sway bars, can I just put 3/4-ton or 1-ton sway bars on it? Will they fit?

2: I want to upgrade the front springs and shocks with 3/4 ton springs and shocks. Is this possible?

2b: I would also be happy if anyone new of an air suspension or air-adjustable shocks that might work as well. I can't seem to find anything for front suspension for 2wd Chevy vans or trucks.

Thanks for any help.

Edited March 9, 2019 by Artorius

Artorius · March 13, 2019

Bump to help myself.

Artorius · March 27, 2019

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand BUMP.

Rayband · February 23, 2020

Amazon. Inside cool air bags

https://www.amazon.com/LIFT-60818-1000-Air-Spring/dp/B001OMVCIC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TG53XOEG0C3W&keywords=coil+air+bags&qid=1582435882&sprefix=Coil+air+b%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-1

I would use separate fill lines and maybe have gauges in dashboard. Mine is pretty firm with aluminum blocks(4 each side) with Rancho shocks and I have 7 leaf rear springs from a 1 ton 70s 4x4 with Burban gas sachs