I bought a used 2001 Savana 12 passenger slt last summer. During the test drive, I didn't notice just how hard and harse the suspension was. (The test road was very smooth). \ In the next few weeks the hard jarring and jostling, gave me a neck whiplash, and the pains that go with it. In face this vehicle cannot be driven over any uneven roads unless it is fully loaded. With 6 grown men in it, the ride is still harsh.
A suspension specialist, here offered a solution. He suggested that the overload (3/4" thick tapered leaf) spring is in contact when the van is empty. He said that he could invert it, and would make the ride much better. Ok, for $150 he removed the leaf rear springs , dixmantled them, and reassembled with the overload upside down. He did add xtra normal leaf in each in order to maintain the height.
The test run, what a difference. No more harshness and tossing from the back springs. The front coils , are the mid stiff factories. I'd hate to ride in a van with the stiff ones. May still switch out the fronts for the soft ones, but happy so far with just the backs done.
He said the only disadvantage, is that with a full load the rear will sag down until overloads contact, ( app 3"). So far, I've loaded it with 6 adult males, (app 1100 pounds, and it's still level.
I also changed out the stock shocks for aftermarket control shocks, to achieve good handling and less roll. Installed the monroe top of the line ones.
Anyone else with this kind of trouble?