Ford Transit AWD Lift Install

In this video, we will be showing you how we installed a lift kit on our AWG Ford Transit Camper Van Conversion.

We also show how to install bigger tires and wheels on the camper van after we installed our lift kit. The video has been broken up into chapters for easy navigation.

Thank you again to Van Compass for sending us this kit! Now our van is ready for off-road adventures with the ground clearance we have gained from adding this lift kit to the van.

00:00 Introduction
00:10 Pre-Install Measurements
00:31 Jack Up Rear of Van
01:16 Disconnect Shock
01:48 Disconnect Axle Housing from Leaf Springs
02:29 Install New Leaf Pack
04:44 Shock Mount Modification and Bracket Install
06:41 Falcon SP2 Rear Shock Explanation
09:14 Rear Shock Install
10:33 Add Spacer to Bump Stop
11:09 Rear Suspension Wrap Up
11:59 Install New Wheels and Tires
12:14 Jack up Front of Van
12:41 Disassembly - Remove Tie Rod End from Steering Knuckle
13:03 Remove Brake Caliper
13:40 Disconnect Sway Bar End Link
14:07 Disconnect Sensor Wires
14:56 Remove Axle Nut
16:03 Detach Steering Knuckle from Strut and Lower Control Arm
17:48 Disconnect Steering Knuckle and Lower Control Arm
19:02 Remove Strut Assembly
21:18 Replace Coil Spring
22:37 Reassemble Strut
24:58 Cut Down Studs with Angle Grinder
25:34 Install Strut Spacer
26:40 Connect Strut to Steering Knuckle
28:27 Reinstall Strut and Steering Knuckle on Van
30:08 Reassemble Steering Knuckle to Lower Control Arm
30:44 Sway Bar End Link Relocation Bracket Install
32:27 Reconnect Sensor Wires
33:20 Reconnect Brake Caliper to Steering Knuckle
34:23 Reattach Tie Rod End to Steering Knuckle
34:52 Reinstall Axle Nut
35:16 Front Suspension Wrap Up
35:56 Attach New Tires and Wheels
38:01 Post-Install Measurements
38:38 Tips for Success

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Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful with planning and installing your DIY Camper:

[johndumke]

Nate, great job on the video, Really appreciate your time spend documenting this.

[michaelmanphotography]

Thank you for the videos. They are very enjoyable. I appreciate your good nature and your skills. I learned a ton about van builds. After watching your team (!) and all 36 (?!) videos, I chiefly learned that there is no way I that I would try a van build.

[RobertSmith-oszj]

Great video . I went crazy every time you called a nut a bolt . Went crazy about 30 times .

[rcniss]

What a great video! Did you post a link for the tire and wheel combo from Tire Rack? I'm not finding it. HELP!

[Jasper]

Awesome kit, the shock bracket on these vans is awful, glad to see they considered that

[ctclimberguy]

Nice! Now I just need to sell my trailer conversion & get a transit

[MakeColdWarGreatAgain]

Great video, Nate! The 2" lift kits can put angle constraints on the axle shaft and other components, leading to premature wear. Some lift kits, like WTD, seem to have addressed this problem. Do you have any comments on this? What would be the best 2" lift kit you would recommend if budget was not an issue? Thanks!

[landrover]

Awesome video! Now we need to see an Airbag Man install.

[stephanemarchand]

Thank you for this terrific instruction video!
Maybe I missed it, but were you able to fit the bigger tires in the spare tire well? And if so, did you have to do any modification?
Thanks again!

[ttirrell]

This video is awesome. I got the vancompass left kit for my van, but had it installed by a shop. Curious how long you estimate this took for a DIY install?

[jonmustang]

I've done a good bit of off-roading and rock crawling and am now considering a Transit... BUT I'm just looking to hit up some dusty roads, loose rocks, a bit of snow, but not actual "crawl." Do you think an un-lifted AWD Transit with all-season tires and maybe an e-locker would be good enough for most mild-to-moderate trails?

[Mike-xd]

Hey Nate n Steph, Great video again. Can you please give me an update on the front suspension lift as far as knocking and or sponginess now that you've completed it closer to a year now? I'm heading west to the back country soon and need your best opinion. Thanks so much guys. Mike

[Jarblobbo]

Thanks for the video. I’ve been toying with the idea of this upgrade for a while now and I always balk at the cost vs value proposition. It seems the biggest benefit from everything installed is the bigger/grippier tires. With the 245/75/16 do you still need the lift?

[markkeith]

Excellent video greatly appreciate this. Clear with detailed steps. Cheers

[lombardshardwoodsupply]

How do you like the falken 245/75 /16's? You have had them for several months.
I have the same van, same suspension upgrade running max gvw looking for new tires.

[Kmcgeephotography]

Hey Nate, this may be a silly question but did you buy 5 of the wheel sets for a spare? Wondering if the larger setup still fits under the van? I am hoping to not have to mount the spare on the back and keep it underneath. Also trying to keep costs down and if I did not need to buy 5, but was concerned if I did need to change it out driving on the original spare could harm the van. Thanks so much!!

[justtravelthings]

Nate Another Great Job
Witch One did you use ?
Shock Tune Light / Mid 8500 OR Mid / Heavy Over 8500
Again thanks very much for all your Hard Work

[nbc]

terrific job and terrific video, thank you

[noahstoeckel]

Could it be worthwhile to replace the front struts while having it all apart?

[JohnHenryEllis]

I like those wheels, what are the specifications?