1995 Chevy g20 conversion van changing coil springs to fix highway sway

Since owning my van I have had a bit of play in my wheel as well as sway and pull. I have changed out tires and had alignment attempted. Today I check all suspension components and change out the coil springs. Let’s see if this fixes the issue

[@iann8642]

What a time capsule….that is such a good looking ride….

[@coastalkev3776]

My '95 g20 has 260,000 miles. Still strong. 350 v8 I'm camped in Tampa for the winter. Heading to Berkeley Ca in June. See ya on the road.

[@EnthusiastCarHangar]

Never been a van fan but wow that would be a fun ride. Most of them are gone by now. Rusted away.

[@petescarport]

Thanks. I was in and boat. But if you have dogs it’s be best vehicle ever. They can walk around without jumping over everyone.

[@KrieseTV]

Nice g20! I'm currently restoring mine!

[@petescarport]

Thanks.

[@margiesvanmori]

Me too! I got a 1988 Chevy and I'm building it out into a home to travel. It's crazy how with shipping backed up everywhere I have had so much trouble getting small parts that I need. Great luck on restoring your van!

[@basilmacgill]

I'm in same position as you with sway please keep videos coming

[@danielcharles6804]

It would be a dream for me to do a 400miles trip somewhere with the family in one of does😊

[@kerlnicklows4939]

Very nicely done. Thank you.

[@petescarport]

I’m going to be doing an update. Just changed the idler and pitman arm and she is driving like new

[@kerlnicklows4939]

@@petescarport I'll have to check it out. Trying to solve the same type of problem on our '93 G20, so your info is helpful.

[@davediamond1742]

Hey Pete , nice g20 . like the channel , have you checked the RPO data tag in the center console. allot of these g20 vans of this error from 92-95 came with the heavy duty package , it would be on a hightop. a good way to tell is the lower control arm shaft and bushings , the heavy duty package will have the 2'' shafts and bushing. these are rare parts if yo try and replace the shafts , control arm , and are available but be warned they are very expensive , but you can rebuild them with new bushing and a little fabrication to support the double wall design of these lower control arms. Now the g10 wold have the 1 1/2 shafts and so would the g30 series , and the g10 and g30 have different lower control arms . i looked up the heavy duty rpo numbers for the front springs heavy duty in my 1992-1993 illustrated parts catalog it is f60, and the 6600lb suspension is c5s mine also has the #3.42 gear ratio #gu6 with the 4l60 trans #md8 hope this helps you and wanted to say these are great vans and love mine and would trade it for a newer van of today .. god bless and peace to you and yours DD

[@petescarport]

Awesome and thanks for the information. In need to look into that.

[@xavtl1867]

I have a g30 and its converted (popular) I need to replace the coil springs but dont know which ones to use. Could you help out?

[@patrick2676]

Also own a 95 G20 conversion van! Yes, our tires look a bit dry rotted.

[@JW-xo5zo]

I’m dealing with similar repairs on my nearly identical van (just a ‘90 Mark III conversion) - ride is not great, and pulls and everything too, so I was thinking sway bar + shocks + potentially replacing rear leaf springs but less certain about that. My 15” rims have some rust so hoping to find some in a junkyard and get some better tires on them. This was helpful!

[@petescarport]

Changing springs made a big difference but I still get random weird pulls. I also get some popping noises when backing a turning. I’m thinking it’s got to be control arms but I’m going to bring to a mechanic friend and have him put on lift before throwing any more money at it. Still an amazing van to take the dogs and family to parks. We just drive slow.

[@smoothoperator1663]

@@petescarport on my 95 g30 roadtrek i had to replace steering gear box with an AC delco brand now steers perfectly

[@petescarport]

@@smoothoperator1663 wow so funny you replied. I just got my van back and it’s driving perfect. Ended up being the idler and Pittman arm. They both go into steering box

[@rodneywheatley2763]

My 89 Sits a couple of inches lower and bounces a lot. It drives straight. I'm hoping the new springs and shocks will fix the problem.

[@jameslaiola4976]

I have noticed that. The Gabriels really seem to be better. It surprised me too. By any chance were your original shocks Blue?

[@21Piloteer]

I put Bilsteins on all four corners of my 93 G20. Rockauto has the rears or fronts (don't remember) and the other I got of Ebay. I also added a Hellwig front sway bar and an Addco rear swaybar. I just had all 4 tie rods changed out and an alignment...she tracks straight as an arrow now.

[@petescarport]

Thanks for update. Unfortunately when you try to order bilstein online they aren’t available. I tried every Auto parts store as well and they said that they can’t even get them. Usually it’ll let them order but they can’t even do a special order. Owning a business I’ve seen this with almost every supply I need.

[@jungleforeva]

What size tires do you have on there?

[@billybell6950]

Firestone replaced the rear leafs on my 93 like your's. Slightly better than before, nothing to say eureka over. Seriously cupping on passenger side front tire, they missed it altogether. I'm sure front shocks are in order next. Thanks 👍.

[@petescarport]

So far biggest improvement was pitman arm and idler arm. Night and day difference. Doesn’t pull or sway anymore. Nice and tight.

[@billybell6950]

@@petescarport thank you, appreciate the info 😊

[@uber2tuber]

@@petescarport So the new coils didn't make much difference? In my 91 Chevy G30 I've changed pitman and idler arms and steering box. It is a lot better, with only 2-3 inches of play now. But still a bit wiggly on the road... doesn't hold straight very well. Had it aligned as well. Any thoughts? A guy on one forum who has owned 3 of the G20s said replacing the shocks with the adjustable El Rancho shocks made all the difference in road holding for him. Thinking about trying that. Btw, your ceramic coating is beautiful! How much did that cost please? Thanks so much. :)

[@petescarport]

New coils just helped with bounce. I’ve been debating on new shocks but right she is driving nice with a little bit of pull that comes from no where sometimes. I wish I could keep one hand on the wheel but sometimes it just jerks

[@latamorewilliams6443]

Hello 👋 do you know how many oxygen sensors this van has? And locations? Thanks😇

[@Mr.boxxchevy]

Beautiful van, Im installing some cargo 8 lug van springs on my g2500 Vandura. Springs just came in the mail toda., Hopefully it helps with the cloud feel, it dips too much.

[@petescarport]

Thanks and good luck

[@jesp999]

which ones did you choose I am doing a g30 8 lug and interested in what springs people think are good for both better handling and smooth ride.

[@TheDemonMadeMe]

I'm defiantly in the market looking for a G20 van, they seem hard to find. Any tips on where to find them (dealer/craigslist) and what are some tips as to what to look out for when buying a G20 van... Thanks in advanced! Oh yeah what's a good price range?

[@petescarport]

So they are hard to find in good condition and unfortunately the market went crazy on them for excellent condition ones. I’ve seen several lower mileage ones sell for $15-20k. With that said there are tons out there that may need a little love but a lot of life left in them for about $3-9k. I found mine on offer up and made a low offer. Mine needed a brake booster so it made it tuff for the person to sell. I spent $80 and an hr of my time to have it running perfect. I also found a few with rust for around $3k but I try to stay away from rust. But I would look on offer up if I were you and anything under $5k should be a great deal.

[@margiesvanmori]

I found mine on Facebook marketplace for 5000. Its a 1988 Chevy Van but I had to road trip to pick it up. It took me a couple months to find but it was definitely worth it. I'm building mine out now to travel the world. Great luck on your find!

[@dangermoose9939]

hey so did it fix all the swaying on the road? I have a 98, and I can barely keep it between the lines.

[@petescarport]

Yes. I planned to do update. I ended up changing out the pitman arm and idler arm. This was main issue. Now steering is very stiff and direct and car doesn’t sway. I think the sway bushings made a difference as well. The new springs helped a lot with bounce

[@dangermoose9939]

@@petescarport thanks for the info!

[@patrick2676]

Wow 😲.

[@firepwr21]

You should’ve taken the tire off ......it would have been a lot easier....... good job, you gotta maintain your vehicles for sure...

[@jesp999]

did you get the heavy duty moog or the stand duty moog?

[@petescarport]

Man it’s been a while and I can’t recall. I know when I did this parts were difficult to get due to Covid restrictions. But I do feel like I went with heavy duty

[@jesp999]

@@petescarportyour video is super helpful and actually after just now reviewing it again I was able to pause on a shot of the box and see the part number for the coils and find it in Moog website. So you got the moog non-heavy duty ones for the g20. For the G20 they list two choice non-heavy duty and heavy duty. The heavy duty for the G20 is cis the same part number (same spring) as the non-heavy duty for the g30. You probably cannot help with my questions but writing it out anyway since anyone publicly I think can comment if they have any experience. What I am doing is I'm researching now is what springs to get for a 95 chevy g30 roadtrek conversion which is a very heavy vehicle because of water tanks. On Moogs website they list three types for the g30. non-heavy duty, heavy duty and severe heavy duty but unlike other sellers they do not list the spring rating in pounds or give any figures on the exact specs of the springs. I am trying to get feedback from people on the ride difference between them and trying to get more detailed specs to compare with other brand names. Maybe the all come from the same factory anyway and are the same no matter where or what brand I buy. Researching all the specs on other brand heavy duty springs there are some rated at 3289lb per coil rating, one at 3789lb Per Coil Rating, and a real monster one at 7200 lb per coil rating. I want less wind sway and I am adding new rear leaf springs and rear airbags and stabilizer bars. Over the 30 years this g30 has sagged and it is 4 or 5 inches lower than it should be all around. I do love its smooth ride so wondering what brands and duty level other people got.

[@patrick2676]

For sale Chevy G20 $2500. Runs great. Needs rear drums turned or likely replaced. Burgundy, with very minimal rust beginning.

[@bsimpo18]

Any pics

[@hildebertocarreiro9232]

Try double shock s cause of the weight. Try wider wheels and tires too.

[@petescarport]

When you say double shocks do you mean shocks with double weight capacity or two sets of shocks?

[@hildebertocarreiro9232]

@@petescarport 2 sets of shock

[@W126]

Tolle Felgen

[@globxl5370]

Put spacers on 😏

[@jimmywarledo4930]

Get a new steering gear box

[@petescarport]

Nope. I changed the pitman arm and idle arm and it’s like brand new. Planning to make a video.

[@davidgentz1731]

Hey how come you just didn't take the tire off and have been a lot easier I change them out all the time we always pull the tire

[@davidgentz1731]

I've had chevy Vans for 50 years. Take the tires off when doing front end work. U work way to hard

[@davidgentz1731]

You need

[@davidgentz1731]

You should have put airbags in a way I had them out and then you'd have fixed all your problems than their bags work perfect and it's only a hundred