Ground Clearance
 

I have a Voyager 2.8CRD Executive. This is my second diesel model after 2 previous 3.3 petrol versions. Does anyone agree that the ground clearance under the engine undertray is worse on the diesels? I have damaged it a number of times on speed humps and uneven roads. It almost feels as if Chrysler failed to uprate the front struts when they fitted the heavier diesel power unit.

This is my first post to what seems a very informative forum. Greetings from the UK.

I've never owned a 3.3 so can't compare the two models, but the undertray of my 2.8 CRD has a piece missing and has abrasions where it has grounded in the past.

Mine only grounds on coming off a down ramp in a multi story car park.....even then only if i'm going a bit fast.

Does the 3.3 even have an undertray? That would certianly explain the difference in clearance.

I've had 3 diesel voyagers, a 2000 (2500cc) a 2002 (2500cc) and a 2005 (2800cc).

I never noticed the 2000/2002 grounding the undertray. The 2005 most certainly does. Slow right down for normal speed bumps ( I guess thats what they are for! But I need to slow noticably more than in other cars). When you ground it the noise is very loud, I must have done it many times, but the damage to the undertay is minimal, just scrape marks.

I don't know how much heavier the 2.8 is over the 2.5 diesel?

Longshot .. .. that the 2.8 CRD has 'stow 'n go' and a whole different underfloor profile ?

No, mine has normal seating, not 'Stow and Go'. It's the underneath of the engine which is grounding, not the underneath of the passsenger section.

Yes, I agree. I have the same model and experience the same problem. Not sure what can be done about this though?

Is it possible or feasible to fit uprated or longer springs to the front struts?

SPACCER car lift kit / suspension lifting kits - lift your Chrysler Grand Voyager V

Prices / costs for vehicle lifting kit - SPACCER

Thats an expensive starter for 10.

Perhaps something like this to stop the front compressing as much when going over the speed hump/uneven ground?

I do believe that the 2.5 and 2.8CRD'S have basically the same block and head. The difference, like many cars of old, is in the stroke. Slight difference in bore size could also be achieved in the block/liners. Must check this out.

2.5crd bore 92.0 x 94.0mm.
2.8crd bore 94.0 x 100.0mm.
So probably same block casting, longer stroke rods, longer stroke crank, but different machining sizes.