TheSamba.com :: View topic - 2wd Lift Springs/ Lifting your van in general

Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:14 pm

Go Westy Springs - $450 + shipping
Ryan's solution with Chebby S-10 springs and Air-Lifts - $163 including shipping.

That sounds like a "blue-light special" to me! K-mart prices.

Scott Foss asked for pics:

Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:43 pm

I'm very curious about the airbags or airlift approach to the rear suspension. Can someone explain or point me to that set up?

Thanks,
R

Sat Jul 24, 2010 6:58 am

Perpel wrote: I'm very curious about the airbags or airlift approach to the rear suspension. Can someone explain or point me to that set up?

Thanks,
R

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=376762&start=80

Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:12 am

or like this, have it your way!

Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:11 am

This seems like the right thread for this question. I want to do lift springs on my 83.5 Westy and was playing around with jacks trying to get a feel for how it might look at increased height and how much more difficult to climb in and out of. I was shooting for about 18" ride height (center of hub to fender) and I decided to see how high I could go before I maxed out the suspension travel. I get 19.5" at the rear and 18.5" at the front. Seems like trouble to me. What limits the extension of the suspension? Is it max shock length?

Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:34 pm

In the rear, the shocks are the limiter. Getting longer shocks will keep you from bottoming them out, but, and this is a big but, you have to be careful of your CV joint angles. Too much angle and you will get vibration and early failure. In the front, again the shocks are the limiter, but you may start running into problems with all of the components binding up at extreme droop angles, like the sway bar links. Also, your alignment will be crap unless you install upper ball joint spacers or new upper A-Arms to correct the problem like Burley Motorsports offers. At 18", you probably don't need to worry about anything though, as many have done this with acceptable results. Stock '85's roll with this height all day long.

Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:54 pm

I'm at 17" in the front and I wouldn't want it any higher. My camber adjuster is already maxed out on one side. The ball joint spacer helps with this a bit. My Koni shocks top out when I'm really pushing it.

Fri May 27, 2011 7:31 am

mathieux46 wrote: Hi,

Just an update on my '87 2wd, I finally found time to install the koni shock in the front with the Moog 5660 springs. It made a great difference, the napa shock could not hold them on rebound. The koni are at 0.75. The ride is perfect now. You have to get the combo with the koni to really enjoy the set up, otherwise it felt out of control on rebound.

Maybe a little late to jump in this thread... Mat, I also live in QC. Where did you get the Moog 5660 and the Koni shocks?

And on the rear, did you just leave the original springs, or did you get new, stock height springs?

Last year I converted my Multivan to a full camper, and the van is now leaning terribly to the left, and your setup seems like a good option.

Sat May 28, 2011 9:49 am

Hi Afmercure,

For the rear I have stock spring, cutting board spacers ( 1''), air lift ballons and stock shock.

For the Moog 5660 I just went to a Napa and asked for '93 Chevrolet S-10 4.3L 4x4 front spring and the guy confirmed they where moog 5660, around 100$ but I can't remember exactly.

For the Koni I bought them on internet from the USA. I coundn't find them in Canada.

I just bought all the part to convert my van to syncro so all my 2wd front lifting component will be for sale this fall, just PMail me if you are interested.

Thanks

Mat

Tue May 31, 2011 7:55 pm

mathieux46 wrote: Hi Afmercure,

I just bought all the part to convert my van to syncro so all my 2wd front lifting component will be for sale this fall, just PMail me if you are interested.
t

Thanks for the info, Mat. And thanks for the offer. I would have been interested, but this fall will be just a little too late for me, as I need to do something with my suspension before the summer trips.

Fri Mar 02, 2012 1:57 pm

Thread reserection...

Maybe it has already been posted, but I couldnt find it...

Has anybody installed stock syncro springs on the rear of a westy? I know the fronts are a different animal all together, but the rears are the same. I know the stock sycro sits higher than a 2wd. Wonder what it would come out to measurement wise....anybody?

Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:31 pm

I use stock syncro springs in my T3 ('82 camper) rear. In the front I use Australian ZA? Falcon springs to bring it up to the same height. This mod has been done for about 5 years with the best part of 100,000km driven. Stock CV joints appear to be lasting OK. My only issue has been the CV joint boots. They tear every so often. I have tried a mod recommended on the AusieVeeDubbers site:

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=85212&page=1#pid850666

but the aftermarket boots failed. One old farmer living where I live has suggested leather mounted as per the idea shown in the above thread. I plan to try it when the current boots tear again.

The main issue is that the gearbox sits higher than in the syncro. If anyone has found the solution they may wish to comment.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:29 am

getting ready to lift my '82 tin top. seems like most of you guys are installing these springs on westys or other heavy vans. I'm just wondering how these 5660s would lift the lighter air cooled tin top...

Measuring my ride height gave me 16 1/2" in the rear and about 15 3/4" in the front.

I don't really see the need to get the full lift kit for my van as I'm not a hard core off roader anymore, but would like some extra clearance for some of the spots we go on camping trips.

You guys reckon I should go for a softer spring than the 5660?

Thanks for all the info too by the way. Sure gives me lots to consider!

Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:37 am

conchyjoe wrote: You guys reckon I should go for a softer spring than the 5660?

Others have used 5660s on their tin top:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=498242#5836545

But maybe that's higher/stiffer than you want. It's possible "buildyourown" will sell you his 5658s so he can get the 5660s. :D

The Vanagon Westfalia 2WD's curb weight is 3,960, which is 7.9% heavier than the tin top's 3670 lbs. The 5660 is 10% stiffer than the 5658. So maybe the 5658 will work best for you.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:48 am

presslab wrote: But maybe that's higher/stiffer than you want. It's possible "buildyourown" will sell you his 5658s so he can get the 5660s. :D

That's funny. I almost posted an offer for sale but figured shipping would be a deal breaker. Yes, I have the 5658 and would like to move up to the 5660. I just can't decide if I should do that or go for the GW 2wd springs. On my fully loaded camper, the 5658 dive more than I would like under braking and I would like another .5-.75" of lift.
If you want them, PM me and we can work it out.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:52 am

thanks for posting the link to that other thread. For some reason it didn't come up in my searching...

I'm guessing the 5660s are best then since if I add spacers to the rear it will already be close to 18" and I'd like it to be level all around. I don't mind a stiff ride since the paved roads to our camping spots are pretty windy anyway and a little curvy driving is always fun too!

thanks again, will add my results to the findings for posterity :wink:

Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:53 am

thanks for posting the link to that other thread. For some reason it didn't come up in my searching...

I'm guessing the 5660s are best then since if I add spacers to the rear it will already be close to 18" and I'd like it to be level all around. I don't mind a stiff ride since the paved roads to our camping spots are pretty windy anyway and a little curvy driving is always fun too!

thanks again, will add my results to the findings for posterity :wink:

Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:20 pm

buildyourown wrote: I just can't decide if I should do that or go for the GW 2wd springs.

Maybe you can coax the spring rate out of GW, so we all can make an educated decision. It's possible they aren't any stiffer than what you have now.

Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:25 pm

conchyjoe wrote: I don't mind a stiff ride since the paved roads to our camping spots are pretty windy anyway and a little curvy driving is always fun too!

I wouldn't call the 5660s stiff on my tintop, they are firm but not harsh at all. Paired with the Bilstein HDs they work well. Come to Syncrofest and you're welcome to drive mine before you make your decision.

What I would like to see is how the Syncro tintop rear springs would pair up with the 5660s. My stock Carat rear springs with 2" worth of spacers are not as firm as the front. With the newly added weight of the spare tire carrier it has become more noticeable in the twisties. :shock: Before adding the tire carrier I thought it handled decent.

Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:10 am

Lift completed yesterday