TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:17 pm

I'm game! Would like to meet some locals. But sorry, I have a stock suspension syncro with 16" wheels - my wife reminds me every time we hit a bump :cry: Now I just need to fix that noisy CV in time :cry: I'll probably bring my kid - she loves these vans.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:09 pm

I'm intrigued...especially since lowering my van would help me get it in the garage.

Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:49 pm

Jon piqued my interest in seeing how suspension solutions have evolved in the past 6-7 years (since installing my OME/Syncro.org combo).

I'll be there along with a Syncro-savvy friend from Iceland and a Porsche-owning cousin who's thinking about stepping up to a syncro :-)

Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:00 pm

BUMP.

Looks like we'll have a good crowd.

Weather is unknown... at this point.
But unless its blowing 50 with freezing rain... we're ON.

No reservations made at this point.
I am not thinking we will need them.

cheers,
jim

Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:10 pm

My wife and I will be there, the van is mid TF, Green propex, and LED light install, but whatever, it runs, we'll bring it! :lol:

Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:37 pm

Sorry to say that I cannot make it after all. And it's not because Spring Training!

In order to stay certified as an international water polo referee, I have to go to SoCal for training and recertification this weekend. The good news, of course, is that I'm planning to drive the Westy.

Have to go down I-5 on the way (stopping off to see our collegiate daughter). But am planning to return via 101 as the training site is in Thousand Oaks.

Hope everyone has a great time!

Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:46 pm

I can't wait for my ride in a 2.2 Suby and hopefully a lowered Van too!

Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:28 pm

Bring the umbrellas

Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:55 am

Do we have a head count?

Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:30 am

kuleinc wrote: Do we have a head count?
Lets start one..

j_dirge
madspaniard
presslab
juanb
kuleinc
brab
jaraqui
momoautumn
Fhak915
tangojeff

Please quote this post and add yourself.. or delete yourself depending upon your plans. And edit out the chit chat. heh..

Weather is uncertain.. but currently looks like rain *maybe* later in the day.

I'd not worry about it.. and will be there, regardless.
We waited for 2 days for the last cold front NOAA predicted to finally arrive. Looking at a bare dirt ski school area was depressing :cry:

Of course when it finally began dumping last Saturday.. the tears of sadness became tears of HELLS YEAH!

As noted before.. I'll bring my BBQ, some links, and snackies to share...
We'll just grab any nearby table not marked "reserved"

BTW.. The bargain barn Monroe Air Shocks preformed admirably last weekend and thus far appear to be too good to be true.
Aired down to 20psi, they seemed to improve snow handling over the much more firm Monroe coil overs. Or maybe I am just thinking wishfully. :wink:

Am having crazy notions of coil-over airshocks with properly matched rate springs in the rear.. Hmmm. Burley?

Maybe in the front, too? $1400 all up for the shocks... :shock:
Less than the 16" flare set I am lusting after, though.. :lol:

Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:44 am

We braved an 8 hour drive to go snowboarding last weekend, good times! A little rain won't hurt us, we'll be there, I'll likely bring some food so I can cook in my van if it starts pooring... Probably pasta...

Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:30 am

j_dirge wrote: kuleinc wrote: Do we have a head count?
Lets start one..

j_dirge
madspaniard
jonslider
presslab
juanb
kuleinc
brab
jaraqui
momoautumn
Fhak915
tangojeff

I'd like to come too but need to limit my rain exposure due to rust. So, a maybe if there's a break in the weather. Also will invite a local mechanic and possibly budding vanagon enthusiast from Autopoint Motors.

I have a pair of uninstalled trailmaster shocks imported from syncro-services. Otherwise I'm a stock syncro 16".

Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:04 am

If this doesn't happen due to rain the PNW crowd will never let you live it down. :P

Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:52 am

Looking forward to it, rain or shine. We put Fhak915's suspension together last weekend, it turned out good! G60 brakes, Audi alloys, 5660, Konis.

Anyone have a good stock rear drum they'd like to sell?

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:00 am

presslab wrote: Looking forward to it, rain or shine. We put Fhak915's suspension together last weekend, it turned out good! G60 brakes, Audi alloys, 5660, Konis.

Anyone have a good stock rear drum they'd like to sell?

Ryan, I can bring my old drums, don't bring money, we'll figure out a way to settle it :lol:

I think I will only have my rear Konis in, no time for the fronts to be installed, kind of want people to test drive my Westy with my front Bilstein and syncro.org springs to nail down my diagnosis for deep nose diving..

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:21 am

I will be there, as I said. I might even bring my mechanic, he drives an 84 CHC.

I have a couple of things someone might be interested in:

- Original Heidelberg cassete radio. Cassette player doesn't work, but the radio does. I know the code.

- Square grill + lights. Driver side aiming screw is shot but it looks like an easy fix. Grill is whole but looks like it was resurfaced at some point--not bad at all, but it definitely doesn't look new. Light brackets show a bit of rust (!). If nobody takes this I might saw the inner side of the brackets off so I can install them in order to have more points for the round grill to mount to.

- Fiberglass late style bumpers - on the rear, the middle section is cracked, passenger side cracked too, driver side section in good shape. The front bumper is in great shape, but I installed GW bumpers so I don't need it. Free but you must take both :)

Let me know if you want any of this. Unless someone does, I'm not bringing the lights and bumpers, too much space in the van. Also, if you call it, you take it, I'm not taking those back :)

I need a few of those clips that go on the light bracket for the grill to mount to. If someone has a few extras, I will be grateful. Might hit the pick and pull just before to see if I find a few.

Looking forward to seeing you guys there!

j

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:25 am

madspaniard wrote: I think I will only have my rear Konis in, no time for the fronts to be installed, kind of want people to test drive my Westy with my front Bilstein and syncro.org springs to nail down my diagnosis for deep nose diving..

No doubt.. then they ought to compare to my s.org springs and Bilstiens.
Since mine have minimal dive and yet more stopping with G-60s..

You gotta experience the difference between these two vans with near identical front ends to appreciate it!
(I can just see freakin' Terry Kay's head exploding! :lol: )
I think tires are the only difference... although that difference is considerable.

But thats the reason to get together.. To have a serious look at our vans side by side..

Also.
Just to be clear.
It looks like Jon Slider may not make it.. other commitments.
So if you are banking on checking out his ride.. The Fox shocks and newer GW springs.. Prolly not this time.
Well.. we're all kinda bummed.
May have to join up one of the Santa Cruz treks to see him, I guess. :cry:

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:30 am

j_dirge wrote:

No doubt.. then they ought to compare to my s.org springs and Bilstiens.
Since mine have minimal dive and yet more stopping with G-60s..

You gotta experience the difference between these two vans with near identical front ends to appreciate it!

I think tires are the only difference... although that difference is considerable.

and I have rear disk brakes, those two are the only differences impacting the front end dive of my van versus yours.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:31 am

madspaniard wrote: I think I will only have my rear Konis in, no time for the fronts to be installed, ..
Lets install 'em in the lot. :D

I can bring some tools and a floor jack.. easy.
Would be REALLY cool to have a before and after.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:34 am

madspaniard wrote: j_dirge wrote:
I think tires are the only difference... although that difference is considerable.

and I have rear disk brakes, those two are the only differences impacting the front end dive of my van versus yours.
True.. but wouldn't the rear disks, in theory REDUCE front end dive? Since they ought to be doing a little more work than my stock drums?

Of course.. the likely story is that the springs are likely two different recipes on two different manufacturing runs.

Too bad there's no published spring rates on them. (hint, hint...)