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Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:15 pm

Just curious I had my rear end jacked up today and played around with some different heights and liked the looks of 18" alot. from fender lip to sender of the hub.

Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:26 pm

syncro- no problem. My doka is 19 1/2 and my van is taller. A 2wd- dunno.

Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:28 pm

I figured it was doable on a 4wd. And im not sure if this makes a difference for the cv's or not but my engine and tranny ride an 1" 1/2 lower than stock.

Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:13 pm

VC 2wd springs claim a 1/2"- 1" lift http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_837_772/2wd_coil_lift_spring.html
GoWesty springs claim a 1 1/2" lift http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4202&category_id=91&category_parent_id=
The effective lift depends on how good your springs are now compared to stock height. The cv's and rear axles are the same for 2wd or syncro. What height are you riding at now?

Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:14 pm

about 15 3/4" they are carat springs and I believe they are worn out at that.

Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:35 pm

I am sitting at about 18-18 1/4" on a 2wd westy with GoWesty springs. I installed mine before GoWesty came out with the spacers for the front a-arms. They work without the spacers but the springs on occassion rub against the a-arm. I am thinking their new spacer will solve that issue.

I am really happy with the ride height.

Steve

Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:52 am

I didn't realize there's would raise it that much. Are they a pretty heavy duty spring?

Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:20 am

I'm sitting right at 18 inches front and rear with stock 85 Westy front springs, and a some home made spacers in the back to compensate for butt sag. I used two spacers cut from 1/2 inch thick plastic cutting boards for the driver's side, and one of the same for the passenger side. Wheel center to fender lip is 18 inches exactly all the way around.

One caution, at 18 inches my 2wd is at the maximum adjustment for one of the front end alignment specs, I think it was caster. The tech said that, technically, I was microscopically "out of spec" and he didn't have any adjustment left, but it was so tiny I would see no tire wear or steering issues. If my van's ride height were any higher, I would have to go with one of the GoWesty modded items, I think it's the upper ball joint mount.

Also, some people have reported issues with shocks topping out at this ride height. I have KYBs and while I can't recommend them highly on other points, they don't seem to be running out of extension.

Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:59 am

allsierra123 wrote: I didn't realize there's would raise it that much. Are they a pretty heavy duty spring?

GW springs are good quality, made by H&R & cold wound. they sell them including the upper ball joint spacer now i believe. I posted elsewhere about my koni's not being long enough so having to go Bilstien. I didn't think they would be as great ass they are, really nice ride with this combo. It'd be a great option for you with the biggest tire you could possibly fit to bring down the RPM on that new diesel. (i run 225/65/17's btw)

I have found tho that the rears have settled 1/3-1/2" lower than the fronts over the 1st 6 months. even whit me in the front seat tho.

Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:28 am

I tried the chevy s-10 2 inch lowering springs this week end. (not moog) The wire dia of the carat springs is .69 dia and the chevy is .72 dia. The ride height with the Carat was 16, the ride with the chevy was 15.8 and a little stiffer than vw springs.

Maybe stock s-10 springs stock height would get you to 18.00 or 17.8?? But then you would need a little longer shock?

jcl

Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:58 am

hiram6 wrote: I'm sitting right at 18 inches front and rear with stock 85 Westy front springs, and a some home made spacers in the back to compensate for butt sag. I used two spacers cut from 1/2 inch thick plastic cutting boards for the driver's side, and one of the same for the passenger side. Wheel center to fender lip is 18 inches exactly all the way around.

One caution, at 18 inches my 2wd is at the maximum adjustment for one of the front end alignment specs, I think it was caster. The tech said that, technically, I was microscopically "out of spec" and he didn't have any adjustment left, but it was so tiny I would see no tire wear or steering issues. If my van's ride height were any higher, I would have to go with one of the GoWesty modded items, I think it's the upper ball joint mount.

Also, some people have reported issues with shocks topping out at this ride height. I have KYBs and while I can't recommend them highly on other points, they don't seem to be running out of extension.

The above is pretty much my experience too. I have a set of the spacers to put in (from Burley, at a much higher cost - GoWesty is a third of the price for the exact same thing.)

I am sitting at 18.5 inches all the way around. My saggy butt is pushed up by Monroe SensaTracs with helper springs and Syncro.org lift springs.

My front ride is OK, but the bouncy with the KYBs. I think they may be worn out or I need Konis. I am going to put the Konis in later.

So the answer to the poster is: YES 18 inches can be done in a 2WD.

Mon Jun 08, 2009 10:53 pm

Quote: I didn't realize there's would raise it that much. Are they a pretty heavy duty spring?

I was pleased with getting up to 18+ inches. They don't feel "Heavy Duty" or stiff to me and I run them with Bilsteins on all corners. They do feel firmer than my stock springs but that just may be the shocks. I switched everything at the same time.

My best upgrade is still the Propex heater followed by the springs & shocks.

Steve