TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Apr 22, 2010 5:56 pm

Okay, here are my pics. Already had put the CLK wheels on there a few weeks back, so installing the Carat springs was the finishing touch to de-Monster Trucking my Vanagon. My old set-up was this

Tall 85 Springs paired with 15 inch alloys rolling 215/75-15 BFGs

So here are the front Carat springs sitting next to the 85 springs I just pulled off the van.

Here's the van with front Carats and rear tall 85 springs. Got the 70s muscle car rake to it.

And here we go all Carat'ed.

Haven't really had a chance to drive it with the new set-up, I need to head to the alignment shop first thing in the morning.

Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:12 pm

Hey Hiram, that looks RIGHT! Can you pull a measurement from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender well?

Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:43 pm

That is what I am talking about. I am looking to do the same thing once I find a set of CLK wheels.

Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:09 pm

bigsteveob wrote: Hey Hiram, that looks RIGHT! Can you pull a measurement from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender well?

First thing I did. Old set-up wheel center to fender lip was 17.25 all the way around. With carat springs I've 15 inches up front, 15.5 in the back.

The van is noticeably lower, even at a casual glance. I no longer have to make a "jump" up into the driver's seat, it's now just a little "hop"

These springs, along with the CLKs and 16 inch 60 series (correctly rated) tires should transform the van's ride. Couple that with last weekend's complete front brake overhaul with new pads, rotors, lines, and calipers, and then add in the rear disc conversion I did about a month ago, and I've pretty drastically changed the driving experience.

When the crate Zetec that is sitting in my garage goes in, it will be even better.

And, yes, new Koni's are on order for the front, and I'm going with the Gabriel air shocks in the back.

Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:12 pm

Don't forget to NOT jump into the driver seat. Thats a headache waiting....

Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:31 pm

YES... it looks right to me too..

the Carat always has a the look that the rear is bit higher than the front, empty of course...

Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:14 pm

lookin' good!

Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:33 pm

I am running H & R red (purple) with Koni shocks, Adeco sway bars, and soon to be installed Burley upper front A arms for lowered busses.

Still has a slight wedge to the stance which I like. Rides like a big square go cart !

Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:16 pm

i have a 86 4sp vanagon, i know that putting carat springs on a westy lowers it, but which spring from a recent vanagon are applicable to mine? im looking to lower it an inch or maybe even 2.
and ofcourse the shocks come into play.

Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:27 pm

Matt Gesus wrote: i have a 86 4sp vanagon, i know that putting carat springs on a westy lowers it, but which spring from a recent vanagon are applicable to mine? im looking to lower it an inch or maybe even 2.
and ofcourse the shocks come into play.

just get some carat springs and cut the front bump stops.

Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:19 am

niice.
sounds fun to me.
thanks man.

Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:28 pm

Great info here.

I just purchased a 1991 Westfalia and I have to make it fit in my garage.

The magic number I am hoping to get to is 79 inch, that's the lowest point when the door is open.
I think a 1991 Westfalia is at 80.9 inch (can someone confirm that?)

If anyone has a set of lowering spring for sale let me know!

Thanks

Christian

Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:10 pm

SyncroChrick wrote: Great info here.

I just purchased a 1991 Westfalia and I have to make it fit in my garage.

The magic number I am hoping to get to is 79 inch, that's the lowest point when the door is open.
I think a 1991 Westfalia is at 80.9 inch (can someone confirm that?)

If anyone has a set of lowering spring for sale let me know!

Thanks

Christian

this is an ideal situation for airbags. you can dump the air to drive into your garage. probably cheaper to mod your garage though.

Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:19 pm

240Gordy wrote: =

this is an ideal situation for airbags. you can dump the air to drive into your garage. probably cheaper to mod your garage though.

I have never seen a Vanagon with airbag? Yes but this house is a rental, I am not sure the owner would appreciate...

:)

Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:26 am

that might fit?

Tue May 11, 2010 9:33 pm

Great options for bringing the height down on the taller Vanagons. Having up until this past weekend owned an 89 Carat, I was a bit spoiled by the height of the Vanagon.

Now I have an 86 Wolfsburg which is taller, in addition to having the Westy top. I'm about an inch too tall to fit into the garage.

I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for Loogy's spring combo and/or a set of Carat springs.

Hiram...side question... Did you have to mod the center caps on the CLK's to get them to fit? I have a set waiting in the wings and when I test fit them the center caps didn't clear the spindle/cap on the fronts.

Thu May 13, 2010 5:24 am

To drive on air is the best solution.
You choose your height self.

Regards Patrik
www.vw-tristar.com

Thu May 13, 2010 5:57 am

hatchb4ck wrote:

Hiram...side question... Did you have to mod the center caps on the CLK's to get them to fit? I have a set waiting in the wings and when I test fit them the center caps didn't clear the spindle/cap on the fronts.

I'm running a 5mm spacer in the rear, and a 8mm spacer in the front. With those spacers, and cutting down the front greasecaps a bit, they "kinda" fit. The fronts Mercedes center caps don't quite (like 1mm short) seat all the way.

They are staying put so far!!

Thu May 13, 2010 9:26 am

beautiful truck there Patrik!

how is the ride?

Thu May 13, 2010 12:41 pm

240Gordy wrote: beautiful truck there Patrik!

how is the ride?

It like to drive on cloud.

Now is a TriStar is very quiet from beginning.
But this is very comfortable to drive.
Better than we expected.

Regards Patrik

www.vw-tristar.com