Why are 85's so tall up front?

[Rhinoculips]

[Hallvalla]

Here's mine (with before and after pics):

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=362996&highlight=bilsteins
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85 Westy
Subaru EJ22

[connorsvw2]

Does anyone have a picture of an 85 2WD with rear syncro springs installed? What sort of ride height resulted? Do rear syncro shocks need to be installed as well to permit spring install?

TIA.

[idahoskier]

Heres mine w/ springs from an 86 syncro. Bilstein HDs for 2wd installed. Ride height is 18.25" front and 19" rear. Spring compressors will help you to install the new springs, the old ones will pop out no problem without them. IIRC my rear used to sit at 16.5". More info on pg 45 of the wheel sticky.

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85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold

[connorsvw2]

That's exactly what I needed-many thanks! Looks like the Syncro springs will work to lift up the rear to match the tall fronts. I will take some measurements at home tonight to see where this will play out on my van-I like this solution better than spring spacers.

As an aside, why are you running the balljoint spacers? My 85 seems to align fine without them, but I then again I just overhauled the entire front end.

[idahoskier]

When I got the van the old tires were wearing poorly. The guy I use for alignment said he could only get it to borderline spec, so I added the balljoint spacers and no problems. If I ever have the time Id love to try Loogys home alignment and see for myself. FYI the Bilstein HDs may also raise your ride height a small amount.
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85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold

[connorsvw2]

Looks like I won't be getting the rear springs locally after all. Anyone have some syncro rears they would be willing to sell?

[connorsvw2]

Had another question-with Syncro rear springs on a 2WD Westy, will I need to use Syncro rear shocks too? Seems like the stock 2WD shocks would be too short...

[shorepig]

Instead of spending mucho coin on new syncro springs, how about just using some spring spacers to jack up the back. I used these on my 85' and they worked great.

Keep in mind if you are increasing the rar ride height you are also increasing the angles of your CV joints, which means more wear on the joints.
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85 Westy
92 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 4x4 V6
74 Honda CB500T cafe racer
2013 ktm 690r
Sector nine pintail

[r39o]

[connorsvw2]

Thanks for the info.

I was able to buy used rear syncro springs for a decent price, and I like the idea of having full spring travel rather than shims to increase spring preload (like my MTB coil shocks).

Good tip about increased CV angles. Mine only have 200k miles on them

I'll try loading them up with the 2WD rear KYBs first to see if it will work. I'm looking for any excuse to toss them in the trash as-is and go Koni, but need to know if I need 2WD or Syncro rears before I buy...

[240Gordy]

[connorsvw2]

Perhaps preload is not the proper term here unless the shock prevents movement of the rear trailing arm with a now-taller spring. Hopefully it does and raises up the rear of the van.

However, if I boost up the rear with non-compressible shim material, the thickness if the shim is not available for compression despite the now overall taller spring. I will have the same amount of overall travel as I had before. If I install a taller spring then I potentially benefit from the greater travel, assuming spring rates are the same. My main goal is to equal out the ends of the van and lift my Subie oil pan and loaded 4 bike rack up and out of harms way off-road, rather than lower the front to match the rear. Hopefully the Syncro springs are both taller and have a better spring rate than my current rears. If not, I wasted $75 for 2 rear springs and I get to post them on the Samba...

[Crankey]

I have carat springs and my nose is low by a little bit.

I'd like to know why Ben thinks '85 is best ? pride ? or is there something you know from taking lots of them apart ? my doka is an 85.

[r39o]

Late 85 and on are all basically the same except colors. The 1.9 is weak but long lasting vs the somewhat more powerful and self destruction prone 2.1. I got an 85 because that what was available at the time. Seems OK enough, especially going to the Suby. You have all what you need with out the costly appeal of the later models. I am used to my tan interior.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[connorsvw2]

Finally getting around to try installing syncro rear springs in my 85 Vanagon Wolfsburg edition, in an effort to level out the ride with my heavier Subaru engine back there.

I **think** that from previous postings people are running standard 2WD rear shocks in combination with the Syncro springs, no? I've got crummy KYBs back there now, and if this does not work I'll probably pop for Konis but I'd like to be sure I order the proper shocks (2WD vs Syncro).

Thanks in advance.

[connorsvw2]

Just installed the Syncro rear springs this weekend. Definitely needed a spring compressor, but it was a tight fit even with a Macpherson strut-style compressor from Autozone.

Funny to see it sitting rear-high/nose down after looking at it nose-up for the past 17 years. My Subaru pan now has lots of ground clearance! Even with my full weight on the rear bike rack it hardly settles at all; springs were from a non-Westy syncro-must have a heck of a spring rate, and were noticeably thicker than the springs I pulled out.

The rear shocks seem fully extended and have poor rebound control over bumps (they did before the change out as well)-KYB 2WD shocks. Guess I better look at something else for the rear. Any reason I cannot install Syncro rear shocks?

[danfromsyr]

Syncro rear shocks will be longer and you will need to watch your CV joint angles closely.
you can upgrade yoru CVs to VW 411/412 VW Thing or Porsche 944 CVs for improved angle allowances.
you could run a rear suspension limit strap to help in not autodestructing yoru CV joints.
it's not as much an issue on level straight line driving. but any off kilter or fast turns will make them clack... and not for very long.
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[connorsvw2]

I think I'm going to pull them back off. I'm not really digging the nose down look any more than the previous nose-up look, and I'm not sure I can even get my canoe up there now. Measured from wheelhousing lip, front is 17" and rears now 18.5". Guess I'll list the spings in classifieds and try the cutting board spacer approach-seems cheap and easily reversible.

[connorsvw2]

Pulled out the Syncro rear springs and installed 3 spacers made of the poly cutting board, total thickness is 1", each side. I'm now much better balanced, about 18" front and rear. Combined with my new 15" wheels the van looks level and much better overall, never mind with better looking driveshaft angles.