Syncro - to lift or not to lift, that is the question.

Jahbah · Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 2:59 pm Post subject:

No yeah j-slider thanks for you patience. Weekender and camper are two different deals. I am tipping the scales loaded for a weekend at 5200 like your talking about with a little more junk in the trunk than in the front. I sit well balanced side to side @ 18 3/8" in the back and 18 5/8" in the front. I'm currently air assisted by shocks pumped to 90lbs. I have too much weight in the back due to a swing away tire carrier, weekender cabinets and Suby 2.5.
Any hoo. Does anyone run those syncro.org springs? Is all this talk of over loading the progressive shocks b/s?
_________________
'87 Westfalia Weekender + '86 Syncro Tintop +'02 Impreza 2.5RS
= '86.5 SuperWestySyncroSubyWeekendermobileagon =
Bueno.
Jahbah~D

Phishman068 · Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 3:08 pm Post subject:

Weekender=Westfalia.

If you want to split hairs and tell me that your full camper is 100% different because the cabinets and what not weight sooooooo much, that's a different story.
It partially shows that you've never taken them out and weighted them (They're about as heavy as one fat friend), and partially shows objective dominance of "having the heavier bus".

In the end, my tin top can and in most cases does weight just as much as your "full westfalia", so why does that matter?
Lets just talk weight, and if you want to use the term "weekender" and "westfalia" to describe weight, fine. But please don't get harsh about the differences, as in reality they don't exist.
Heck I don't know what you Weight, but it's very possible that there are members on this list that travel with their spouses (who very possibly are also...) that are large enough to compensate for that weight difference entirely.
This is America after all....

In the end, it's all good.
Lift it. You'll dig it. : )
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

Jon_slider · Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 10:03 pm Post subject:

> Is all this talk of over loading the progressive shocks b/s?

I have never heard that talk. Got a link?

I can tell you that with the new info that your Weekender is loaded to weigh 5200 pounds, I think you could see some of the GW +2 progressive coils touching in the rear, as they do with my Syncro.

Since neither GW nor .org will tell you their spring rate, you have to guess which one will give you less increase in ride height. My guess is that GW springs are more likely to raise you past 19.5 than .org, but I have not tried current .org

Another factor is actual axle weight, my rear axle carries 400 pounds more than the front one. If your rear axle does not carry 2800 pounds, your progressive coils might not touch. I think my skid plate and tdi motor could be a source of significant weight difference between our rear axles.

Like you I have a rear tire carrier, and though my 245x75x16 tire is probably heavier than yours by less than 25 pounds, I believe my Tdi is several hundred pounds heavier than your Subaru, and I think my skid plate probably is 50+ pounds heavier than yours too.

lloydy possibly has the best spring option for our 5200lb vans..
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

lloydy · Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 1:51 am Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 12:05 am Post subject:

Hi Jahbah

I hope you had a great weekend. I went to Big Sur with my Red Syncro Westy Camper with 2.5 AEl Tdi, rear tire carrier with 30.5" diameter BFG AT Ko's

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

It uses current issue GW +2 American Progressives. Here is a photo of my passenger rear spring. It uses 2.5" of shims to produce a ride heigh of 21"

And here is tdwestys SVX powered Silver Tintop Syncro, also at 21" ride heigh, uses GW Progressive +2's, HR issue, with 1.5" of shims, uses 29.5" BFG Mud Terrains

And here is ubercools 1.8T powered Silver Syncro Westy Camper, also GW's H&R +2 Progressives, only .5" of shim, to get to a 20" ride height. Uses 28" BFG AT KO

I believe tdwesty and I have similar vehicle weights of about 5200lbs but you can see that I need 1 more inch of shims to get to the same ride height. I think if ubercool was to raise to 21" like tdwesty and I, he might need 1" of shims, or possibly 1.5, not sure. I dont know his vehicle weight, but he travels heavily loaded.

guesstimated motor weights, confirm them
wbx 2.1 280 lbs
your subaru 2.5, 285 lbs
1.8t 320 lbs
SVX 435 lbs
AEL TDi 575 lbs
_________________
My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco

lloydy · Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:02 am Post subject:

some great comparison pics there, really shows the effect of weight vs progressive springs
_________________
16" syncro multivan pop top AHU TDI
“Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.”

Jahbah · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:17 pm Post subject:

Hey guys

After further research I think I'm leaning towards Syncro.org spring over doing a custom hypercoil setup. Any road tested Syncro.org springs with insight? Looking for lift within the limits of stock cv's and emu shocks....
Thanks folks

D
_________________
'87 Westfalia Weekender + '86 Syncro Tintop +'02 Impreza 2.5RS
= '86.5 SuperWestySyncroSubyWeekendermobileagon =
Bueno.
Jahbah~D

kbeefy · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:42 pm Post subject:

without reading all 8 pages, are there ride improvements with the progresive coils? I have the original GW lift coils in the rear and they ride awesome, the front's were way to stiff and have been replaced with an unknown brand that was softer and gave about the same lift. OME shocks. I believe loaded I'm close to 5500#.
_________________
86 syncro CHC, NorthWesty subbie 2.5, decoupler, locker, custom interior, 225/75r16 Duratrack's on CLK's, Toyo cabin heater, ARB fridge, 300w Zamp Solar, Gowesty bumpers/skid/rails, Fiama awning

'86 Syncro Westy. Stock for now.

2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 11' Northland Cabover

2006 Subbie OBXT

2002 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4

1969 Mustang Basket Case 351c/FMX/9

http://kbeefy.blogspot.com/

Phishman068 · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 7:51 am Post subject:

I'm running the syncro.org springs and love them.
The ride height is within the "safe" limit for the CV's, the springs handle every condition better than the stock springs.
They sway about as much on the road as the stock ones but when you hit a pothole, it responds well and doesn't get tossed around.
Take it off road, and you're left with a more comfortable than stock ride over the rough stuff, with plenty of suspension articulation.

Basically, they work exactly as you'd want and expect them to, and are not overly extreme in any way.
If you don't dream of 31'' tires, $2000 in drive axles, massive brakes, and 21'' fender heights,
These are great!

I'm running them with stock oil shocks in the front and adjustable gas shocks in the back. I'm told they're designed to run with the old man emu's and may run better with them, but i'm quite happy with the way it currently runs!
_________________
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

Syncro Jael · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:23 am Post subject:

I raised my Syncro Westy with GoWesty/H&R German Progressive Spring Set (2" Lift) coupled with Old Man Emu shocks and a 1/2" spring pad for the drivers side rear.

LF 19.25
RF 19
RR 19.25
LR 19.25

I needed the additional clearance for the 215/75/15 tires. My stock springs were sagging and I wanted to get back on a level playing field again.

My ride improved but a little stiffer than what it was. Probably just new shocks helped a lot.

The lift definitely hurt my MPG's. I used to roll along at 17-20 mpg all day long running the same size tires. Now I am 15-18 mpg Subaru EJ22.

On our last trip (loaded down) we tipped the scales at 5730 lbs driving through Oregon on a weigh your own scale. Shocked

I am missing the MPG's. Maybe if I took off the light bar, rack, skybox and lost some weight some mileage might return.

Again, it costs money to try and be cool like the others and you pay and pay and keep on paying! Sad

Still I am pleased with my lift, have read many comments from others before I did it, but would probably not go to the expense again. Us old guys now have to jump up another couple inches just to get in! Hahaaa Shocked

_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

Jon_slider · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:13 pm Post subject:

Syncro Jael · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject:

OddN · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:21 pm Post subject:

My syncro Multivan pop top TDK has Trailmaster springs and shocks, and has a ride height of 20,5 inches, both front and rear. I used both trailmaster spacers up front, and the original diesel aluminum spacers in the rear.

Maybe a little too aggressive for the CV's but Ive had this setup for about a year now, and so far no CV failure. Not much serious off roading yet though.

Running 206R-16 on Mefro 6x16 steel Wheels.

Im overall very satisfied With the ride quality of the Trailmaster lift kit. However the brakes are marginal at best, but that is a result of the Wheels, not the lift itself.
_________________
1991 VW Multivan syncro 1,9 TD

Jahbah · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:41 pm Post subject:

I know there are few people out there running there syncros with the Syncro.org springs.....

I am curious about peoples thoughts on the D/P vs O/R springs. I spend a bunch of time off road on 4wd trails. Is there much to be gained with the off-road biased springs or are they more tippy than the D/P springs. Any feedback would be great.

-Phishman thanks for your input what are you running the D/P or O/R's

-Insyncro you get yours installed? any feedback on these puppies?

Thanks Guys

Jahbah!
_________________
'87 Westfalia Weekender + '86 Syncro Tintop +'02 Impreza 2.5RS
= '86.5 SuperWestySyncroSubyWeekendermobileagon =
Bueno.
Jahbah~D

insyncro · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:08 am Post subject:

I have tested all GW and S.org springs from day one.

Both have pros and cons well covered in numerous threads around here.

My "offroad" suspension does not use either the GW or S.org springs.
All custom with Eibach springs on all four corners and adjustable shocks.
Numerous mods and additional parts are needed to do so.

mrshrimp · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:12 pm Post subject:

What springs are on your non-offroad syncro?
-Keith

insyncro · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:24 pm Post subject:

mrshrimp · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:38 pm Post subject:

I've read through all the suspension threads and just cant find any feedback on the S.org springs. Most of the feedback is on the GW springs. I'm with Jahbah, just trying to get some good honest perspective on those ones. But also understand not wanting to push one over the other.

-Keith

Jahbah · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 7:16 pm Post subject:

There are in fact a few other helpful threads, this one is kind of the best resource for Syncro springs. Jon slider has written some good info a few pages back about the different lift options. There seems to be a bunch more discussion about Syncro.org vs gowesty springs then hard data or info about either option Confused

. If someone let me try out these springs I would defiantly do a good write up comparing the options (hint to the manufactures Laughing

). My main confusion is with the two different westy springs from Syncro.org. A fair amount of people enjoy there Syncro.org springs (same as gowesty). I tried the gowesty 2" lift kit for a 2wd and didn't care for the progressive nature on my van, which pushed me into trying the Syncro.org springs. But again most people either say I like them or don't like them(and don't elaborate), or simply imply by occasionally agreeing with others. When I decide and test I will surely report back here. Because this seems to be the best modern discussion about Syncro springs, at least that I can find. Thanks to all those that have
contributed.
Some light reading.......
Maas write up
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582668&highlight=syncro+springs
Gowesty spring install
[/url]http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=243222&highlight=syncro+springs[url]
Review of gowesty springs
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503953&highlight=syncro+springs
There are certainly more threads with other anecdotes but less spring specific discussion. Mrshrimp if you have questions feel free to pm me to discuss over the phone.
Cheers
D
_________________
'87 Westfalia Weekender + '86 Syncro Tintop +'02 Impreza 2.5RS
= '86.5 SuperWestySyncroSubyWeekendermobileagon =
Bueno.
Jahbah~D

insyncro · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 5:18 am Post subject:

Taking a ride in a van with the spring shock combo you are considering is the best way to cut to the chase.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Premium Membership \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Syncro - to lift or not to lift, that is the question.
Page: Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Next

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Next
Page 9 of 10