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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Don't forget the rednine design beam, completely upgrades the front end with newer designed VW part numbers and a rack and pinion rather then a steering box.
http://www.red9design.co.uk/type2.htm
Look at that new fuel tank too...I'd not seen that until today! That's cool! _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20278 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Grandpa_Ronny wrote: |
I am looking for anyone that has information on some quality "off road" suspension parts, really I just need quality, the roads around here are rough and I want to make sure I do this right. Has anyone been through this before? solutions? I am wondering about if I just need to replace the entire front and rear end? There is some mickey mouse bullshit fix on the passenger rear trailing arm that needs to be done right as well (I will get photos up next time I have it in the air). Any info would be greatly appreciated. |
There are not really any "off road" parts available from the VW bus aftermarket, other than the high quality shocks that have been mentioned. You can get raised spindles, but your suspension and steering parts are only available new as stock, or maybe rebuilt original quality.
As I, and many others have said before, you need to perform a thorough inspection of your front suspension systems, then repair or replace any worn parts with new or rebuilt versions. Ball joints, tie rods, drag link, center pin, steering box, torsion leaf springs, and even the main torsion tube bushings can be at fault, and can be replaced.
Rear suspension may require new trailing arm and spring plate bushings. The rear camber adjustment IS NOT adjusted with the torsion bar splines, that is for ride height, which you may need, too. Camber is adjusted with a twisting of the trailing arm and is shown in detail in the Bentley manual.
Why did you bother paying for an alignment when you knew there was no point? You need to find a qualified suspension shop with a tech who either knows VW's, or is willing to learn when you supply him with the Bentley manual, and will do it right.
IF the guy who did your alignment ignored any worn out parts, you need to get your money back. IF there are zero worn out parts and they could not get the bus aligned, you need to get your money back.
BTW, where are you in this great state of Idaho? _________________ nothing |
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otiswesty Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 1730 Location: Portland
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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LSD in the transaxle _________________ 1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab
Just a regular guy |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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You'll never regret it. _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20278 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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I was wondering if the Syncro badge would actually help. _________________ nothing |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 10:12 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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cdennisg wrote: |
I was wondering if the Syncro badge would actually help. |
It would raise EXPECTATIONS! Would that help? Depends on the user. I prefer the "speak softly and carry a big stick" approach.
Exceed expectations, rather than over sell your car's abilities.
I understand it's kinda hard to spend $1500 on the LSD and then keep quiet about it.
I guess you could just hang a set of fake testicles from the AHK.
Al _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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otiswesty Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 1730 Location: Portland
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Alan Brase wrote: |
cdennisg wrote: |
I was wondering if the Syncro badge would actually help. |
It would raise EXPECTATIONS! Would that help? Depends on the user.
Al |
A bunch of my good friends are Syncro owners and one of them has these badges made in China. He gave me a few and I put it on for kicks. There is supposed to be a bit of humor in it. Like the other stickers.
The bus is awesome off road with the nice under body clearance. I think a 4WD system is not really necessary except for loose and soft sand. 95% of the places I go travelling and camping, the bus could get there no problem.
Alan Brase wrote: |
I guess you could just hang a set of fake testicles from the AHK.
Al |
What's an AHK? Anhanger? _________________ 1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab
Just a regular guy |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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otiswesty wrote: |
Alan Brase wrote: |
cdennisg wrote: |
I was wondering if the Syncro badge would actually help. |
It would raise EXPECTATIONS! Would that help? Depends on the user.
Al |
A bunch of my good friends are Syncro owners and one of them has these badges made in China. He gave me a few and I put it on for kicks. There is supposed to be a bit of humor in it. Like the other stickers.
The bus is awesome off road with the nice under body clearance. I think a 4WD system is not really necessary except for loose and soft sand. 95% of the places I go travelling and camping, the bus could get there no problem.
Alan Brase wrote: |
I guess you could just hang a set of fake testicles from the AHK.
Al |
What's an AHK? Anhanger? |
Auf Deutsch- Anhanger Kupplung. Trailer hitch.
They have those nice forged steel hook ones with the integral ball.
From looking at Ebay.De
The Germans like to use these acronyms. Need a key to figure out WTF the are saying.
Al _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Pretty happy with mine. |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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KrisBalfe wrote: |
Pretty happy with mine. |
No kidding. I feel the type 2 VW is probably the best 3rd world vehicle ever built. Low tech, pretty rugged, narrow for tight roads, excellent traction. All 1950-1979 and Mexican and Brazil till much later.
Al _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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BusPriest Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2014 Posts: 420 Location: Denver, Co
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Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Am I confused in thinking the general grabbers are not rated for bus loads?? _________________ 1977 Champagne Transporter Custom Camper.
SOHC EJ25, tubbed, wagenswest
Work in progress build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=619684
Not a Priest. |
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klcarrie Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2012 Posts: 288 Location: 'berta!
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Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 12:03 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Here's the load info for General Grabber AT2 27X8.5R14LT 95Q C:
Max load 1520 lbs.
Here's the Weight info:
RZAR wrote: |
Karl wrote: |
jah_B wrote: |
Dang... closer to #5000 |
Huh? Where did that figure come from? My 77 deluxe Westy curb weight from an accurate scale is 3820 lbs without me in it.
I am not sure if VW means unladen weight is the same as curb weight. Curb weight is ready-to-drive weight with all tanks full.
A 76 station wagon unladen weight is 3042 lbs., a Kombi is 2921 lbs.
From here:
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Hey Karl whats the difference between a Kombi and a station wagen? Also a camper is roughly 800 to 900 lbs heavier than a regular passenger van? |
1520 lbs * 4 = 6080 lbs > 5070 lbs GVW.
So... you have at least 1010 lbs to work with before going over the GVW for the Kombi (the heaviest among variants).
Other opinions welcome.
See Al's comment below for clarification. _________________ Pritchin'
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Currently looking for:
- Bay Bus Pinion Nut Socket
- 64-67 big nut (rear) drums and brake parts, 46mm axle nuts (Big Nuts)
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'55 Wolfburg Pannel Project
'55 Wolfsburg SC Project
'71 Westy
Last edited by klcarrie on Sat Aug 05, 2017 12:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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otiswesty Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2006 Posts: 1730 Location: Portland
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Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 6:33 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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I've been running the General Grabber since 2008 on my Syncro. They hold up well.The Syncro is much heavier and slightly larger than the Bus, so I don't see a reason why they wouldn't be as good or better on a Bus.
_________________ 1978 Sage Green P22 Westfalia
1989 T3 Syncro Single cab
Just a regular guy |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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klcarrie wrote: |
Here's the load info for General Grabber AT2 27X8.5R14LT 95Q C:
Max load 1520 lbs.
1520 lbs * 4 = 6080 lbs > 5070 lbs GVW.
So... you have at least 1010 lbs to work with before going over the GVW for the Kombi (the heaviest among variants).
Other opinions welcome. |
Uhh. not exactly. 5070 ONLY if the weight is distributed equally front/ rear. Rear need much more. 1520x 2= 3040. (still okay, just closer.)
Are you derating these? I don't think you need to since they are LT rated.
Al _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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sf bay window Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2009 Posts: 69 Location: bay area
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Ok guys i know its probably beem covered but, i just picked up set of American eagle alloys 15" for my 68 bus camper stock height, i was thinking of getting 205 70 15 i really dig the grabbers the off rs look but thy come in 205 75 15 would thses fit with out having to raise or do any mods? I am running a 1776 . The wholr tire size thing gets a bit confusing and reading thru posts makes it even more so . Please help steer me in the rite direction thanks |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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205 75 15 will fit with no issues. 215 75 15 will occasionally rub at full lock and compression. |
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sf bay window Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2009 Posts: 69 Location: bay area
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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KrisBalfe wrote: |
205 75 15 will fit with no issues. 215 75 15 will occasionally rub at full lock and compression. |
thanks for the info |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22668 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 3:15 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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KrisBalfe wrote: |
Pretty happy with mine. |
They left the " h" out. It's " syncroh"
I guess that's what happens when it's made in Cina. _________________ .ssS! |
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Alan Brase Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004 Posts: 4532 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 5:22 am Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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Abscate wrote: |
KrisBalfe wrote: |
Pretty happy with mine. |
They left the " h" out. It's " syncroh"
I guess that's what happens when it's made in Cina. |
Perhaps invest in a shiny new Chinese tail light lens?
WTF ever.
But I guess, having fun is good, too.
Al _________________ Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 11:26 pm Post subject: Re: Off road modifications for your bus |
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I'm actually pretty happy with the tail light lens too.
Nothing Chinese about either of them, pulled the badge off of the syncro and installed on my bay syncrohhhhyeah. |
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