Help with a cheap fix for the dreaded 1985 sag?

[YosemiteBound]

Troops,

Thanks again for all of the help here. With the forum's help I just replaced my sink pump (so nice to actually have something be relatively simple with this van).

Next up I think I'm going to try and fix the dreaded 1985 sag. Now, I have to be clear - this is not a job that I can do on my own. Nor do I have the tools or buddy help to get into the suspension during the age of coronavirus. But I've been laid off and I'm trying to tackle and van jobs that I can - until work picks back up.

I've recently done the full aux battery setup - with inverter and charger - grounded the rear speakers - and installed a new stereo with rear and front speakers. That was kind of pricey. As a result - my wife is trying to curb the spending. So I can't pull the trigger on the full XHD Bilstein setup and new springs and bushings etc etc. Which I am firmly aware the we need.

Stock setup: 1985 1.9 full westy.

I'd love to cheaply fix the sag. As when we load up all of our stuff and my wife and kid hop in back - the rig just looks like it's doing a wheelie down the road.
I love how high the front end is with stock springs. I just want to level out the back to be just as high. I did a bunch of shim research here. The problem is I am just getting into doing my own repairs. I don't have a ton of tools nor the way to fabricate anything (from cutting boards or rubber or such). And I haven't found anywhere online that sells shims to fit my vanagon.

Luckily, there's a great local shop a block away from me that does a ton of work on Vanagons. They constantly have them in there. The guys are real nice too. I talked to him and he said he'd install anything from Go Westy (and does it all of the time), or, if I can find a shim he'll put that in for me.

So my real question is: What's a good temporary, inexpensive, way to level out the vanagon right now? Keep hunting for a shim? Can I just buy new springs and put those in for now? Then just do bushings and shocks later? Or does that not make sense... once you're in there one should replace shocks and front springs as well etc. Is there a cheaper/better way to fix all of this than spending $1200 at GW? Has anyone tackled replacing their vanagon suspension piecemeal? Cost effectively at a shop?

Thx so much everyone. While I'm at it - I'm also gonna put these truck mirrors in myself. GW is sold out - anyone know if the van cafe ones are exactly the same? I see install videos everywhere for the GW mirrors but not the VC ones.

Hah, okay that's it. Phew.
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1985 Westy Round Headlights "Liam"

[MarkWard]

There was a similar recent thread with a link to a company making rear spacers. Can’t find it at the moment.

Edit: cip1.com had the truck or LT mirrors.
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[YosemiteBound]

[vanis13]

[fxr]

[YosemiteBound]

[MarkWard]

My mirrors came Direct from Germany. Back then it was the only option. Cip1 is a bargain. Sometimes they go on sale. Mine didn’t come with hardware either. Just gaskets. Local marine supply for countersunk stainless. Not a deal breaker.
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[YosemiteBound]

[campism]

I recently installed three 5/16" spacers cut from an inexpensive cutting board (still have two left) and was able to install them by myself. You'll need at least one jackstand and it will be helpful to have a floor jack to support the suspension arm once the shock has been loosened. You'll need to be able to lower and raise the arm with control and you could do one side at a time with those tools.

People have used those spacers on both sides but I did not. It raised the rear about an inch total and actually tipped it down in front by about half that amount. Shims are about 6" diameter with a 2" hole. I can measure my spares more precisely, if you like.

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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[khughes]

[YosemiteBound]

[vanis13]

re: spacers -

in addition to the spacers which I hve I have been LOVING the Gabriel gas adjustable shock. surprisingly cheap ($60 for a pair) and work very well in general, for leveling, and for hauling HEAVY hitch/back end weight. I hauled a 600lb motorcycle on a hitch tray and leveled it right out for a 3k mile haul. Couldn't even tel it was there.

Search Gabriel shocks for synchro to find them they don't list them for 2wd
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[campism]

[YosemiteBound]

Okay here's what I'm thinking now:

Change out the rear springs to GW 1.5" lift. Leave the front springs stock (as they're already lifted). While I'm at it change out the rear shocks.

Leave the front shocks alone.

Later down the road - do the front shocks and front and rear bushings.

Does this make sense? Or is it super weird to do only rear springs and shocks and not change out front or any bushings.... I honestly have no idea.
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1985 Westy Round Headlights "Liam"

[mikemtnbike]

My opinion only is the best thing to do now would be spacers and done. You kind of want to change all four shocks at once and if you do the rear springs, you need to do a rear alignment. That’s why it’s a slippery slope. I also don’t think you know if the lift springs will really level you out, you can move spacers around.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[YosemiteBound]

[VicVan]

[jimf909]

Schwenk spacers...
http://www.syncro.org/schwenksprings/shims.html

Van Cafe has 1" spacers in-stock
https://www.vancafe.com/RMW-6X1-p/rmw-6x1.htm

But if jigsaw and a drill you can make more than you need for less...
https://www.amazon.com/Stanton-Trading-799-30-Cutt...amp;sr=1-8
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- Jim

[campism]

Seriously, you can knock these out in an hour and install them at your leisure.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[westyventures]

Stock rear Syncro springs are almost perfect to match the high front. Should be a good supply since so many Syncro owners upgrade to different springs.