Springs on a 2wd Auto

[micparsons]

Hello all … i am planning to buy the GW 1.5 lift coil spring setup, and Fox shocks (2wd bundle). I plan to keep my OEM 14in rims (currently running General Grabber tires). I know it’s recommend/advisable to upgrade to 15in or 16in rims/tires, its just that I want to keep things as stock as possible and prefer the original look.

Obviously safety comes first and want to make sure this is ok having the 1.5 lift with 14in OEMs? (Note, if it helps/matters, I added T3 Anti-Roll Bar a while back.)

Appreciate your opinion or thoughts/concerns… couldn’t find this specific question in any of the threads.

-Mike
‘90 Westy stock

[furrylittleotter]

I am adding the following post to threads related to rear spring selection.
It is applicable to 2wd and Syncro:

"After trying new shocks, carat springs, and new poly rear arm bushings I was still extremely dissatisfied with my rear suspension setup.

It simply wasn't moving.

I wanted to be able to custom select my springs based on rate so I decided to fit 2.5" coilover springs and see what happened.

Here is a photo in place but before paint and without rubber isolators.

No unusual angles. Slight rub on rubber sleeve at stop on top. Seems acceptable.

First I fitted 450lb 10" 2.5" Eibachs.

Still could barely move the van up and down jumping up and down on bumper.

Then I fitted 400# springs and it finally moved.

So far so good more testing to do.


I made the mounts from 1/4" steel plate and steel pipe coupling (conduit) cut in half, welded in.

The extra rubber is 1/2" reinforced belting I custom ordered to help isolate.

I cut it to fit.


The lower mount is angled.

The factory bump stop is covered with a thick rubber sleeve ( 1/4"?)

Fun little project."

Neil2

[wenholzm]

[j_dirge]

[JeffRobenolt]

I kept my stock 85 rear springs in. I used 3 layers of cutting board to raise it up to 19". Then I have the Monroe shocks with the helper spring for a Chevy Astro van(longer). It holds the rear up very well and the ride is still good.

My cargo box stays on the van loaded and my bumpers are super heavy and when camping the rear oF the van is full.

I would go this route first and if you think you need more spring you can do that later. The stock van shock will top out depending on how high you raise it.

What RPM are you running at 65mph? do you like the 3.73's?

_________________
For OEM Subaru and SixStar parts and harness modications
AVsubaruconversions.com

[dubbified]

How do you know?

Ideally a bit of insight both to the in person condition (they're ok looking) to the feel/sound/feedback with how it drives in various conditions.

After I picked up the van last spring, I pulled the front suspension apart, restored it all to new, replaced all bushings, cleaning, and painting each component as they were seeing some rust, cleaning the springs/suspension in process undercoating.

Generally my real decision to do this was by being on couple backwoods trails before I tore the van down for restore in Feb, I noticed it wasnt maintaining ride height as good as I'd like, and I was nowhere near as loaded as its going to get for my trips up to Northern Canada Territories/US rockies next year, maybe a short one this fall, if I bust nuts and get this project done.

Tires are taller/wider. I will need some additional clearance.

As far as how much these springs can tolerate.. I gotta do more investigation.. I may replace the hydraulics at some point to something which is known shape, and will help with my setup.

I am also thinking about the future application and setup of my rig. We're setting it up like this to be anything from personal command center for search and rescue efforts, easy weekend getaways, longer vacations throughout North/South America(hopefully).

I'm going to be packing one primary class 42 deep, 2/3 auxillary, 8-18G propane, 35-50G of water, a heated shower setup, kitchenette, greywater storage, a ton of camping gear, awning, electronics, when on vacation probably 4-5 people aboard.. not to mention things like fridge, generator, rear hitch based storage, locking arm rack system for storage/propane/water, tire holder and the steel bumpers also are much heavier than the fiberglass.

The springs and bilstein shocks are unknown from the Previous owner, although they work, look ok, sound ok, drive ok from what I can tell, I have little room for comparison with a van, as this is my first.

While I'm considering springs, I'm also wondering if Urethane is a worthwhile endeavor.

[wenholzm]

[dubbified]

germantransaxle

[JeffRobenolt]

Where did you find a 3.73??

I hope that motor puts out a lot of torque, like 150 or more or I think you might have problems on the hills.

Jeff
_________________
For OEM Subaru and SixStar parts and harness modications
AVsubaruconversions.com

[dubbified]

I rebuilt the engine, went with 96mm Pistons =2.25 Liter engine, also used Ratio Rockers 1.25 with updated "feet".

I rebuilt the transmission, went with a Peliquins LSD for the Automatic, and a 3.73 Ring and Pinion.

After putting limited slip in my Gti.. I'm a firm beleiver. I wont own another car without one.

[JeffRobenolt]

What do you mean 3.73 R&P and a 2.25????

I have 225 75 15's with a Suby 2.2 and an auto and that is pushing it.

_________________
For OEM Subaru and SixStar parts and harness modications
AVsubaruconversions.com

[PDXWesty]

I have 27's on my van and the ride height is about 17". It does fine with that size, 2.1 automatic trans. You shouldn't have any problems if you go with new springs.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[dubbified]

I hear ya, already bought 225/65/16's.. a 27.5 inch tire shouldnt be that bad, stock is what, like 25.5?

Its also got a 3.73 ring and pinion with a 2.25L and some engine work, pretty much everything (systems/bayside) are on this fresh build.

Its been in my buddy's garage since Feb.

I'm ready to rock this thing.

[PIRATE]

The lift is great but 225 65 will change your gear ratio I think there is a certain limit to what tire you can install on a auto trans with a stock 2.1 l
It really hurts your low end but it's great at highway speeds.

Someone will chime in that has more knowledge than me and let you now what size tire you can run. But the springs are awsome
_________________
2003 jetta wagon
1987 westfalia 2wd
1987 Syncro GL
1964 vespa vbb 150
1973 vespa sprint
2005 toyota tacoma Ole reliable

[madspaniard]

agree about the pics but that will only show you ride height, there is so much that can't be seen in pics and you need to hear feedback about it, are they stiff, firm, harsh, responsive, how about cornering? You could be looking peachy with your new springs but for me it is all about performance
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[dubbified]

The problem, is similar problem on the Tire/wheel thread and is certainly lacking... is pictures.

I can tell you as soon as I toss a set on, pictures will be had, and they will be posted to this thread.

I am leaning toward the Gowesty 1.5 as they also include that balljoint extender and that makes sense to me. Also does the preloading makes total sense.

More thoughts on this matter are definitely welcome.

as for GW, their springs are made by HR springs.

[madspaniard]

more info about those choices here

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...p;start=20
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[buildyourown]

Moog 5662 springs in the front and monroe helper shocks in the rear.
Cheaper than a full set of springs and allows you to tune the rear based on payload.
The trade-off is lose of damping in performance over a premium shock

[davevickery]

There are two threads similar to this. They talk about Moog 5660 springs which raise the front 1.5" or so and Monroe Coil Shocks that replace the original shocks and the coils give it extra lift, also about 1.5". The Moogs cost about $60/pr and the Monroe shocks cost $85/pr at rockauto. Feedback in those threads was all positive.

That's what I am thinking of doing.

[madspaniard]

Very interesting thread. I also have an auto 2WD. I've also been looking at this issue. It sounds like we don't have many options from the usual vendors:

* Syncro.org springs.

http://syncro.org/schwenksprings/vanagon_springs.html

I'm not even sure they are still available. Van Cafe used to sell the them but they discontinued sales and came up with their own springs. They have mixed reviews here in The Samba and other forums. I had a set in a box for a long time, installed them not long ago and I don't like them at all. The nose dips too much during stops and the rear is sagging, I had to use spacers, it took a lot of shimming on the left rear to correct the westy lean. I will change them soon, it sounds like they had some issues with some batches of these springs, ughh!

Read this thread

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=273255&highlight=syncro+org

* Bus Depot sells these below, not sure who fabricates them

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251411105A952
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251511105952

* Van Cafe. They recently came up with these springs designed after the syncro.org springs but I'm not 100% sure, I have not been able to find feedback on these springs yet, too early

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_837_533/2wd_springs.html

The "before" and "after" pics on this ad don't help much, I can't see the difference.

* GoWesty: they used to sell german progressive H&R 1.5" lift springs, not anymore. They just came up with these new progressive springs made in USA, again, too early for feedback

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23481&category_id=&category_parent_id=

I don't know what I will end up doing, do I take a chance with VanCafe's springs after my personal bad experience with syncro.org springs or do I go with GoWesty new kit? I have stock engine if that is a concern with progressive springs but an engine conversion is in the horizon.
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali