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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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 Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, here are my pics. Already had put the CLK wheels on there a few weeks back, so installing the Carat springs was the finishing touch to de-Monster Trucking my Vanagon. My old set-up was this
Tall 85 Springs paired with 15 inch alloys rolling 215/75-15 BFGs
So here are the front Carat springs sitting next to the 85 springs I just pulled off the van.
Here's the van with front Carats and rear tall 85 springs. Got the 70s muscle car rake to it.
And here we go all Carat'ed.
Haven't really had a chance to drive it with the new set-up, I need to head to the alignment shop first thing in the morning.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Hiram, that looks RIGHT! Can you pull a measurement from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender well?
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91 CARAT |
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autostick73
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2007
Posts: 124
Location: Adel, Georgia
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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That is what I am talking about. I am looking to do the same thing once I find a set of CLK wheels.
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73 VW Beetle Autostick |
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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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| bigsteveob wrote: |
| Hey Hiram, that looks RIGHT! Can you pull a measurement from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender well? |
First thing I did. Old set-up wheel center to fender lip was 17.25 all the way around. With carat springs I've 15 inches up front, 15.5 in the back.
The van is noticeably lower, even at a casual glance. I no longer have to make a "jump" up into the driver's seat, it's now just a little "hop"
These springs, along with the CLKs and 16 inch 60 series (correctly rated) tires should transform the van's ride. Couple that with last weekend's complete front brake overhaul with new pads, rotors, lines, and calipers, and then add in the rear disc conversion I did about a month ago, and I've pretty drastically changed the driving experience.
When the crate Zetec that is sitting in my garage goes in, it will be even better.
And, yes, new Koni's are on order for the front, and I'm going with the Gabriel air shocks in the back.
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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Don't forget to NOT jump into the driver seat. Thats a headache waiting....
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91 CARAT |
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0to60in6min
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3456
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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YES... it looks right to me too..
the Carat always has a the look that the rear is bit higher than the front, empty of course... |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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lookin' good!
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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pete000
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 645
Location: Bradenton Florida
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| Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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I am running H & R red (purple) with Koni shocks, Adeco sway bars, and soon to be installed Burley upper front A arms for lowered busses.
Still has a slight wedge to the stance which I like. Rides like a big square go cart !
_________________
1990 Vanagon
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Koni Shocks
Witech Springs
Addco Sway Bars Front-Rear
OEM Porsche Wheels
Recaro Power-Heated seats
JL Audio, Kenwood, Soundstream, MB Quart, Audiocontrol |
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Project Neptune
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2009
Posts: 165
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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i have a 86 4sp vanagon, i know that putting carat springs on a westy lowers it, but which spring from a recent vanagon are applicable to mine? im looking to lower it an inch or maybe even 2.
and ofcourse the shocks come into play. |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Matt Gesus wrote: |
i have a 86 4sp vanagon, i know that putting carat springs on a westy lowers it, but which spring from a recent vanagon are applicable to mine? im looking to lower it an inch or maybe even 2.
and ofcourse the shocks come into play. |
just get some carat springs and cut the front bump stops.
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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Project Neptune
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2009
Posts: 165
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:19 am Post subject: |
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niice.
sounds fun to me.
thanks man. |
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SyncroChrick
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2005
Posts: 1034
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Great info here.
I just purchased a 1991 Westfalia and I have to make it fit in my garage.
The magic number I am hoping to get to is 79 inch, that's the lowest point when the door is open.
I think a 1991 Westfalia is at 80.9 inch (can someone confirm that?)
If anyone has a set of lowering spring for sale let me know!
Thanks
Christian |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| SyncroChrick wrote: |
Great info here.
I just purchased a 1991 Westfalia and I have to make it fit in my garage.
The magic number I am hoping to get to is 79 inch, that's the lowest point when the door is open.
I think a 1991 Westfalia is at 80.9 inch (can someone confirm that?)
If anyone has a set of lowering spring for sale let me know!
Thanks
Christian |
this is an ideal situation for airbags. you can dump the air to drive into your garage. probably cheaper to mod your garage though.
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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SyncroChrick
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2005
Posts: 1034
Location: San Francisco, CA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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| 240Gordy wrote: |
=
this is an ideal situation for airbags. you can dump the air to drive into your garage. probably cheaper to mod your garage though. |
I have never seen a Vanagon with airbag? Yes but this house is a rental, I am not sure the owner would appreciate...
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:26 am Post subject: |
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that might fit?
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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hatchb4ck
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2008
Posts: 124
Location: Overland Park, KS
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| Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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Great options for bringing the height down on the taller Vanagons. Having up until this past weekend owned an 89 Carat, I was a bit spoiled by the height of the Vanagon.
Now I have an 86 Wolfsburg which is taller, in addition to having the Westy top. I'm about an inch too tall to fit into the garage.
I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for Loogy's spring combo and/or a set of Carat springs.
Hiram...side question... Did you have to mod the center caps on the CLK's to get them to fit? I have a set waiting in the wings and when I test fit them the center caps didn't clear the spindle/cap on the fronts.
_________________
1960 Ford F100
2016 Moto Guzzi Stornello
www.josephpugh.com |
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sweden
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 239
Location: sweden
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 5:24 am Post subject: Air ride |
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To drive on air is the best solution.
You choose your height self.
Regards Patrik
www.vw-tristar.com
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hiram6
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006
Posts: 1880
Location: Beautiful South
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 5:57 am Post subject: |
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| hatchb4ck wrote: |
Hiram...side question... Did you have to mod the center caps on the CLK's to get them to fit? I have a set waiting in the wings and when I test fit them the center caps didn't clear the spindle/cap on the fronts. |
I'm running a 5mm spacer in the rear, and a 8mm spacer in the front. With those spacers, and cutting down the front greasecaps a bit, they "kinda" fit. The fronts Mercedes center caps don't quite (like 1mm short) seat all the way.
They are staying put so far!!
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
|
| Back to top |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 9:26 am Post subject: |
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beautiful truck there Patrik!
how is the ride?
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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sweden
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 239
Location: sweden
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| 240Gordy wrote: |
beautiful truck there Patrik!
how is the ride? |
It like to drive on cloud.
Now is a TriStar is very quiet from beginning.
But this is very comfortable to drive.
Better than we expected.
Regards Patrik
www.vw-tristar.com |
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