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lonbordin Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:59 pm Post subject: Thank you Riceye. I just install the Napa # 58595 |
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Installing these shocks are one of the best upgrades for your westy. My 1985 Westfalia Weekender now sits 17" in front 18" in rear. Hooray!!!
Check out the pics at my blog:
http://lonbordin.blogspot.com/
riceye wrote: |
This borders on travesty, and could get me booted from VW cyberworld, but I swapped out the OE (or OG - whatever) rear shocks with a pair of load leveling shocks. These are the ones with the coils around them. The ones I used are now Napa # 58595. They are widely used as rear shocks on late 70 to mid 80's Chevy vans.
I did do a great deal of research to find the shock with the same upper and lower mounting, and extended and comperssed lengths, and travel distance. Under normal load, the shocks are right in the middle of their travel range.
The vehicle leveled out nicely, and the ride improved dramatically. They have been on the vehicle for about 40,000 miles, and I've not had a problem.
I still like the Bilsteins for the front, though! |
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vwjedi Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2005 Posts: 1463 Location: G-ville, FL - hopefully on a trail.
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:05 am Post subject: |
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WBX- You have a PM.
I re-read this post and for some reason I don't seem to be answering your question. Yes, I do think the Carrat springs will sag in the back. Mine had the classic nose slightly up with the stock springs, not as bad as some I've seen. However the load rate must be quite different for "window vans" and "westy's" because mine def. sits nice and high with her butt up in the air now.
I will pass on Provocyclist's good Vanagon mojo and give you my springs for the cost of shipping if you promise to use them. Lemme know. _________________ 1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on... |
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tclark Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2005 Posts: 926
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Thank you Riceye. I just install the Napa # 58595 |
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lonbordin wrote: |
Installing these shocks are one of the best upgrades for your westy. My 1985 Westfalia Weekender now sits 17" in front 18" in rear. Hooray!!!
Check out the pics at my blog:
http://lonbordin.blogspot.com/
riceye wrote: |
This borders on travesty, and could get me booted from VW cyberworld, but I swapped out the OE (or OG - whatever) rear shocks with a pair of load leveling shocks. These are the ones with the coils around them. The ones I used are now Napa # 58595. They are widely used as rear shocks on late 70 to mid 80's Chevy vans.
I did do a great deal of research to find the shock with the same upper and lower mounting, and extended and comperssed lengths, and travel distance. Under normal load, the shocks are right in the middle of their travel range.
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Boy this looked exactly what I wanted untill I doubled checked the specs
for the vw van shows
-27" uncompressed, 16" compressed going on 5/8" bolt up
the specs for 58595 show
-20" uncompresssed, 13" compress might not be so bad BUT it 1/2" bolt up
are my specs for the vw rear shocks correct ???
riceye- you say you did r&d to get compatibility but these specs seem to be way out what did I get wrong ?? |
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riceye Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 1661 Location: Caledonia, WI
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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I PM'd you with the pages and specs, but here it is again, for all to see:
I'm pretty sure my research is correct.
Regards,
Ric _________________ '87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads
There's gonna be some changes made.
“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee
"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig
Last edited by riceye on Wed May 14, 2008 3:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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tclark Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2005 Posts: 926
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:52 am Post subject: |
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riceye wrote: |
I PM'd you with the pages and specs, but here it is again, for all to see:
I'm pretty sure my research is correct.
Regards,
Ric |
Heya Rick
Yah the specs on the page show monroe as the same as I found & that was the issue
The van show
-27" uncompressed, 16" compressed going on 5/8" bolt up
Do I have the wrong specs for the 85 van ???
27" uncompressed, 16" compressed going on 5/8" bolt up
Last edited by tclark on Wed May 14, 2008 1:11 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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riceye Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 1661 Location: Caledonia, WI
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Tim,
The specs for Monroe's replacement shocks for an 85 vanagon are here:
http://info.rockauto.com/Monroe/34971.html
The specs for the shocks I am running are here:
http://info.rockauto.com/Monroe/58595.html
Regards,
Ric _________________ '87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads
There's gonna be some changes made.
“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee
"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig
Last edited by riceye on Wed May 14, 2008 2:59 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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tclark Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2005 Posts: 926
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:14 pm Post subject: ok so all can see vw spec monroe vs load leveler |
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THANK YOu RICK ...
Looks like I got the vw spec wrong
VW specd monroe http://info.rockauto.com/Monroe/34971.html
Upper/lower Bolt on A=12MM & B=1 9/16
Compressed Length 13.375
Extended Length 21
Length of Travel 7.625
http://info.rockauto.com/Monroe/58595.html
Upper/lower Bolt on A=½ & B=1 5/8
Compressed Length 13
Extended Length 20.875
Length of Travel 7.875
so the only real diff is in the upper/lower bolt holes
looks like there is 1/16" of play in the bolt holes
and the load levelers travel .2 of a inch longer
on a real deep dip I guess
good call it was funny i posted to the vanagon list and not a beep
good or bad I just think this is a great solution just shows
yiou gotta keep your eye on both samba & vanagon list
I wonder I might even be a bit raked bcus I have installed
1" aluminium spacers already under the rear springs at top
Last edited by tclark on Thu May 15, 2008 6:00 am; edited 1 time in total |
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camit34 Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2006 Posts: 1567 Location: Commerce City CO
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Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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r39o wrote: |
Measure from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender flare. That way we all end up being able to compare equally, regardless of wheel or tire size. Mine is 17.5 in the back and 18 in the front (and yes, like many 85 Westies, the nose points up.)
So what do you have front and rear? |
I was searching for posts about shocks and ran across this old thread. I noticed just about everyone stating they are running at about 17 to 18 inches, I also noticed most of those figures are on mid 80's (84's & 85's)
I was wondering if the same would apply to my 1980? I measured mine at just over 15" in the front and just over 17" in the rear...is that correct for an 80?
Thanks! _________________ In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD) |
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camit34 Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2006 Posts: 1567 Location: Commerce City CO
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:56 am Post subject: |
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camit34 wrote: |
r39o wrote: |
Measure from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender flare. That way we all end up being able to compare equally, regardless of wheel or tire size. Mine is 17.5 in the back and 18 in the front (and yes, like many 85 Westies, the nose points up.)
So what do you have front and rear? |
I was searching for posts about shocks and ran across this old thread. I noticed just about everyone stating they are running at about 17 to 18 inches, I also noticed most of those figures are on mid 80's (84's & 85's)
I was wondering if the same would apply to my 1980? I measured mine at just over 15" in the front and just over 17" in the rear...is that correct for an 80?
Thanks! |
No one? _________________ In search of a Vanagon
1971 Westy (SOLD)
1971 Deluxe (SOLD)
1967 Freedom Camper (SOLD) |
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airkooledchris Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005 Posts: 2710
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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camit34 - I wondered the same.
I run an 81 AC westy, measured at 16 up front and 17 in the back.
when going over bumps it sqeaks like crazy, and I have that nose dip under heavy breaking.
I am thinking about going this 'napa' shock route myself. |
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riceye Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 1661 Location: Caledonia, WI
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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Chris,
Check out my reply to the thread "Sagging Rear and Electrics"
Cheers,
Ric _________________ '87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads
There's gonna be some changes made.
“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee
"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2002 Posts: 154 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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82 diesel westy, 125k miles, 15" front 16" rear. i thought mine was extra low, but seem all early 80's westys are very low |
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westy87 Samba Member
Joined: November 21, 2005 Posts: 101
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: |
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Back to RAISING the ride height in the rear - to correct the driver side sag, until I got new springs, I cut a circular piece of 3/4 plywood, painted it flat black, and inserted as a spacer. I pulled it three years later when I replaced the springs and it continued to show no signs of wear. So there's a cheap and easy fix! |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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This may seem a silly question, but what is the primary difference between the Monroe Sensatracs discussed above, and the Bilstien HDs for the rear?
I know the coil spring is different, but I don't understand how this will provide any additional height as it's still simply a shock absorber.
Also, are there "rebound ratings" (I made that up if you couldn't tell) that indicate whether the shock provides more or less rebound strength? If so, again what is the difference between the two?
I'm trying to raise the rear a bit more, and I currently have Bilstien HDs. I like the ride currently, so I don't want to go with something with less dampening, though a little more dampening isn't bad. Just don't want it to ride like my lifted Jeep. Is it worth it to replace the rears with the Sensatracs?
Lundy _________________ '85 Westy |
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Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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I don't want to sound like a shill for GoWesty, but they have released some new progressive springs that raise the rear and front a bit. They are not cheap, but then again, what is these days.
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4090&category_id=253&category_parent_id= _________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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Lundy wrote: |
This may seem a silly question, but what is the primary difference between the Monroe Sensatracs discussed above, and the Bilstien HDs for the rear?
I know the coil spring is different, but I don't understand how this will provide any additional height as it's still simply a shock absorber.
Also, are there "rebound ratings" (I made that up if you couldn't tell) that indicate whether the shock provides more or less rebound strength? If so, again what is the difference between the two?
I'm trying to raise the rear a bit more, and I currently have Bilstien HDs. I like the ride currently, so I don't want to go with something with less dampening, though a little more dampening isn't bad. Just don't want it to ride like my lifted Jeep. Is it worth it to replace the rears with the Sensatracs?
Lundy |
Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? _________________ '85 Westy |
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riceye Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 1661 Location: Caledonia, WI
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Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 5:49 am Post subject: |
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Because of the coil-over construction the SensaTracs bear some of the weight, which ends up raising the vehicle, both empty and loaded.
Simply transfers some of the weight from the coils to the shocks.
I have not driven a van with fresh Billies or Konis in the rear, so I can't compare. I have enjoyed a rather stiff ride for over ten years with the NAPA (Monroe) coil-overs. Better in crosswinds, and highway cornering. I don't do much off-roading, other than National Forest campground trails, but the van has never, to my recollection, bottomed out.
Shocks tend to wear slowly, and changes in performance are diffcult to perceive. I changed mine, initially, when I noticed the right rear wheel bouncing like a basketball going over RR tracks.
Prosit,
Ric _________________ '87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads
There's gonna be some changes made.
“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee
"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig |
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JWPATE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2006 Posts: 541
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject: |
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Old thread but a new one to me. Thanks to riceye for researching this and passing on the info.
Just ordered a set. |
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vanagonjr Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010 Posts: 3431 Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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vwjedi wrote: |
Notice how they don't even rebound in my hand! Are yours this shot? Could be partial cause of sag.
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Are they gas charged shocks? If not, then they won't (nor be expected to). |
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furrylittleotter Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2008 Posts: 1506 Location: West Seattle
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Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 8:48 pm Post subject: Re: Experiences with aftermarket springs? |
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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 |
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