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dougass Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2016 Posts: 300 Location: NJ
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 4:41 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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Hey TJET,
I am a big fan of my Weitec & Komi combo. My van came with H&R springs and I was not pleased. If I was planning on going next-level I would seek out a customizable coil-over kit; alas, that is not in the cards any time soon.
Not sure about wheel fitment, I am sure others will have some insight. _________________ '91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.
#klausvan & @thisisklausvan |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4491 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 4:57 am Post subject: |
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I do not know the Weitec/Koni details but have emailed Matt, the owner of the yellow van posted above, asking him to pop in and give some details of his install. He also has a 1.8T swap and gave me a ride a couple of years ago. While the slammed look is cool the ride bobbles a little more than I like, similar to all those slammed Civics you see riding on the bump stops.
Matt's Samba handle is El Sabroso, if someone wants to PM him. _________________ '87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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El Sabroso Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2011 Posts: 49 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 4:40 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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Hey now. This is on Koni’s and H&R purple springs!
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dougass Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2016 Posts: 300 Location: NJ
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 4:41 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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Weitec springs and 215/70R14. The front is slightly higher than with H&Rs, giving it a more level look.
_________________ '91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.
#klausvan & @thisisklausvan |
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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3533 Location: CA & NM
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:05 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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They both look great
How is the difference on handling and ride vs stock? |
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dougass Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2016 Posts: 300 Location: NJ
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:16 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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Handling is excellent, the limitation is tires. I love the stock alloys, there is sooo much sidewall with 14inch wheels that I feel the sidewalks flex with any spirited driving.
Consider a comprehensive suspension upgrade, you will feel improvements from each item installed. Springs alone will leave you bouncing out of bumps; Koni adjustable will be the easiest solution for that.
T3 Sway Bar + HD end links will be the biggest contributor to tighten up handling. This should be the first handling purchase for a new van owner.
Bushings will clean up the rest! Polyurethane of course. Steering rack bushings compliment the sway bar nicely and the rest of the joints will make handling & response consistent. _________________ '91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.
#klausvan & @thisisklausvan |
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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3533 Location: CA & NM
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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I just picked up a clean 85 tintop. I'm going to drop it.
Here's the rims that I will get - 15x8 steelies in the front. I'm gonna try to fit 15x9s in the rear with 245/60r15s
https://www.corsasteelies.com/ |
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ggoudas Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2011 Posts: 6 Location: MA
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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1991 Carat TinTop
VW Jetta Rims
Pirelli Cinturato 225/45/17
Width 8 inches Height 3 inches
Weitec Springs
Koni adjustable shocks “I chose the middle setting”
T3 Technique “Very Helpful”
18 mm spacer front
25 mm spacer rear
25mm front HD Anti-Roll Bar “HD End Links”
Powerflex Polyurethane Bushings – all
Ride height after driving on them for a few years.
Rear center cap to Fender 15 inches
Front center cap to Fender 13 5/8
“Machine shop enlarged the inside rim diameter to go over front hub, but not all the way through so factory center cap would still be used”
Machine shop fabricated 2 new aluminum grease fittings, smaller than originals; tight fit “tap on” that taper down so rim will fit over hub assembly. I had to drill hole and square it for speed odometer cable. I filed off everything I could just before the c-clip on speed cable. I also took just a little plastic off the inside of one center cap. When I rotate tires that center cap stays on the driver’s front when rotating tires. Very tight but I have VW factory rims and center caps!
One Sunday no one was working on highway and I learned a lesson. When I see any road repair slow down. I was on a road trip in traffic a bridge coms up and there is no transition where they took the pavement out and the bridge. That bump at 70 mph or faster is loud, abrupt, and hurts to hear. The van takes it well but you think you just went into a ditch and lost some front end parts. By the time I saw it I couldn’t slow in time with traffic behind me.
Note:
The tires on these rims are about the same overall height as my factory aluminum rims with stock tires.
When my tires wear out I will get same 8” width but will increase side wall 1 or 2 inches.
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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Your Pirellis are very underrated for the weight of the van at 91. You need at least Load Range 97 on a tin top with 99 preferred.
Great colour on the van! _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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ggoudas Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2011 Posts: 6 Location: MA
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Lowering Vanagon |
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Hmm, Specs look close to me.
Edmonds 2018 Jetta curb weight 3009
Edmonds 1991 carat curb weight 3460
Purchased tires and rims from Dealer, they said sometimes a car comes in and they have about 5 miles on them and get a tire upgrade 17's off and 19's go on.
I don't think the dealer would put under rated tires on a new cars.
Am I missing something? thanks |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3533 Location: CA & NM
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