Lowering Vanagon

[dougass]

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

[campism]

[El Sabroso]

Hey now. This is on Koni’s and H&R purple springs!

[dougass]

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

[tjet]

They both look great

How is the difference on handling and ride vs stock?

[dougass]

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

[tjet]

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/

[ggoudas]

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.

[Jake de Villiers]

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

[ggoudas]

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

[Jake de Villiers]

Your van is not a Jetta! 3460lbs plus seven passengers and luggage gets your van to 5000lbs which is too much for a 91 tire. Vanagons came with 99 rated tires except for the Carats which came with 97.

There is much discussion about this all over the forum.

Please read:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=584507
_________________
'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

[tjet]