| Author |
Message |
satori
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2009
Posts: 51
Location: Australia
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:50 am Post subject: Idea's on my Lowered T3 Vanagon |
 |
|
Hey everyone. I have lowered my van with what was supposed to be only 50mm. After installing the back only lowered minimal yet the front is very low. The ride quality is very bad also, really rough. The shocks are KYB gas-a-just and GR2's. The springs are american made. Can anyone recommend a good solid set up that rides good on rough roads and yet doesnt bounce around. I dont mind if it isnt lowered, just want it to ride smooth.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12304
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| KYB are crap for a vanagon. I have heard good reviews on koni shocks. I like my bilsteins on my 2wd, they are firm and handle well but not harsh like KYB. I don't have any recommendations for springs. Good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThorAlex
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2006
Posts: 620
Location: Norway
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
H/R makes good springs for vanagons, 30mm, 45mm and 80mm I think
_________________
1990 syncro 1.6TD "Smily"
Ex-vans:
1990 Caravelle coach 1.6TD
1986 Transporter Double cab syncro 2.1 112hp
"I'm wrong so often... It's great!" - Adam Savage |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stevey88
Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: Fremont, SF Bay Area
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Have you cut down the bump stops ? It may be hitting and cause the rough ride.
_________________
Steve
87 Westfalia full camper 4 speed |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BlackDogVan
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2007
Posts: 855
Location: Vancouver Island
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:56 am Post subject: |
|
|
Ditch the KYB's asap & cut down the bump stops & it'll make it a whole new van.
This setup on my van was butter smooth, H&R purple, Koni adjustables & trimmed bump stops.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
makippert
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Indianapolis
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's on my Lowered T3 Vanagon |
|
|
| satori wrote: |
| Hey everyone. I have lowered my van with what was supposed to be only 50mm. After installing the back only lowered minimal yet the front is very low. The ride quality is very bad also, really rough. The shocks are KYB gas-a-just and GR2's. The springs are american made. Can anyone recommend a good solid set up that rides good on rough roads and yet doesnt bounce around. I dont mind if it isnt lowered, just want it to ride smooth. |
Not sure how to answer your question but I'll share my experience with a lowered Vanagon. Frankly I'm thinking that if you want a lowered Vanagon you'll have to accept that there will be a certain amount of compromise in the ride. It will handle better, look better, but ride stiffer.
When I bought my '86 GL in October '08 it was the only Vanagon I had ever ridden in. It had stock wheels and tires. It rode rough but I figured that's the way they are.
Not long after I was lucky enough to find a previous owner (not the guy I bought it from) who told me about the upgrades he had done. These included H&R springs (they're purple) that lowered it about 3" (75/80mm). He also put longer studs on the rear. This was good news since I wanted to put on nicer wheels. I don't know what shocks are on it (he couldn't remember), and I can't tell when looking nor can I find a label (not that I've tried too hard). They're yellow if that matters.
I've since added some Mercedes wheel that I got on craigslist for $150. They fit great with 10mm spacers front and rear. The Michelin tires on them are underrated so I'm hoping ride will improve with better tires. I may also look at getting the Koni shocks that I've seen recommended.
I have to say that it does handle very well with the lower stance and non-stock wheels/tires. My biggest problem besides rough ride is pulling into driveways (I have to go at an angle or tear up the air dam). It also has factory mud flaps and when I go slowly over speed bumps the front flaps just brush the top of the bump (this started after the new wheels with 205/55/16 tires).
Here's a helpful link to a page on Van Cafe about lowering a Vanagon.
-Mark
'86 GL 4spd in Indy
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
makippert
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Indianapolis
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| BlackDogVan wrote: |
Ditch the KYB's asap & cut down the bump stops & it'll make it a whole new van.
This setup on my van was butter smooth, H&R purple, Koni adjustables & trimmed bump stops. |
Sounds like I'll have to check my own bump stops and replace the shocks. What wheels and tires are you wearing there?
-Mark |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alaric.H
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009
Posts: 2529
Location: Sandy Springs GA
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have the Weitec on my 2wd westy and I quite like them.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
purplepeopleeater
Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005
Posts: 3117
Location: E. Washington
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| stock suspension. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
motelvw
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2005
Posts: 465
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Looks like you have the cip1 spring set. I had those on my old 81. Front drops 2", back maybe 1/2'". Bad ride without pricey Koni's. Why they don't make them level is beyond me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BlackDogVan
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2007
Posts: 855
Location: Vancouver Island
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| makippert wrote: |
| BlackDogVan wrote: |
Ditch the KYB's asap & cut down the bump stops & it'll make it a whole new van.
This setup on my van was butter smooth, H&R purple, Koni adjustables & trimmed bump stops. |
Sounds like I'll have to check my own bump stops and replace the shocks. What wheels and tires are you wearing there?
-Mark |
225/55/17's on audi A4 wheels, 17x7.5 45et 10mm spacer in front & 5mm rear |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
did you get your ride sorted? you might want to put a spacer under the front springs (or on top) to get the front up a bit, to match the rear. My rear is lower but I am running air bags and they are adjustable. My ride height was just like yours before I got the bags. When I get the fronts installed I will set it a little higher.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2672
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
BlackDog that looks really sweet. I have some 17x7.5's I'm refinishing now. I have yet to install my H&R's, I still have carat springs and Konis now.
I really need to take the plunge and go for the H&R's. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thummmper
Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2009
Posts: 2015
Location: Meadow Valley, California Republic
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:08 pm Post subject: driveways |
|
|
| are you guys the dudes I drive around when they stop in a driveway? do you know how idiotic that is? high school |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: driveways |
|
|
| thummmper wrote: |
| are you guys the dudes I drive around when they stop in a driveway? do you know how idiotic that is? high school |
are you the dude that has to slow down going around the on ramp that we have to pass you? like you are going to tip over if you go a little faster?
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blockhead squarewheels
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2017
Posts: 55
Location: Santa Cruz
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
| BlackDogVan wrote: |
| makippert wrote: |
| BlackDogVan wrote: |
Ditch the KYB's asap & cut down the bump stops & it'll make it a whole new van.
This setup on my van was butter smooth, H&R purple, Koni adjustables & trimmed bump stops. |
Sounds like I'll have to check my own bump stops and replace the shocks. What wheels and tires are you wearing there?
-Mark |
225/55/17's on audi A4 wheels, 17x7.5 45et 10mm spacer in front & 5mm rear |
Blackdogvan,
I have the same tire size, wietec springs and I get some serious fender rub, even bottoming out the tire on the top of the wheel well. Bumps stops are trimmed to the washer+1 rib. Do you have any issues with tire rub? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
