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BugaRu
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2006
Posts: 35
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 Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:09 am Post subject: Lowering Vanagon |
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Don't shoot me, I tried to search for help on this topic but for some reason everytime I do a search on this message board I get lost.
Is anyone running a lowered Vanagon, or does anyone have any info on what can be done to lower one? I'm just looking for 1 or 2 inches or so and not looking to slammed it to the payment.
Thank you for any assistance.
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If it's a VW.. Put a Subaru in it ! |
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82WestyMan
Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2006
Posts: 1098
Location: Western OR
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Not a problem
Since vanagons have coil springs on all four corners, the best way to lower (or raise) a vanagon is thru replacment of the springs
H&R (among others) makes springs to lower your vanagon
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"The floggings will continue until morale improves"
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82 Westfalia - w/ a Raby 'Camper Special' engine |
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porker buzz
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009
Posts: 113
Location: uk
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| either use standard vw 30mm caravelle springs or mauve h/r 45mm springs with either bilstein yellow shocks or koni yellow or red dampers and you wont be dissapointed |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5528
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:00 am Post subject: |
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I am actually in the testing phase of a new line of lowering springs/shocks for Vanagons. These springs will provide a level stance like the Carat springs (and unlike the H&R springs) and really nice ride quality. I'm not sure when they will actually be availble for retail sale, but hopefully by the end of summer.
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"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
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Gauche1968
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006
Posts: 1561
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: |
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Trim the bumpstops if you are going to lower it, especially if you are using Bilstein shocks.
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1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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noza
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 97
Location: walla walla, wa
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Alaric.H
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009
Posts: 2529
Location: Sandy Springs GA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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German Weitec Lowering Springs
More money but worth it I have had both |
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snowwagon
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2009
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:44 am Post subject: |
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This is my and my sons work in progress.....
Its definately lower than most... this was done by the previous owner and if interested I will look for manufacture/part numbers for the springs and shocks.
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airkooledchris
Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 2720
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: |
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to be short, if you live in the USA currently, your stuck with H&R's, which will give you the stance you want. just be sure to upgrade your shocks if your still running the originals, because from what ppl say it would harshen the ride a lot otherwise (it's going to anyway because of the springs, but you can help with that by using good new shocks.)
but if your more of just a highway cruzer and won't see much in terms of bumpy roads and you just want a lownslow cruzer, throw on the H&R's and just drive it. it's still less bumpy of a ride than a big jacked up 4x4. |
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a914622
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 923
Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: |
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If you looking for the 1 inch lower AND want a little stiffer ride look at the chevy s-10 lowering front springs.
Im going to switch back to them for the carat ones. Same height stiffer ride.
Shocks, I would recommend Konis set to middle soft.
jcl
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Alaric.H
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009
Posts: 2529
Location: Sandy Springs GA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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| airkooledchris wrote: |
to be short, if you live in the USA currently, your stuck with H&R's, which will give you the stance you want. just be sure to upgrade your shocks if your still running the originals, because from what ppl say it would harshen the ride a lot otherwise (it's going to anyway because of the springs, but you can help with that by using good new shocks.)
but if your more of just a highway cruzer and won't see much in terms of bumpy roads and you just want a lownslow cruzer, throw on the H&R's and just drive it. it's still less bumpy of a ride than a big jacked up 4x4. |
You can get the German Weitec Lowering Springs they are way better quality the H&R sagged in a week and they would not take them back when I Called them on it . As far as jacked up 4x4s the syncro rides way better But the handling is better on the lowered van. |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Alaric.H wrote: |
| You can get the German Weitec Lowering Springs they are way better quality the H&R sagged in a week and they would not take them back when I Called them on it . As far as jacked up 4x4s the syncro rides way better But the handling is better on the lowered van. |
I second this. I am not crazy about my H&Rs. I would go for the Weitecs, or wait to see what Loogy comes up with. He seems to have a nice rig, look for pictures of it in the wheels thread, he knows what a lowered van should roll like.
You might also check into bags. You don't have to slam it to the pavement, a couple of Sambanistas here have vans on air, and look up Slammagon by OldSkoolDub over on the Vortex. I plan to take out my H&Rs and replace them with Slam Specialties bags soon.
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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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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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and I did phone and e-mail H&R and got no reply.
_________________
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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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5528
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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If anybody needs help getting ahold of H&R, let me know and I will see what I can do. I have an "inside line" up there.
As for the new line of springs (not H&R), the very first set is in testing and the plan is to offer a few different final ride height options. This process is going to take a while, so don't hold your breath waiting. However, it WILL happen.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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pern
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2009
Posts: 2
Location: Norway
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:37 am Post subject: |
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| loogy wrote: |
If anybody needs help getting ahold of H&R, let me know and I will see what I can do. I have an "inside line" up there.
As for the new line of springs (not H&R), the very first set is in testing and the plan is to offer a few different final ride height options. This process is going to take a while, so don't hold your breath waiting. However, it WILL happen. |
Some news about those springs ?
Per. |
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Zero419
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008
Posts: 2160
Location: PA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:39 am Post subject: |
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does lowering your van using only springs change the stock geometry and mess with other things?
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| hero419 wrote: |
| does lowering your van using only springs change the stock geometry and mess with other things? |
you need to get an alignment done after changing the springs.
_________________
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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Zero419
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008
Posts: 2160
Location: PA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:57 am Post subject: |
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Right, but I was thinking more like force vectors pointing towards the edge of the tread surface rather then the center.
(I am talking out my rear, but I think it is somthing I heard somwhere along the way.)
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:59 am Post subject: |
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getting an alignment will sort all that out.
_________________
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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Zero419
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008
Posts: 2160
Location: PA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe it's tire size that I am thinking of.
If you put a wider tire on, or have the wrong rim offset, then the force is still pointing to where the stock (thinner) tire center would have been.
correct me if I am way off.
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1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
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