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jackbombay Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007 Posts: 2723 Location: Eastern Idaho
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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My Westy had Carat springs, so it was "lowered", but I put notably larger wheels and tires on it t bring it back op, so overall height remained about the same, or slightly lower, so I didn't have an MPG penalty from lifting the van, but ground clearance was significantly increased. If Im going to go "offroading" it'll be on 2 wheels or on foot, but the extra ground clearance was nice and came in handy here and there. _________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
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idahoskier Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2009 Posts: 161 Location: Donnelly, ID
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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Oldskewl - Years of happiness and adventure with this van. Thanks again
Benandmj - No issues... yet I have in excess of 20,000 miles like this and I installed new CVs around the time of the lift. I repacked once and flipped them. They looked OK to me at that time. I would wager that they will have a shorter life expectancy because of the lift but I am OK with that. I do not believe there is much of a weight difference between the EJ22 and VW 2.1. _________________ 85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold |
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benandmj Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012 Posts: 550 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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idahoskier wrote: |
Been running syncro rear springs with my stock 85 fronts for a few years now. I really like the spring rate of the syncro springs... With four bikes on the back it barely squats at all. I really wish I could get fronts with the same spring rate. I have added monroe coil over shocks in front and they help a little. The van is still raked but not too bad 18.25" front and 19" rear axle center to fender. Its functional
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Cool! Any CV issues? Also, I can't remember if the wbx is heavier than your suby. _________________ 85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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oldskewlsk8ter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 347 Location: Texas
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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idahoskier wrote: |
Been running syncro rear springs with my stock 85 fronts for a few years now. I really like the spring rate of the syncro springs... With four bikes on the back it barely squats at all. I really wish I could get fronts with the same spring rate. I have added monroe coil over shocks in front and they help a little. The van is still raked but not too bad 18.25" front and 19" rear axle center to fender. Its functional
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I really miss that Van. Lookin good tho! _________________ 1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project |
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idahoskier Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2009 Posts: 161 Location: Donnelly, ID
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Been running syncro rear springs with my stock 85 fronts for a few years now. I really like the spring rate of the syncro springs... With four bikes on the back it barely squats at all. I really wish I could get fronts with the same spring rate. I have added monroe coil over shocks in front and they help a little. The van is still raked but not too bad 18.25" front and 19" rear axle center to fender. Its functional
_________________ 85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold |
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DAV!D Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2013 Posts: 979 Location: EL CAMINO
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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I figured I'd give a little research I just did on my own vans..
My 86 2wd (which I'm converting to a Syncro) & the 84 Donor Westy which I have seem to have the exact same ride height.
I measured from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the wheel well.
On both vans the front was 17 & 1/8" the Rears were roughly 17 & 1/2"
On my Syncro which doesn't have a motor or rear shocks.
The front was 19 1/2" the rear was 20".
Measuring like this means tire size has no influence and I was able to quickly tell that it seems my 86 tin top has the same springs as the 84 donor.
Another thing to note, is I've removed the roof of the Westy for my pop top swap as well as the rear folding seat/rear cabinets. The Tin Top is also empty inside.
Also keep in mind I've completed the rear half of my Syncro conversion, so the motor/trans sits a bit lower, the gas tank is in the rear and the motor is actually a bit lighter than a stock WBX. Meaning there is still a chance that the Westy springs might give a small amount of lift to the rear but it seems to be the same in the front. _________________ 86 Syncro Build - Ecotec Motor Swap - Pop Top Conversion - Camper Build & Syncro Conversion |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:02 am Post subject: |
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if GW or Schwenks are going to be purchased....all 4 are recommended. |
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benandmj Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012 Posts: 550 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 5:38 am Post subject: |
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There's an Austrailian guy who posted in the Prerunner Vans thread with an 85 panel with syncro springs in the back. Not sure whats in his van, it may be light, but it looks pretty raked. _________________ 85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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baghall Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Australia
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Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:40 am Post subject: |
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Ok guys thanks for the tips very much appreciated. I am definitely using the syncro rear springs was just hoping the fronts were longer as well. I actually got all four springs for $200 which seems like a good price in aussie land. My understanding is the rears will give nearly 2" lift. This may compensate some of the rear sag but will need to pack the drivers side due to the cabinets I am installing.
Looks like I might have to get the Gowesty fronts at some time. I already have an inch lift in the front due to tyre size but am not satisfied with what I have on the rears ATM as they are just too large a diameter, and I am worried about breaking the transaxle.
It's all fun and games till you break something! |
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DAV!D Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2013 Posts: 979 Location: EL CAMINO
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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benandmj wrote: |
I've been sitting on a pair of Syncro rear springs for a while now. I guess I need to be the guinnea pig to see haw they pair up with my yall 85 front springs. I have a feeling they'll give me too much lift but we'll see. I've got a saggy ass that needs attention... |
This is what I'm curious of. I'm halfway through my Syncro conversion but the front half will be put on hold till next winter. Due to this I didn't use the Syncro rear springs on my converted van because they would sit way higher than the front being it's still the stock 2wd front end on a tin top body (soon to be pop top).
I've since bought a 84 Westy as a donor for my pop top conversion and I'm curious if I'd get enough lift out of the front springs vs my 86 tin top springs to be able to use the rear synco springs now. _________________ 86 Syncro Build - Ecotec Motor Swap - Pop Top Conversion - Camper Build & Syncro Conversion |
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benandmj Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012 Posts: 550 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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I've been sitting on a pair of Syncro rear springs for a while now. I guess I need to be the guinnea pig to see haw they pair up with my yall 85 front springs. I have a feeling they'll give me too much lift but we'll see. I've got a saggy ass that needs attention... _________________ 85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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shadetreetim Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011 Posts: 1994 Location: Riverside, California
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Since you're driving a tintop, you can run Westy springs in the back to gain some lift. _________________ Tim Potts
Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!
'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5 |
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DAV!D Samba Member
Joined: September 10, 2013 Posts: 979 Location: EL CAMINO
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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On this same topic, I've read in the past, that the 84 and 85 Westys had the tallest front springs of all Vanagon in stock form. I was wondering if the 84 and 85 springs are the same? I've seen some people say both model years and I've seen others say just the 85 was the tallest.
Assuming the 84 springs are the same as the 85, would swapping a set of 84 springs which I have, lift the front of my current 2wd front end on my 86 Van? If so does anyone know how much I'd gain? _________________ 86 Syncro Build - Ecotec Motor Swap - Pop Top Conversion - Camper Build & Syncro Conversion |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32634 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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crazyvwvanman Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9939 Location: Orbiting San Diego
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:04 am Post subject: |
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While the Syncro front springs are too short and won't help you the Syncro rear springs are longer and will definitely raise it up. Maybe too much. Watch the shock absorber travel range and CV joint angles.
Mark |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6833 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 5:24 am Post subject: |
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Dont waste your time, they are shorter.
GW 1.5s, Schwenk 1.5s or Burley parts will lift a 2wd van. |
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baghall Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Australia
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:23 am Post subject: |
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rubbachicken wrote: |
welcome
i think syncro springs are actually shorter, the list is done through different suspension, and an added subframe. |
I don't want to read this. I was told that they would give me lift, so if not I have wasted only $200. Will find out soon. Plan to do the work in 2 weeks. |
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rubbachicken Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2004 Posts: 3058 Location: socal
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:27 am Post subject: |
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welcome
i think syncro springs are actually shorter, the list is done through different suspension, and an added subframe. _________________ lucy our westy
lucy's BIG adventure
meet 'burni'
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182 |
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baghall Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2010 Posts: 12 Location: Australia
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 11:37 pm Post subject: lifting a 2WD |
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Hi,
I have just been reading some of the posts on lifting a 2WD but didn't find anything on using syncro springs to do this. I was wondering whether I coud use front and rear springs to lift my bus, as I was told to get springs from a ford for the front. Was hoping that the sycro springs would do. They are in good condition. Also wondering what, if any, other mods are needed, particularly to the front, such as steering, sway bar etc.
Thanks
Included 2 photos from a trip I did near the end of 2014 with her. Over 2000kms covered in 2 weeks finishing with a Kombi Klub weekend.
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