FutureVan

[Merian]

you know you want it... or something like it


You can add this active swaybar (which can be found in junkyards; used on the Porsche 'pepperpot' SUV)

[Merian]

Air Suspension...

http://www.porsche.com/australia/models/cayenne/cayenne-s/chassis/air-suspension/


or rip one off of the newer Jeep Cherokee:

http://www.wk2jeeps.com/wk2_quadralift.htm


- either way, you get self-leveling which helps for sleeping and headlight aim variation with different loads

[Merian]

or...

[boof1306]

I hate to rain on your parade but the electronics behind making those sway bars work are complex and not a retrofit proposition as they require inputs from other control units.

[Team WorldTour]

[insyncro]

The only limiting factor for all upgrades will be the budget of the van owner.
Anything is possible

Happy New Year.

[Butcher]

Which is to say it is impossible.

[Merian]

some things are impossible, but what we think of as impossible often becomes merely hideously expensive, followed by luxury, then by std. equipment on all cars


Here is an old old idea from the guy who started the whole "VW thing," now coming back into prominence:

[Butcher]

[IdahoDoug]

Agree that active swaybar would be a non starter for a retrofit. It relies upon a large data flow from a variety of sensors. The sensors in turn feed a processor, which then tells the powerful swaybar activation what to do. This must happen in real time.

Even if all the components were in place there is no data map for what the system should do for a Vanagon, to assist in its handling. Those maps are created by teams of engineers, track time and simulators.

So, it is a pretty daunting task, and the skills to do it would not likely reside outside of an automaker's suspension engineering department, or a sizable vendor tasked with doing this specifically for the automaker under a spendy contract.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Merian]

that won't stop someone from trying to hack one in - it is a VW after all

[240Gordy]

Oh somebody will hack it. It might not be as sophisticated as the Porsche but someone will.

After Greg got the Subie deisel going I will never say never again.
_________________
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

[240Gordy]

[Type17]

I'd just be happy with a sway bar that could be decoupled on the fly.

Which is totally possible, but still not worth it.

[insyncro]

[IdahoDoug]

Decoupler = easy peasy. Powered, active swaybar tailored to the Vanagon = nearly impossible without automaker-grade resources.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[ALIKA T3]

[MsTaboo]

[insyncro]

[Merian]

To many Vanagonites, styling is much more important than utility, so how about...