Lifting or lowering an 85 VW Camper

[PortlandVWOwner]

I have a VW camper that sway and bounces. I just replaced the shocks (with Bilstein Shocks & Struts), and had all of my bushings replaced so I am figuring out that the springs are just old and tired and need to be replaced. Most of what I am finding online are for either lifting or lowering my van. I have never really considered either option before. What are the benefits or drawbacks of each?

[Yellow Rabbit]

What tires do you have? Going from under rated 14" tires to 16" makes a huge difference in how much it bounces and sways.

[levi]

Swaying and/or bouncing is not caused by the springs.

Tires, anti-sway bar, and shocks are covering that.

Unfortunately brand new bilsteins, (in my experience and humble opinion) are progenitors of bouncing around and swaying.

New springs, the same as your existing springs, will NOT help, unless your old springs actually have a piece broken off.

If your old springs have sagged then the new springs will lift the van to it's original height but there won't be any difference in bouncing or swaying.

Also, springs that will lift it will probably amplify the bounce and swaying.
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One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
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Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

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[jimf909]

[dougass]

Sway:
Get a T3 Sway bar to start, add end link bushings and steering rack bushings and this will drastically reduce sway and improve steering feel & response.

Bounce:
The shocks and springs need to compliment one another. From my experience and mamy others, lowering springs need much stiffer shocks than the Billsteins.
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'91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.

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[danfromsyr]

tires not springs.

must be as close to a load rating of 100 as you can.. 97 or better

and if it starts with a P for Passenger, well you may drive a passenger van, but it's a LT Light truck in use/function/weight requirements
they wouldn't have a P if they weren't required to make the designation.

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[davevickery]

Does your van sit level? The 85s have a tendency to sit higher in the front. Measure your center of axle to fender on all 4 wheels and someone can give you better advice about your springs.

I like a ride height of around 17". That gives you more clearance if you are going offroad not to hit things and isn't too tall to cause handling issues. The Carat springs are much lower and stiffer and a lot of people like them for on road stability. There are a lot of different springs for a 2wd van, the 85 was a weird year where they tried something different. There are a few aftermarket springs that will give you the firmness of the Carat springs in a taller ride height.

[PortlandVWOwner]

Firstly, I would like to thank those who replied to my question. The tires on the van are 14" 8 ply truck tires with a load index of 100P, My van sits a little higher in the front. I had all of the bushings replaced. and every mechanic that has looked at the suspension said that everything is fully tight. I also replaced the tie rods and had a front end alignment with no appreciable difference. I will have to check into a T3 swaybar. Any other ideas? Again, thanks for the input.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

IF and I mean IF everything is as close to new as possible, what is your air pressure?

I fixed a messed up riding vanatoilet (it truly was a turd) after it had been to a shop that had 58 psi in all of the tires. adjusted the air pressure to what it should have been and thought the guy was going to kiss me....

was running the conti tires as I recall...
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[Yellow Rabbit]