Date:         Mon, 28 Feb 2000 15:22:48 EST
Reply-To:     Syncro5@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Herman <Syncro5@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Taller Syncro Springs, Problems? (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hey There Volks,

    Has anyone had any problems with taller syncro spring? I'll share my
experience with lifting my 86 syncro Westy.
    Last summer I set out to raise the ground clearance on my van. First, I
installed 15" Rehin alloy rims from Ken at Vanagain and 235 x 75 x15" All
Terrain T/A's. I liked the look and ride but the tires rubbed on the rear of
the front wheel well.
    Next came the Syncro Lift Kit from Fast Forward. David was very
knowledgeable and his parts arrived in a couple of days. I installed the rear
spacers myself and brought the front springs to the Volks Cafe to be
installed. One thing I found is that the stock rear shocks on my van had
about 4 1/2" of travel at rest on level ground, with the shocks limiting the
travel. With the rear spacers it cut that number to 2 1/2", and caused the
shocks to make a loud "clunk" when toppingout out.
    My next step was to get longer shocks. I went to a 4x4 shop and bought
shocks made for a ch*vy truck, which had 3 more inches of travel. I then cut
the mounting eyes off the Ranchos and had the eyes from my old Boges welded
on. No more clunking, but the tires still rubbed a little.
    My next step was to get the 16" fender flares, after selling my house to
afford them :-). These require cutting the rear part of the front wheel well
about 1" to install. This cured the rubbing problem and they look great.
    What I see still as a problem is the axles and CV's. They are running at
a much more severe angle and instead of the shocks limiting the rear travel
the CV's go to their limit, especially in the rear. I have been following the
16" trailing arm thread because I want these for clearance for snow chains,
but I think longer trailing arms will compound my problem.
    Any thoughts or comments?
    Also, questions about my setup are welcome.

Ken Herman
86 Syncro Westy.