Date:         Fri, 13 Oct 2000 08:05:11 -0400
Reply-To:     Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Stearns <gstearns@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Lowering your Van- again

My experiences are different than most I've seen posted.  I had H&R's
installed in our '88 Weekender along with Bilsteins.  I found that the H&R's
were too low and not stiff enough!   I concluded that H&R uses the same part
number for air-cooled and water-cooled Vanagons.  They might be right for
the lighter air-cooled, but they are completely overwhelmed by the weight of
the waterboxer.  Comparing the H&R's side by side with stock, they are a
much thinner gauge wire, and weigh much less.  I went back to stock springs
(purchased from R.Lilley) and (insert flame here) lowered them slightly by
heating and collapsing.  Very satisfactory result with the Bilsteins.  No,
they haven't cracked or continued to collapse.  For handling purposes I also
have set the front & rear camber to 1 degree negative. The potential for
increased tire wear has not shown up, and  the grip of the front end in
corners is much better.  IMHO VW specs non-aggressive alignment settings to
keep the product liability lawyers at bay.   I'm prepared to catch the
potential oversteer (which also hasn't shown up yet).

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Todd Last <rubatoguy@MINDSPRING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2000 4:46 PM
Subject: Re: Lowering your Van- again


> KYBs are terrible with the H&R springs as well.
> IMHO the H&Rs are too low and too stiff.
>
> Todd
> '88 Westy
>
>
>
> Mark Mages <wasserbox@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> > H&R Also makes lowering springs for about $100 lessthan the busdepot
kit.
> Just remember that you need performance shocks with a
> lowering kit.  Bilsteins are ~$80 ea from the busdepot
> (cheapest place I've found).  I dunno if I'd trust
> Boge's or KYB's with a lowering kit.  I put Boge's
> temporarily on with my H&R kit for the car, and blew
> them in 2 weeks.
> Bilstein PN
> Front: B46-0820
> Rear: B46-0830
>
>
>
> --- The Bus Depot  wrote:
> > > What is the skinny on How Low Can You Go?
> > > Products available on the open market? Tires &
> > Rims, etc.
> >
> >
> > My Boge high-performance lowered springs are one
> > option.  For under $400,
> > they will both lower your van and improve
> > performance.
> >
> > - Ron Salmon
> >   The Bus Depot, Inc.
> >   http://www.busdepot.com
> >   (215) 234-VWVW
>
>
> =====
> Mark
> Just because you have an opinion, doesn't mean that anyone wants to hear
it
>
> 87 Westfalia Gl
> 84 Scirocco 8v
> http://student.fortlewis.edu/~mwmages/
>
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