Date:         Mon, 14 Oct 2002 15:15:41 EDT
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Airbag suspension for Vanagon?
Comments: To: mk1madness@HOTMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 10/14/02 11:58:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
mk1madness@HOTMAIL.COM writes:
*snip*
<< Would it be possible to put an airbag suspension in a Vanagon?  Has it
ever been done?  >>

 I think this would work, as long as I don't put on a set of gold-plated
multi-spoke 13" wheels and whitewall tires. :-) >>

Kenneth,

There doesn't appear to be enough room for the currently available airbags to
fit in the confines of the Vanagon front suspension. One outfit came to SF to
demo their system on a bug. Said they would research Syncros and Vanagons.
They subsequently stopped returning calls. From what I found in my limited
research, the smallest available airbags are two inches too big. They have
these airbag systems within a hard steel casing which might work. However,
they are currently only made for small compact cars like the Honda Civic.

As for accesorizing after the fact, you do not need spoke wheels to qualify.
You only need a small chain steering wheel which incidentally would make a
good spot for tying your chair to keep it from moving around.

BenT