Date:         Tue, 7 Jan 2003 10:37:01 -0500
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: ride heights - SHOULD I OFFER THIS?
In-Reply-To:  <000701c2b658$cb51d3f0$3ab97ed8@myselff4nx2kzt>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

>Problem: I have an 85 westy with a sagging rear end.
> Allow me to share the fix I did on my '85 Vanagon.
> http://www.knology.net/~vw/vanagon/sag/


As some of you know. I sell a set of aftermarket springs, from Boge, that
lower the van slightly as well as mostly compensating for the common
left-hand lean.  These are a mild performance spring - their ride is not as
hard as with the H&R springs (which are a high-performance spring, hence
notably stiffer), nor do they lower the van as much as the H&R's.  Basically
they put your van at about the same height as a Wolfsburg Edition - slightly
squatter than a stock Vanagon or Westy, but not a curb-hugger by any means.
My part number is 9878, and they run $361 for a set of four (with listmember
discount).  As the previous Vanagon list member report I copied below
indicates (as well as my own experience, as I have a pair on my own '89
Westy), these significantly reduce, but do not 100% eliminate, the
proverbial "Westy kitchen lean" (unless you also use a small spacer on the
drivers side).

I could, if there were sufficient interest, put together a "customized" set
of springs instead, that has a slightly taller pair (or even just rear) on
the left side than right, thereby compensating for the height difference
completely and eliminating the need for any spacers.

There is already available (for the European market) another version of the
same spring I sell, that is 15mm (0.59") lower than the ones I sell.
Off-the-shelf (if I import them from Europe), I could offer these for the
right side of the van, and the ones I have now for the left.  This could be
done at little or no additional cost, relatively short notice (perhaps 2
months), and no quantity commitment.  Alternatively, I could have some
custom made at any height I specify, although this would involve a
commitment to some volume and potentially a slightly higher cost.  In that
case, I would need a consensus of the desired height difference, and the
number of interested people, as I'd probably have to get about 50 sets made.

Thoughts? Worth persuing?

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  (215) 234-VWVW
  www.busdepot.com

_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders by Part #    1-866-BUS-DEPOT


> I have just installed a set of Boge lowering springs on my '85 Westy,
> 2WD, and my initial reaction is favorable.  Sits a good deal lower.  As
> part of the overall improvement package I have installed 14" factory
> alloys, Kumho "C" rated tires, new shocks, and the springs.  I measured
> from the ground to the bottom of the fender well, and these are my
> measurements:
>                      Before                               After
>                 RF    30"                                26 1/4"
>                 LF     29 1/2"                          26"
>                 RR     28 1/2"                          27 1/2"
>                 LR     27 34"                           26 3/4"
>
> While it isn't perfectly level now, it sure beats the way it was
> before.  I plan on trying shims to bring to true level.  The air lift
> shocks I had bought in the group purchase will not work with the Boge
> lowering springs.   Entering and exiting is much, much, easier. The ride
> is much better, and the semis do not blow me all over the road, though
> there is still some buffeting on some occasions. I have not experienced
> "bottoming out".    Pricey, but the results seem worth the time and
> expense.