Date:         Thu, 16 Dec 2004 09:27:51 -0700
Reply-To:     Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: HELP My wife thiks the van is unsafe
In-Reply-To:  <58FC8D80-4F7A-11D9-B75F-000A958E5A98@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

I replaced the shocks with OME's, but my '87 Westy Syncro has stock springs.
I commute 4 days per week and coming home I use a freeway offramp which has
a long sweeping right, climbing turn and I often pass other cars, SUV's,
trucks, etc. on that ramp. Not trying to just a comfortable and safe speed.
I haven't found anything about this or the other 2 Westy's I've had to "feel
top heavy" and unsafe. They may "look" that way due to the square-sided,
flat, tall appearance of the van, but that has nothing to do with the actual
performance and handling.

Has your wife taken this van out and driven it? Maybe it's as simple as that
... without the children in it.

Bob Stevens
'87 Westy Syncro
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tiico



Almost all SUV's have a higher center of gravity than a standard car. If
your van feels tipsy, it is probably time to get new shocks...You may also
need to get new springs (21 year vehicle, think about it.)

I know that when the springs and shocks were replace in my Syncro Westy it
felt WORLDS better (yes, I went to stiffer springs and shocks....but the old
ones were so worn, it was unsafe anyway.)


On Dec 16, 2004, at 10:20 AM, Dave Chameides wrote:

>Hey All,
>So now that I’ve got the van all fixed up and have put time and money into
>it, my wife is telling me that she is concerned that the van is unsafe for
>our kids to ride in it.  Now before I go on I should note that it’s and 83
>diesel 1.6 and I have personally checked all seatbelts and seat tracks,
>etc.
>to assure her (and me) that it’s safe.  She’s mainly worried about tipping
>over.  Any thoughts on any studies on this so I can allay her fears?
>
>Dave