Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 04:50:05 EDT
Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: 2wd springs
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I installed the Sychro.org 2wd springs a few years back. The ride became
much more comfortabel with the new springs compaired to my old tired sagging
springs. I didn't notice any difference at all in ride height.
My bus, a 1983.5 Westfalia, still lists to the left. List wisdom (no pun
intended) suggests the bus listed to the left even when it drove off the lot due
to uneven weight distribution. I dunno if I buy that exaclty. Seems to me if
the springs were strong enough from the factory--and for arguement lets say
they were--the bus would have sat practically if not actually level. Yes, I
understand the left side is heavier. But stronger springs of the same height
would logically raise the left side to be equal with the right. That is to say,
within reason, and at some point, a spring which is, let's say 12 inches
long won't ever raise the right side more than 12 inches. If it's strong enough
it will raise the left up to the height of the right without shims.
If they weren't so darn expensive I'd go to VW for replacement springs.
I hate the listing. I've heard shims on one side will solve the problem with
the Sychro.org springs. The shimming seems complicated and so I have avoided
it.
And I still say VW back in the day didn't let the busses roll off the lot
listing.
My guess is with the performance springs the ride will be stiffer. And if
you use the Westfalia for camping some of the extra ground clearance from
"stock" springs will come in very handy on bumpy dirt roads through a state or
national park or camp ground. Bottoming out is for amatures and EuroVans. On
the other hand if you have issues getting the bus into your garage the lower
springs might prove beneficial enough to make the lack of ground clearance a
worthwhile sacrifice.
Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA
In a message dated 6/23/2005 10:18:43 PM Pacific Standard Time,
icecoldvw@HOTMAIL.COM writes:
am looking for new springs and I was wondering if anyone could comment on
the difference between the springs at syncro.org and the springs from
Busdepot. Or if you're satisfied or not with either.