Date:         Mon, 9 Jun 2008 21:58:09 -0700
Reply-To:     BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Cutting bumpstops on lowered 88 2wd Doka with H&R springs
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We have all heard how harsh the ride is on lowered Vanagons which use the
H&R purple springs.
At the suggestion of someone who had similar set-up in his Westy I went
about to cut the bump-
stops on my front shocks. You see the ride of the H&R equipped Vanagon is
relatively firm but
acceptable for me. The problem was the body bottomed out on every big bump.
I have to admit that
I was initially apprehensive that cutting about an inch off the bumpstops
was going to be enough.

Well, I embarked on this project today. Basically you take the shocks out of
the front. Takes the
sleeve/boot off. Note that there are 5 disc-like rings on top of the sleeve.
Those are your bump
stops. I cut two rings off then duct-taped the upper and lower halves
because I did not have any
means to glue them together. The seams is hidden by part of the A-arms. I
would liken this to
cutting two washers off the five.

Result is a delightful ride. I still firmer than normal but acceptable IMHO.
So if you have installed
H&R's and are/were unhappy, you might want to consider this option. I almost
installed a $1500
air-suspension system to keep the low stance. Now I can save that mod for my
Syncro  instead.

There is some concern about bottoming out the shock since there are less
bumpstops. I am
using Bilstein HD's. I will find out soon enough I suppose.


BenT