Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2010 09:08:58 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Shocks: Follow-up report/impressions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Not long ago I posted, reporting having installed some Gabriel gas front
shocks onto my low roof, most of the Westie interior, 84 5sp Inline VW gas
motored van. The shocks were sourced from Bus Depot, $44.90 for the
pair...I forgot Ron gives a discount to list members, but these shocks
seemed an extra- good deal anyway. They're a substantial improvement over
the black-bodied (couldn't find a brand) ones I took off, even though those
older ones still 'felt' fully functional when I flexed them on my
workbench.
I am running some Hakkapelitta 1 205-70 R-14 M+S tires on all four
corners of the van, inflated to 44fr and 41r.
One trusted lister mentioned he'd been using Monroes on his adventure
wagon van, so when I saw an advertisement from Advance Auto for free
shipping (we don't have a store around here) I got a pair of those sent out
for the rear of my van. Gas-Matic light truck, with a Limited Lifetime
Replacement warranty...for just $21.99... I replaced KYB ones with the
Monroes on the rear. So for under $100, I made an excellent improvement to
my van's drive ability... the cost of a couple of tanks of gas only!
Changing the rears was not so noticeable at high speed highway driving as
when I did the fronts, but I have noticed that the rear no longer feels like
a stagecoach or an unloaded one ton dually truck when I drive on rougher
roads at slower speeds...or on my gravel driveway. Those KYBs felt and
sounded like someone was under there whacking the wheels with a 4x4, over
even small bumps.
Of interest...the rear suspension on the Vanagon doesn't seem to have
much "suspension" to it, anyhow. I notice when lifting the rear with a
floor jack on the stamped out trailing arm...that flat spot where the CV
joint lives...the wheel doesn't compress much before the van comes off the
ground. Or when you lift off the jack point near the rear, the wheel
doesn't "droop" much either. Well, I forgot to cut off one of the Monroe
shock 'retaining strap' a piece of plastic banding that holds the shock
slightly compressed against the gas pressure during shipping. I mounted the
shocks and simply forgot that strap...on one side only...I drove around for
two days before I noticed...and the plastic strap was still intact....So
obviously the rear suspension doesn't travel (extension) very much....I cut
off that tether and the van did rise up about 1/2" on that corner....
Gotta love our old vans. The stuff They put up with from us clutzy
owners.
Another observation: My van is working so nicely right now, it's a real
pleasure. Yesterday I had to go to town (about 30 miles round trip) on a
nasty cold rainy day. In my yard was my van and my S.O.'s Subaru.. side by
side, both gassed up and pointing down the driveway. My SO is off to the
desert and left me the Subie for use as I choose, but I chose the take the
Vanagon to town... 20-XX Subaru, automatic, new tires,good heater, auto
tranny, AWD, fancy little unit. I went out the door fully intending to
'take advantage' of having the use of her Subie....but I just went...."I
like driving my Vanagon better, don't need that steenkin Subaru..."...
Don Hanson
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