Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 12:48:05 -0800
Reply-To: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
In-Reply-To: <0ED258C4-754A-4136-AA96-6D76263ECAE0@gmail.com>
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Thanks Chris, now that's what I'm talking about!
You all have been around buses way more than I, but often I get a sense the general interest is to keep buses mostly stock to enable stock aftermarket parts being more available (?). I am careful not to over-modify, but that said it seems my needs demand some upgrades.
Hope that philosophy doesn't harm any fellow Vanagonites, I love this community and intend to support it as much as I can.
Eric
Eric Wunrow Pictures
85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
Lakewood, CO 80228
303. 988. 8717
VW@EricWunrow.com
On Nov 15, 2014, at 2:57 PM, Chris S. <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro and they are wonderful.
>
> Chris.
>
> Wysłane z iPhone'a
>
> Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM> napisał(a):
>
>> Hello:
>>
>>
>> I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit more civil… and helpful.
>>
>>
>> We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months before leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes… and perhaps equal parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
>>
>> I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought the mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it keeps coming loose and knocking toe way out… last time it was over AN INCH out, and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking our new BFG ATs. Ugh.
>>
>> The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts, as I do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the arms need to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well, what are my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I saw a gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox shocks and it looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort for off road softness before parts start flying off at will.
>>
>> We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds I do not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing (Ahem, sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. So anything I can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to remote places is partly why we live in it.
>>
>> Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of this work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative tire store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to ask if such an upgrade is within his realm.
>>
>>
>> Thanks in Advance,
>>
>> Eric
>> Eric Wunrow Pictures
>> 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
>> Lakewood, CO 80228
>>
>> 303. 988. 8717
>> VW@EricWunrow.com
>
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