Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 09:04:37 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Shocks
In-Reply-To: <BLU405-EAS22943B1122F5444C4782CDBC0BA0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Mike,
Thanks for this info. this matches what a few others are telling me.
My van will be kept on the light side as much as possible for a westy. it will never come close to the weight yours is running at!
Best,
Eric
> On Jun 13, 2015, at 8:53 AM, Mike <mikesaintamour@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Eric:
>
> You have plenty of lift on your van and unless you are planning on loading it down a lot more than you have already, I would forego the spring kit. We are running at 6300 pounds which is much heavier than stock. I also did not see any sag in your vehicle. As mentioned earlier the spring upgrade changes the ride dramatically. You will feel and hear every bump in the road if you change to the heavier springs.
>
> Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Albert Einstein
> Mike Saint-Amour
> www.slowcarfasthouse.com
>
>
>> On Jun 12, 2015, at 6:10 PM, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>>
>> OK,
>>
>> I’m planning on purchasing the go Westy special designed shocks.
>>
>> so, related question, how do I know if I need to also get the heavy duty springs? the springs on my 85 look clean and nice ant the back is sitting high. However the back looks to have a spacer under the top of the spring and there is a small device in the spring that i think expands to raise the back.
>>
>> any thoughts on how important it is to get the new springs? What improvements or changes in the van are we likely to see?
>> I’d like to hear from folks who changed the springs.
>>
>> thanks for the advice and tips!
>>
>> the safer and more stable my van the better. remember being blind I have drivers with different skills and habits driving the van.
>>
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 85 GL Auto westfalia
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>>> On Jun 12, 2015, at 2:00 PM, Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:
>>>
>>> On my Subaru Westy I'm running Koni adjustable shocks, Addco swaybars
>>> (1" front, 7/8" rear), standard springs and 215/65x16 tires (Michelin
>>> Defender, load rating 98). For the first year the shocks were adjusted
>>> full soft rebound, but now they are fully broken in and are adjusted at
>>> 2 clicks more stiff. The ride is extremely comfortable and secure. The
>>> handling is very stable and crisp. I am extremely satisfied with the
>>> suspension and handling with this setup. Being able to adjust only the
>>> rebound on the Konis is ideal because you can firm up the ride without
>>> making it harsh when you hit tar strips and bumps. If you go too stiff
>>> with the adjustments you can experience "pump down" which is very harsh
>>> but at the softer settings this is absolutely not experienced with Konis
>>> on the Westy.
>>>
>>> I've had KYB shocks and I found them to be very harsh without much
>>> control when they got some age on them. Before the Konis I had
>>> Bilsteins (Heavy Duty, B46830 and B46820) with the same tires and sway
>>> bars and, while they gave a good ride I felt they did not offer the
>>> control I wanted. I've not experienced the custom valved Bilsteins of
>>> GoWesty so I can't comment on personal experience. However, their
>>> description of their valve modification sounds like they have made the
>>> needed improvements.
>>>
>>> Ed
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