Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2020 09:44:09 -0800
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Bilstein shock query
In-Reply-To: <023a01d5e28c$34327b00$9c977100$@t3technique.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Yup, I would have cut a stock pair of shocks and added adjustable perch as you mentioned some years ago if I coudl have got my hands on some used shocks. :-)
And yes, the shims rather than screw adjustment method to adjust perch is my preferred approach. Despite the big temptation to spend the day programming and cutting an acme thread operation on the mill. Thread milling is such a delight to do when I get it right. Only done smaller threads so far.
If I can be assured that the B4 do come with separate perch, please say again that they do, I like your suggestion to use them for a less harsh ride.
It’s a frustration for me, the relative paucity of shock choices. At work we fairly frequently have late model tacos and forerunners in for wheel, bumper, rock sliders, and under armour installs. And often new shocks. The relatively stock shocks and springs taken off and quite expensive remote reservoir ( old man emu, rock shox, etc) shocks installed. If only I could use the discards.
Alistair
> On Feb 13, 2020, at 8:39 AM, christopher@t3technique.com wrote:
>
> Yes, it's true. The Syncro B4s come with an integrated perch while the Syncro B6s (14" and 16" version) come with a separate perch. And yes, I definitely know the appeal of having a separate perch. However, you (Alistair) have the ability to machine a perch of your own. You could easily cut the welded on perch off of the B4s leaving a small ring with which to rest your new perch down onto. The Trailmaster shocks use this method (a welded on ring) in conjunction with an aluminum perch, then they use small rings that you can stack to fine tune the front ride height. Just throwing out ideas.
>
> Christopher
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Alistair Bell
> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2020 8:17 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Bilstein shock query
>
> Thanks Chris,
>
> But still a little confusion. Looking at van cafe listing for the Syncro 16 front shocks, which although not mentioned in ad, I’m assuming it’s the B6, it shows the spring perch separate part ( located on ring on shock body).
> The other bilstein shocks shown on go westy have integral spring perch.
>
> You know the temptation is great to go for the separate spring perch. Could shim for height adjustment.
>
> Alistair
>
>> On Feb 13, 2020, at 6:36 AM, christopher@t3technique.com wrote:
>>
>> The black Bilstein shocks are B4s (standard) and the yellow are B6s (which many refer to as "HD").
>>
>> Christopher
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Alistair Bell
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 6:08 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Bilstein shock query
>>
>> That’s interesting dan. I’m still not sure if the HD bilsteins you reference are the b6 or b4, or a third option?
>>
>> Chris’ comment about the b6 being quite firm gives me pause. I still like the idea of them , but I’m thinking more. That’s hard :-)
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>>>> On Feb 12, 2020, at 9:52 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> I have 2 tintop syncro..
>>> the white 1990 has stock springs and OME shocks front and rear, empty it sits about 1" taller than 2WD van or westy, 14" OEM alloys rims, General Grabber ATX 27X8.5 tires.
>>> the beige 1991 has Schwenk springs by the previous owner and I installed recently HD Bilstein shocks front and rear, empty it sits about 1" taller than the white van, BFG AT KO2 215/65x16 tires on 16" Borbet rims.
>>> somehow I feel that the ride (both empty vans) on the white one is a bit smoother than the beige one, fully loaded the difference is less obvious but it's there. I'd think the difference in the ride is due the the stiffness of the side wall of the tires (BFG vs. General Grabber) combined with the age of the shocks - the OME shocks is older than he HD Bilstein.
>>>
>>> dan
>>
>
| 
