Lowering. |
Post Reply | Page 123 13> |
Author | |
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Topic: Lowering. Posted: 14 Jan 06 at 16:51 |
Okay, loads of lowering questions and we keep going over the same stuff so I've written this.. So, you want to lower your van, well done, you've made a wise choice. Lowering your van will..
How low? From the factory VW did a 30mm drop and was fitted to Caravelles, Multivans and most of the special editions as well as being optional on anything else, with the 30mm lower springs you also got shorter front bumpstops but used the standard shock absorbers. Aftermarket lowering kits seem to start at about 45mm and go down to 80mm, but... 60mm kits are probably the most popular, but when going down 60mm there are a few more things you need to take into consideration.
70mm kits, to me are too low, you run out of camber adjustment at the front end, when lowering a van you have to reset the camber and tracking as when the suspension get lower the front camber gets more negative and the tracking changes. Up to 60mm you can just about manage to reset the camber to such a point to where it will go back to factory setting but the adjusters are pretty much on the limits, any lower and the adjusters will be at full adjustment, you end up with negative camber, your steering will be heavy with less self centering and you will scrub your tyres off on the inside. 80mm kits, daft, okay, yeah, how cool are you, all the downsides of 70mm plus you probably don't have a bumpstop in there now so you run the risk of the top arm hitting the seat box! You probably have to run smaller tyres so they don't constantly rub on the inside of the arch and because of this your speedo is on the piss because you have smaller tyres. Also at the rear there is next to no movement in the spring before it hits the bumpstop. Waste of money (In my opinion) IMPORTANT! After lowering by any amount you MUST have the front steering geometry checked and reset. As stated above, as the van gets lower the front wheels get more negative camber, this WILL scrub off your tyres and give dubious handling characteristics. What kit to get? Loads of choice out there now, not like a few years ago, the Germans are the masters of doing things right, do you see them going lower than 60mm? nope. H&R springs, probably the best available, quite expensive, you get what you pay for! Sachs, again not the cheapest but good. JK (Just Kampers) Not sure who makes their springs, shockers by ALKO, bit more heavy duty than stock, kit works well. Koni shock absorbers, respected and loved in Germany Bilstien shock absorbers, Expensive, standard shocks are good, their sport shockers are very stiff indeed! G-max, great budget kit but for the price your better spending that little extra and getting something a little better. Spax, UK made, available from Halfords of all places, they work well. AVO, my favorite, I would say that as I sell them! 45mm and 60mm drops available, 22 point adjustable shockers let you tailor the ride to your own tastes, come with poly bushes. best comprimise for features and cost. Who? T3 tuning Bilstein, Koni, H&R Just Kampers Their own kit Brickwerks AVO 45mm and 60mm kits, plus fitting service!
|
|
Tee3
Admin Group Coprophagous Cretin Joined: 06 Jun 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 9763 |
Posted: 15 Jan 06 at 22:10 |
good stuff!
mine is 60mm AVO (as you well know) and its too low. It looks cool as frozen pizza, but its gradually slicing the shoulders off my tyres. So its going up a bit to 45. Simon, do you still have the measurements we took when we lowered it? Or even the photos that we took before/after? Would be interesting to see how much its settles... I should add that the main problem is the front wheels, i think with a slightly different offset i'd be okay, but thes A3 wheels are quite "sticky-outy"* *technical term. Edited by Tee3 |
|
YOU CANT EDUCATE GAMMON http://www.tee3.co.uk/ |
|
AndyVan
Vanorak BCS Capt'n. Joined: 06 Jun 04 Location: Wales Status: Offline Points: 4847 |
Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 20:03 |
Well explained as per usual that man!!!... ....if the BPV ever gets running properly.. ....will come and have a steering check up matey next time ooop north!!!
|
|
BCS Gaffer and Volkswagen restoring bloke
|
|
Germman
Vanorak Vanarchist. Joined: 26 Sep 04 Location: Coventry Status: Offline Points: 2377 |
Posted: 18 Jan 06 at 10:14 |
I have about 15-20 ,photos ,on how to Lower ,useing a AVO kit !
includeing tools required , no writeing just pictures ,anyuse here ?, they need hosting ,or i can e mail em ,if someone wants to eddit and add some blurb . mark |
|
http://picasaweb.google.com/germmanmark
Coventry near Vanarchy *Wanted mint early AC STUFF* |
|
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Posted: 18 Jan 06 at 17:56 |
Already got it mate, cheers for offer though.
|
|
Fastbus
Yardie Joined: 23 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 719 |
Posted: 23 Jan 06 at 19:04 |
I've seen a nutter in Essex with a green T3 pick up and he has removed the springs completly. Relying on the tyres for suspension i think. Looks cool but he better watch out in case he has a crash. It won't seem so cool then
|
|
Mt3
Yardie Joined: 16 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 448 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 14:07 |
Well Michael if you're selling a slightly second hand AVO 70mm kit, I would be interested. Will you be doing your yourself or will Brickwerks be undertaking. Perhaps the 2 vans need to be done simultaenously !! Cheers Marko
Edited by type25marko |
|
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 18:26 |
I'll probably be taking the 60mm springs off and swapping for 45's. Didn't think he wanted to bother until he had a buyer for the 60's. Mail him and set wheels in motion! |
|
Mt3
Yardie Joined: 16 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 448 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 18:35 |
Already did, are the shocks the same on 45 & 60's or will they go ? While you're around Simon, what cost to lower 60mm & upgrade bushes inc labour, assume all new kit ? Can it be all done in a day ? Edited by type25marko |
|
Skeeb
Vanorak t4 guru Joined: 11 Oct 05 Location: Skeebville Status: Offline Points: 1232621 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 19:30 |
some great info there Si. When i get mine done was going to go 60mm but will consider a 45mm drop instead now. fair play to taking the time to write that laterz skeeb |
|
BCS Welsh massive
From Skeebville Nr Swansea BCS shortest shortboarder 2006 --- BCS Crap Surfer of the year 2007 !!! BCS winner of nothing 2008 :( BCS winner of nothing 2009 :( |
|
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 21:25 |
Labour for lowering - £50 Bushes, pff, theres a list at work and theres a thread on here somewhere with the prices. All can be done in a day with ease so long as nowts knackered. |
|
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 21:29 |
Yes, shockers are same.
|
|
calvin
Yardie Joined: 09 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 957 |
Posted: 24 Jan 06 at 21:37 |
Blimey - wish i lived near huddersfield....
I cant get someone to change a wiper blade for £50 down south. Was quoted "approx £200" from several places for labour to change springs to lowered ones - one quote from a specialist, the other a local independent garage, and my local VW van dealership (who have been ace with other VW cars I've owned, reckoned on similar! - 2-3 hours work I think he said) Whilst i can do it myself, I'd be over there tomorrow for that rate (but for the 500 mile round trip in a 2.1 petrol!) Good on ya, and lucky for those oop norf. |
|
Ever tried eating a clown? They taste funny.
'89 2.1 Westy California darn sarf, Sussex. +++ Still looking for good OSR big bumper corner section PLEASE! +++ |
|
cunning plan
Vanorak Prince of The Darkness Joined: 13 Sep 04 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 2156 |
Posted: 25 Jan 06 at 18:46 |
yup.. you end up doing everything yourself if you want to or nawt! |
|
|
|
Gasman
Newbie Troll. Joined: 01 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Posted: 01 Mar 06 at 22:28 |
But if you want to use the van for anything as uncouth as camping... then ground clearance is a wonderful thing!
The list of benefits is all theoretical anyway. If you want it to handle, fit some better tyres, uprate the shocks but leave the springs alone. Lowering is all about looks, and extreme lowering just looks stupid anyway.... in my humble opinion. It's a VAN!! |
|
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Posted: 01 Mar 06 at 22:33 |
Horses for courses. Live and let live. Ignorance leads to hatred.
|
|
Diablodub
Moderator Group mehcedes... Joined: 13 Oct 05 Location: Stu Land Status: Offline Points: 13596 |
Posted: 02 Mar 06 at 15:11 |
I had good tyres fitted and it wobbled like a Weeble. Now lowered , no wobble and it don't fall down. Have you driven a lowered bus to compare to an un-lowered one ? What da ya mean - it's a VAN ! Stu |
|
brick-yard splitters breakaway judean peoples front cheesy toss wank - Member No 1
07974 787780 - Stu |
|
Germman
Vanorak Vanarchist. Joined: 26 Sep 04 Location: Coventry Status: Offline Points: 2377 |
Posted: 02 Mar 06 at 18:58 |
The race van has been droped 70mm on adjustable AVO"S (realy nice kit
!) and i felt it handled much better, less bother from x winds on
motorways and it went much better around corners and a improvement in
breaking ,as u know ,i use it to haul parts ,daily drive it ,move
furniture race it (vwdrc) and field camp in it ! cant say i have
had any issues with the hight ,even over speed bumps,and it looks cool
(bonus!).
what has realy made a diferance is haveing the whole thing set up corectly by Si , including the polly bush kit and the braided hose kit , plain and simple these are improvments ...BIG improvements theres nothing theoretical in the way it drives now !! ps ITs an atitude ! Edited by germ man |
|
http://picasaweb.google.com/germmanmark
Coventry near Vanarchy *Wanted mint early AC STUFF* |
|
Gasman
Newbie Troll. Joined: 01 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Posted: 05 Mar 06 at 16:59 |
Well, my van is not for show. It's a hard worker and the places I take
it it NEEDS ground clearance. Could do with a Syncro really..
As far as handling goes, mines on 5.5x15 EMPI 5s with Toyo 195/75 tyres and standard shocks and springs but it still handles OK I reckon. It wouldn't out-corner my quattro I'll grant you, but then niether would any of your lowered vans... I still get all kinds of vehicles getting under the feet when I'm driving on country roads so it can't be bad. |
|
Baxter
Admin Group Scruff Daddy Joined: 29 May 04 Location: Huddersfield Status: Offline Points: 8060 |
Posted: 05 Mar 06 at 17:51 |
...but it could be better. Hence lowering. Look, if you don't like lowered vans just browse past, it's not a problem.
|
|
Post Reply | Page 123 13> |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |