How much to lower 40mm?

[northantsandy]

Hi Matt
I was told that lowering a 'hi top' would be beneficial to the handling; I could be wrong, the novice that I am.

Thanks

[matt]

Maybe
But has anyone simply replaced old with Good Quality standard "fresh "new springs n shocks
rather than the lowering, (if i spend £££ i may as well follow the crowd and lower mentality))
I 've justed replace me front shocks, and its like a new bus, totally differant
rears when it warms up a tad

I'm sure the "H cup" (i think) kit on Brickwerks makes a differance
but will you be going round the 'ring much (no pun intended)

[northantsandy]

Matt
are there any alloys that enhance the ride/looks and just bolt straight on. After seeing how much 'lowering' costs, I am unlikely to go down that path.
What have you got on yours?

Northants

[jason k]

having had a non lowered and now a lowered hi top theres no way i wouldnt lower one again.
if 50mm lower makes a difference where you camp you must be camping on mountains!!

my westy which is -50mm avo and bilsteins has underslung waste and gastanks and i never come close to catching them!

driving a lowered hi top is far far better on motorways , side winds bends etc.its money well spent


oh and fitting empi 5 s etc will pull your wheel bearings to bits and make the van horrid to drive as the et is 5 and way off whats needed for factory spec, and the mws ones are made of chocolate

[blu trukkie]

I know im a miserable old git, but when I replaced the springs and shox on our van, I stayed with original height. It made a lot of difference over the ride of the worn out stuff, and I can still see over the top of other cars, I don't have to worry about camping in a bumpy field .......................... And i'm pretty sure that it was designed the way it was for a reason, after all, ITS NOT A RACING CAR.

[northantsandy]

Thanks Trukkie
How much did it cost to replace shocks and springs?

I also like the retro look of steels painted white with a nice chrome hub cap? I have searched without luck for images to post.
It maybe the higher ride and retro look for me. I didn't realise it was such a contentious issue.

Northants

[jason k]

I know im a miserable old git, but when I replaced the springs and shox on our van, I stayed with original height. It made a lot of difference over the ride of the worn out stuff, and I can still see over the top of other cars, I don't have to worry about camping in a bumpy field .......................... And i'm pretty sure that it was designed the way it was for a reason, after all, ITS NOT A RACING CAR.

bloody hell its only 50mm!! i can still see over cars too!!! and as i said bumpy fields / speed humps etc are no issue, whilst i agree they are not racing cars, your bus on standard springs will still be buffeted by wagons and side winds on the motorways far more than a slightly lowered and stiffened one.

yup replacing springs like for like and new shocks will help as the old ones will be worn out,


lowering a hi top does make a huge difference to how it drives.

northantsandy perhaps have a drive in a lowered and a stock one and decide for yourself eh?

[..lee..]

you dont have to go down. you can also go up or even std height with some alloys and at tyres can look cool. do some searching through the images available including the syncros on this site and on the brickyard. the lowered empi route with the air cooled crew is pretty much set in stone but with the t25 you have more options.

lee.

[Willoughby]

One of the guys in my local club replaced springs and shocks on his van with std and he is kicking himself after he had a go in my van.

Both '81 2Ltr a/c and both proper jobs his was done at SyncroNutz mine at Brickwerks.

My van now handles way better especially on country roads and has less wing buffeting on motorways.

Do a lot of wild camping in the Highlands and Ground clearence has never been an issue.

Kev

[kevtherev]

I want to go up
syncro look is ace

[CovKid]

Yeah I prefer high to low. Lowered is better handling but costs more for rims and tyres - often twice or three times as much. Roads don't seem to get smoother and speed humps are growing. Mine was naturally high and even with 15" steel merc wheels theres still bags of room under those arches. Tempted to try 16" but not sure I'll get tyres at reasonable price at that size.

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/garage.php? ... ge_id=1836" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lets not argue over whether higher or lower is best - each has its own advantages

[jason k]

Lowered is better handling but costs more for rims and tyres - often twice or three times as much.
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/garage.php? ... ge_id=1836" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

why cant you run stock wheels and tyres when your lowered then???

and as for tyre costs.....i pay no more for proper load rated tyres for my porsche rims than i was paying for normal van tyres.

try http://www.camskill.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for suprisingly cheap prices

[CovKid]

Depends how far you lower it I guess. As for tyres, only paid £99 for four brand new ones for the merc rims (£20 for rims). Also fitted them on the rims myself - thats a fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon but saved heaps doing it myself with a couple of tyre levers (car ones, not halfords mountain bike ones ). Had a crash course in DIY tyre fitting frommy stepdad who was a Hackney cab driver until he retired.

[happy camper]

Personaly i'd lower first then worry about rims, why not refurb your steelies thats what i did this is my van with -40mm at the front and -30mm at the rear refurbed steelies and baby moon hub caps