Lifting suspension questions

[sandwedge]

Ok now I understand, thanks Neil.

[axeman]

I think he will be ok with the Seikels especially topping out as his van isnt light weight. A camper (Jakes Westy, Russels gold fake Westy,etc) wont with its extra camper weight and Jakes Westy defiantly doesnt top out. I think yours might be a bit light for the Seikel springs Neil thats why you have this problem, come to think of it I dont think I know anybody else who has fitted them to a doka or a panel van or even a multivan for this very reason.

jed

re read what i wrote , this will not happen with seikle/ome set up unspaced, i cirtany dont suffer from it it happens when you over space standard spring and shocks.

[jed the spread]

I think he will be ok with the Seikels especially topping out as his van isnt light weight. A camper (Jakes Westy, Russels gold fake Westy,etc) wont with its extra camper weight and Jakes Westy defiantly doesnt top out. I think yours might be a bit light for the Seikel springs Neil thats why you have this problem, come to think of it I dont think I know anybody else who has fitted them to a doka or a panel van or even a multivan for this very reason.

jed

re read what i wrote , this will not happen with seikle/ome set up unspaced, i cirtany dont suffer from it it happens when you over space standard spring and shocks.

Ah yes... sorry mate I just find it abit hard to read and understand your posts sometimes. My mistake I understand your point now...

jed

[..lee..]

now i got no personal experiance on the seikel`s but i`ve heard lot of different comments and views and formed an opinion on this.

apparently seikels were designed for lightweight van and doka to do desert raceing. people seem to suggest their for heavy vehicles. " contradiction me thinks ". that initially puzzled me slightly.

i`ve also heard that although they are advertised as being a specific spring rate they are in fact progressive." this makes sense to me having a rally background " and when fitted to a heavy van the lighter coils bind and then you end up with only the heavy coils suspending which gives a hard ride.

this also puts strain on the spring that its not designed for and causes the pigtails to break." mmmmmm food for thought ".

so my opinion " which is probally worth squat is " if you have a really light van the progressive coils will soften it somewhat and then ramp up when you jump or hit a big dip as in rally which is what they`ve been designed for, medium vans dont benifit from this so suspension feels hard and is why people complain about them, heavy vans also dont get the benefit of the progressive coils but the extra weight is more suited to the heavy spring rate so feel ok.

they are also very expensive and with this doubt spinning around in my head my money is atm staying firmly in my pocket.

now this is only my opinion and i will be more than happy for someone to change it for me as i need to change my springs also..

lee.

[syncropaddy]

now i got no personal experiance on the seikel`s but i`ve heard lot of different comments and views and formed an opinion on this.

apparently seikels were designed for lightweight van and doka to do desert raceing. people seem to suggest their for heavy vehicles. " contradiction me thinks ". that initially puzzled me slightly.

i`ve also heard that although they are advertised as being a specific spring rate they are in fact progressive." this makes sense to me having a rally background " and when fitted to a heavy van the lighter coils bind and then you end up with only the heavy coils suspending which gives a hard ride.

this also puts strain on the spring that its not designed for and causes the pigtails to break." mmmmmm food for thought ".

so my opinion " which is probally worth squat is " if you have a really light van the progressive coils will soften it somewhat and then ramp up when you jump or hit a big dip as in rally which is what they`ve been designed for, medium vans dont benifit from this so suspension feels hard and is why people complain about them, heavy vans also dont get the benefit of the progressive coils but the extra weight is more suited to the heavy spring rate so feel ok.

they are also very expensive and with this doubt spinning around in my head my money is atm staying firmly in my pocket.

now this is only my opinion and i will be more than happy for someone to change it for me as i need to change my springs also..

lee.

Nothing wrong with any of that ..... One thing people forget is that these vehicles are up to 25 years old now and the springs are tired and the spring pads are also tired so is there anything wrong with replacing old springs with new springs from VW. We are talking about vans here and most vans are loaded up to the roof with stuff being delivered, utility company vans with equipment in them etc so surely VW designed the standard spring to cope with the designed GVW condition and surely they tested them off road as well.
My van is a 'light van' and was at its heaviest at Syncro25. It ran on factory standard springs with new 16" dampers up front and Trailmaster dampers out back. I also have spacers fitted giving a 2" lift. Id say she is as comfy as you're gonna get and she doesnt sag.
So from my experience, new standard springs, a spacer lift kit and new longer shocks.

[..lee..]

was afraid i might be going crazy but the little voices in my head were very convincing

[jebiga41]

another interesting idea is extending the front shocks and combine with spacers at the rear http://vanagonsyncroproject-herman.blog ... rbers.html
he also shows the upper ball joint spacers on another part of the site. As regards springs I am currently waiting for the new trailmasters developed for heavy vans. personally I'm not convinced the seikels are the way to go for heavy vans particularly expedition vans and since seeing broken ones at 25. For the moment I would look at fitting new springs which will probably lift your van to its original spaced height, I certainly noticed the difference on the rear of mine when I fitted them (yet to fit the fronts yets but hopefully in the next few weeks along with Trailmaster new shocks ) Alternatively you could look at Simons coilovers which seem to have good reports. Again I would look at new springs and go from there and see how you get on hope thats of help. I take it your not selling the van then Ian.

[sandwedge]

Hi Paul

Jury's out on selling the van.
I had such a good time in wales I dont know if I should let it go or not.
If I still have it at the end of the October half term, when I plan to drop it with Russel at syncronutz then I will be keeping it for a few years, and spending lots on various mods

[jebiga41]

Hi Paul

Jury's out on selling the van.
I had such a good time in wales I dont know if I should let it go or not.
If I still have it at the end of the October half term, when I plan to drop it with Russel at syncronutz then I will be keeping it for a few years, and spending lots on various mods

I think you'd be mad to sell it, its a nice van but think long and hard about the roof, theres more than one way to skin a cat, also forgot to show you my fold down bunk on mine basically it folds up on the wall and drops down on the kitchen units with a support under the outside of the bunk its the size of a single bed and would be a perfect set up for a child will pm you some pics tomoorow when i get home from work. Nice roof idea on this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJXTBZLRfR4

[poshbuggers]

Mine has totally renewed bushes/washes/joints and 944 CV joints.

I fitted HD Syncro fronts and 30mm rear spacers.

The ground clearance went up but the ride quality went downhill.

I have a Westfalia interior (no fridge though), heavy roofrack and spare wheel carrier but it's still 'up there'.

I suspect I am topping out on all 4 corners so longer shocks/ balljoint spacers are next on the shopping list.

Here is a shot to show the ground clearance:

[syncrosimon]

As regards springs I am currently waiting for the new trailmasters developed for heavy vans. personally I'm not convinced the seikels are the way to go for heavy vans particularly expedition vans and since seeing broken ones at 25.

My thoughts as well, the compliant suspension is what sets the syncro apart from the stiff suspension in a unloaded landy 90.

I am also waiting on the trailmasters, but in the mean time have improved handling no end with a coil spring assister on each corner. At 20 quid on e-bay it is a worthwhile upgrade. They have transformed cross wind stability and cornering stability. I got a new set of Baxters standard springs, they improved handling as well, but did not increase the ride height much. (1cm if I remember


If baxters adjustable struts had been available before I bought the Boge N shocks I would have had those, but the trailmasters should sort out the sunk feeling of the big factory high top. The weight of the heavy van does give very good traction and you will need less diff lock than on lighter vans.

We had a bed in the roof of ours for 3 years with no problem, but now the boys are bigger they wont go up there. Sam is 6'3" and 15 stone. He prefers his own tent now.

[syncropaddy]

We had a bed in the roof of ours for 3 years with no problem, but now the boys are bigger they wont go up there. Sam is 6'3" and 15 stone. He prefers his own tent now.

I wouldnt be too keen on sleeping underneath a 6'3" 15 stone youth in a camper van! Id say you are as glad he has his own tent as he is!!

Are Baxters 'standard' springs the same as VW's?

[syncrosimon]

Id say you are as glad as he is he has his own tent!!

Frankly the nocturnal creakings and groanings from above were worrying everyone, and it was the best thing all round for Sam to sleep outside.

Are Baxters 'standard' springs the same as VW's?

They have one less turn, and appear to be a direct replacement. I was hoping for more of a difference though, shows that the original springs are hardy ol' bit's of iron. but at 30 quid for the fronts it's a bargain.

[jebiga41]

I am also waiting on the trailmasters, but in the mean time have improved handling no end with a coil spring assister on each corner. At 20 quid on e-bay it is a worthwhile upgrade.

Are those the plastic sleeve things you thread through like on caravans?

[syncrosimon]

That's the fellas. They are hard rubber, and fit between the coil springs.

Lee put me onto them, but he has now got Baxters adjustables.