You're exactly right.  You can balance out your van when heavily loaded.  If
you build in your own compressor system you adjust it as you drive.  Air
Lift offers a bunch of different configurations (see
http://www.airliftcompany.com/).  The simplest way is to install the air
springs only.  Then you'll have to go to a gas station or use an external
compressor to inflate the springs.  You can also install an on-board
compressor.  Then you have a choice between a 1-valve or 2-valve system.
With the 2-valve system you can inflate the air springs independently.  This
would be the ideal solution for you water tank problem.

Of course the is only the theory.  Hopefully we'll know a little more when I
receive the set.

Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: mark lortie [mailto:mlortie@ucsd.edu]
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 11:21 AM
To: Buettner, Peter
Cc: 'vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com'; 'syncro@onelist.com'
Subject: Air Lift & springs

I'm not sure how many on the list have westy syncros but I wonder if those
who travel with a full water reservoir get that tilting feeling (springs
might be tired & one of the reasons i'd be interested in looking into adding
stiffness). the
question is could the airshocks be adjusted individually to compensate for
extra driver side weight.

Secondly, re ride hight & stiffness. I certainly want to maintain the tight
handling (that way i blow by all the cars that passed me going up the hill).
However most of my offroading is mexican wash board & rough beach (sand &
rock) so i
loose 2 " of clearance when I deflate to 15-20 psi. I do find that the front
end is far too soft when I hit 30-40 MPH on the beach (feels like a boat
going through waves... actually it's really fun !!)

It sounds like an adjustable (airshock?? adjustable gas shocks) system might
work nicely combined with heavy duty shocks. But ideally I think I would
want a shock that could adapt to increased ride height and an adjustable
(rigid) spacer
between the shock & frame.

Just a thought ... feel free to toss the hand grenades.

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