Steve,

For all these things and many other random acts of kindness, I thank you.
And I'm sure everyone else is grateful for your efforts as well.  I
apologize for my inadvertently putting pressure on you.

Jeanne

----- Original Message -----
From: Steven X. Schwenk <sxs@concentric.net>
To: Jeanne Maly <traveller57@cableone.net>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>;
<syncro@onelist.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 1:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Syncro] Springs & Weights

> Jeanne & other people needing syncro springs:
>
> I feel your pain.  Only if there were not 1 million other things i need to
do and
> probaby should do first....
>
> The challenge here is to get it right, or risk upsetting everyone with a
> disappointing outcome.  Indeed, quality and results is the whole point of
the
> exercise.  Mark had the prototypes made up to permit a period of testing,
and this
> will include a Baja trip in addition to the Hollister  testing.  Mark
plans to
> test through May.
>
> We are trying to do some basic R&D, what you have to do to get it right.
This
> takes time even when resources and opportunities are not limited by
competing
> responsibilities.  Please try to remember that this isn't a business,
we're just
> list members working on a pet project when we can in our "spare time."
>
> We have already put a year into the springs and shocks, which really isn't
bad
> when you consider that we have achieved our goal of having custom shocks
and
> springs made by top manufacturers for our beloved syncro vans, and of
having an
> alternative off-the-shelf  set of quality shocks made available in the USA
for
> syncros for the first time ever (ARB began improting Old Man Emu syncro
shocks to
> North America from AUS at our request and after much communication with
them and
> the president of ARB).  And we haven't marked any of it up beyond actual
cost of
> purchasing the stuff.  We are now in the fine tuning stage.  All i ask is
that you
> understand the constraints when you, quite understandably, get frustrated
with the
> pace of the process.  Believe me, sister, I feel your frustration!  But
glory
> awaits those who keep the faith.  No one else has put this much time and
effort
> (and money) into any other available option.
>
> I will have some time tables and specs on monday or tuesday.  The goal is
to have
> some decent specs to place an order by may 1 to acommodate the many people
with
> deadlines due to scheduled expeditions and trips.  turn around time is 8
weeks, i
> hope.
>
> steve
>
>
> Jeanne Maly wrote:
>
> > Steve,
> >
> > How long does it take to get these springs?  Time is running out for the
South
> > America group.
> >
> > Jeanne
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Steven X. Schwenk <sxs@concentric.net>
> > To: Per Lindgren <LINDGRE@ONLINE.NO>
> > Cc: Syncro <Syncro@onelist.com>; <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 8:48 PM
> > Subject: [Syncro] Springs & Weights
> >
> > > Per, you are amazing!  Thanks.  Now what's the average weight of
these?  A
> > > mystery in itself.   Here's what i'm thinking, with my crude math
skills.
> > >
> > > The mean between the lightest (3388lbs) and heaviest (4180lbs) syncros
> > > listed is 3,784 pounds (sorry, but i forgot to convert to kg. while
doing
> > > the math).  The westy weighs about 310lbs. more than the mean, or 8.2%
> > > more.  So, if (a big assumption) the stock syncro springs were
designed for
> > > this mean weight, the westy should ideally have springs 8.2% stiffer,
> > > assuming that the spring rate calculation for the mean weight is the
ideal
> > > rate for suspension performance for my use of the vehicle.  Maybe a
little
> > > stiffer for more off road use, depending on the type of off roading.
> > >
> > > If you throw out the two extremes, the mean weight is 3822lbs, with
the
> > > westy 270 lbs heavier, or 7% heavier, and thus ideally needing springs
7%
> > > stiffer.  Remember, VW made different springs for the various 2wd
models,
> > > but not for the syncros, probably because of the limited number they
made.
> > >
> > > Now if only i could find (1) stock spring rate for new springs, and
(2) that
> > > lost post where someone listed the acceptable range of suspension
sag...the
> > > amount that the vehicle sags the suspension under it's own weight.
This is
> > > another vital spec, at least as a starting point.  The sag will
increase
> > > with age as the springs lose some spring, thus our current sags are
not
> > > likely to spec.  On motocross bikes, sag is about 30% of travel.  (I
don't
> > > even know what full range of travel is...anyone have their front
springs out
> > > so they can measure the full range of travel?)  The sag is important
because
> > > when you get it right, you get optimum use of all available suspension
> > > travel.
> > >
> > > I am going to come up with specs for springs I want and then put in a
> > > limited order at Betts.  I still need to try out Marks' springs again,
with
> > > Peter's help, since he has them installed.  Stay tuned, i am not sure
yet
> > > how this is going to shake out, but will by this time next week.  I
want to
> > > get the order in by May 1.  This will not be for lift springs.
> > > steve
> > >
> > > Per Lindgren wrote:
> > >
> > > > "Steven X. Schwenk" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Does anyone know the weight of a syncro
> > > > > westy vs. a standard syncro GL with no
> > > > > camping or weekended stuff.  Actually,
> > > > > weights for all syncro models would be
> > > > > great.
> > > >
> > > > You asked for it :-)
> > > >
> > > > >From my 1987 owners manual:
> > > > Panelvan: 1540 kg
> > > > Panelvan, high roof: 1590 kg
> > > > Kombi (like panel, with windows) 1615 kg
> > > > Kombi highroof: 1665 kg
> > > > Caravelle/ Kombi L: 1700 kg
> > > > Caravelle GL: 1730 kg
> > > > Joker (westy) with pop top: 1860 kg
> > > > Joker highroof: 1900 kg
> > > > Pickup: 1540 kg
> > > > Pickup with bigger bed: 1635 kg
> > > > Doublecab: 1595 kg
> > > >
> > > > 2WDs are generally 150 kg lighter.
> > > >
> > > > PerL
> > > > 87 Syncro 112i
> > > >
> > >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > Here Bunny Bunny...
> > > > Check it Out
> > > > http://click.egroups.com/1/3123/2/_/527143/_/955500715/
> > >
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