There is a very noticable difference between the passenger model and
camper springs.  My experience is a bit of apples vs. oranges, but not
so much that it doesn't pertain.  I have a 1983 ASI camper that is built
on a passenger model van.  The kitchen and cabinetwork are very similar
in size and weight to a Westfalia.  To its credit, the ASI has the
propane tank mounted under the right side and interior cabinets on both
sides of the van.  The cabinets are "thinner", so the rear seat/bed is
the same size as in a Westy.

The van seems to be better balanced than my 1982 Westfalia and does not
lean, even with the weak springs.  On the downside, the passenger
springs are not up to the task of carrying a loaded camper.  Even with
new shocks, the suspension flexes way too deeply on small dips in the
road.  One company that makes coil springs for race cars says that the
spring rate does not change over time, but the length gets shorter.  My
van rides nearly identically in height to a very clean 1982 passenger
model van owned by my friend's sister, so my springs are not overly
compressed for their age.

I would like very much to have a set of camper springs for this van.  It
would be a great improvement in handling and comfort.  I have no
experience with air springs, but they seem like an unnecessary
complication to me (flame bait for sure).

Mike Snow

Rich Propsom wrote:
>
<<snip>>
>
> A check at a local salvage yard came up with regular vanagon springs for
> about 35 bucks a pop.  Their concern is they may be to light for the
> Westy.  My question to the group is will it be that noticeable?  Granted
> the Westy is the heavy weight because of the camping gear, but isn't that
> somewhat offset by the smaller number of people it normally
> carries.  Considering that I normally never haul more than 4 people or 2
> people with gear, would the 7 passenger springs be that under sprung.  What
> about the 7 passenger springs with that air bag everyone seems to be trying
> out?
>
<<snip>>