If you look at the design of the rear springs, you'll see that you really can't cut coils without ruining the spring's ability to locate itself in the mounts.  Similar in the front, VW made the springs so that the last coil on each end has a flattened pitch to fit the mount.  I have tried cutting coils, you can't make it work.  The only way if you are stuck on the butchering technique is heating and collapsing the coils.  You have to know how to do this, or you'll wind up with great small boat anchors that look like springs.  I suggest a set of the lowering springs available through one of the list vendors (stay away from the H&R Springs though, poorly designed).  Finally, any lowering is going to require upgraded shocks.  Stock or worn out shocks can't handle it.  Riding a kangarooing Vanagon might be fun, but it's also dangerous.

Gary
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Shawn
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 8:31 PM
  Subject: Lowering the vanagon

  Hello,
      I own a 1984 vanagon and was looking for some info on lowering the
  low buck way (cutting the coil springs). I have done this before to other
  vehicles with success, but i had the proper info from others that have
  worked out all the problems they came across while doing these projects.
      I have no knoledge of the vanagon as far as whats going to happen
  with camber (+ -). I also need to know how many coils to cut and still
  keep tension on the spring when the van is jacked up off the gruond.
     Has anyone done this or is this a project i should just forget about.
  Thanks
  Shawn

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