Wouldn't late model springs be a good low buck alterntative? Some of the later factory springs are supposed to be 30 mm shorter with the same or slightly improved handeling. You can also use factory shocks. I would think they'd be easy to find, and relatively cheap.

Chopping, cutting etc. will ruin any handleing the van has.

Matt
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gary Stearns 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 7:21 AM
  Subject: Re: Lowering the vanagon

  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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