At 12:00 AM 25/06/2003 -0400, you wrote:

>This may be a subject thats been well covered ,but is it true that the
>westys used a22mm front bar vs the regular vans 19mm bar? If this is true ,I
>would like to install a westy bar up front and move the stock
>front bar to the rear. I know this will requier some fabrication and welding
>but that will be no problem. Has any body on the list done a similar thing?
>Is anyone parting out a westy with this bar? Any help would be great, thanks
>Dennis
>'91 carrat GTI

   Dennis,

   I can't confirm whether or not a Westy came standard with a thicker/stiffer
   sway bar but I know that I have a 22mm front sway bar....sold here in Oz
   as an after-market upgrade from the OEM one.

   I can confirm or attest to the reduced bodyroll with the thicker bar...you
   would certainly notice the change although a thicker bar on it's own may
   not fully realize the handling mods you may be after.
   In my case I did it along with adjustable shocks (Koni) and 15x7" alloy
   rims with (C rated) tyres to match.This was in my quest for the van to
   handle like it was on rails...and it pretty much does however this has
   been at a bit of a loss of off-road traction due to the stiffer front
sway bar
   in particular.It limits the suspension's ability to move to it's full
travel and
   this is a trade-off you need to consider.Perhaps the additional weight of a
   full camper would make this a moot point....I don't know for sure.

   I would personally advise against fitting a rear bar as,whilst it will
improve
   on road handling (although increase understeer) it really stuffs up the
   van's traction in rougher terrain.Maybe you never go off bitumen but if
   you do...forget about a rear swar bar.If you wanna improve handling
   upgrade your shocks....

   But that's only one opinion....

   Steve O
   NSW Australia
   '92 Transporter WBX Kombi
   '00 Transporter Double Cab
   '03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck)