OK, I went out and measured.
Center of wheel to metal fender lip.
'86 full Westy syncro GL:
Front Left              Front Right
17 3/8"         17 1/2"
Rear Left               Rear Right
18 3/4"         18 5/8"

'87 7-Passenger syncro GL:
Front Left              Front Right
18 3/4"         18 1/2"
Rear Left               Rear Right
19 1/16"                18 1/2"

Here are some pictures to establish vans' attitude:

http://www.farrside.net/vanagon/campl.jpg

http://www.farrside.net/vanagon/campr.jpg

http://www.farrside.net/vanagon/passl.jpg

http://www.farrside.net/vanagon/passr.jpg

Notice they are parked on a very slight down-slope, with right tires
slightly lower. I feel this accounts for the side-to-side discrepancy,
at least in part.
Camper has OME's, passenger van has... something, probably OEM.
When I got the camper, it had blown front shocks, and had probably been
driven that way for several months. Could the springs have been pounded
shorter?
Anyway, I think I'll go ahead and put the taller front springs I have,
onto the camper, and measure again.
Maybe next month I'll have time.
Anyone else feel like measuring?
The Passenger van is For Sale, BTW.
And, SURE, Chis, let's trade!!!! :)

-Simon

On Jun 10, 2004, at 1:06 PM, Chris S. wrote:

>> I looked through the archives, OK?
>> My question is this: Why do most of the campers I've seen (and
>> especially the syncros) seem to sit lower in the front?
>
> Mine sat about 1.5'' lower in the rear, so I put spacers in there to
> level
> it.  I've seen the '86 and newer that sit lower in the front once
> people
> are on board.
>
> You might want to fit syncro.org. springs to help your Syncro, or I can
> trade you my '85 for it.
>
>
>
> Chris S.
> '85 Wolfsburg Westy "Camel"
> http://www.knology.net/~vw/dadada.jpg
>