the Carats and 89 Wolf I have, all have the two yellow marks on all four of the springs and are stock.
the other colors may be off due to the fact I had to use K-1 to remove undercoating on the springs.

df

----- Original Message ----
From: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 1:27:35 PM
Subject: Re: vanagon spring rate color coding for different models...READ!!

Sorry, but I don't think those colors are right.
There are 4 replacement part numbers for 2 wd fronts, but in only 3 colors.

For FRONT springs ONLY I think it is something like this:

Yellow was used in some tall early years(83-85 Campers?) as well as
later lowered passenger models, different numbers, visibly longer
earlier spring.

Blue is the common passenger models, standard height, all years?

Brown is for Westy Campers starting in late 1985.

(Syncro front all the same, violet.)

The springs can have 1,2,or 3 paint marks of the same color. This was
for a matching pair. For example, there would be a slight difference
between 1 blue mark and 2 blue marks though they had the same part
number and VW would match the springs on each van by number of marks.

Mark

JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
> well folks, i posted this question to the list a few weeks ago, and only one
> listmember actually came thru with the info.  i would like to personally thank
> listmember dylan friedman from NY. for finding the information out.. thanks
> dylan.
>
> here are the spring rate color codes - this is how you tell what model the
> springs were from.  stock springs are painted black but they have colored
> markings put on them at the factory to differentiate their application and ride
> height.
>
> 1)the factory "lowering springs"  that came on vanagon Carat and wolfsburg
> passenger vans are color coded with yellow marks.
>
> 2) most late model GL's have light purple marks
>
> 3) Syncro's have blue marks
>
> hope this helps...good information to have, if you have some used springs
> sitting around and want to know what model they are from or what ride height they
> give..
>
>
> chris
>