Been there with the tires..I think the shocks are ok, the KYB gas charged
type and seem good.
  Don Hanson
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Buese" <tombuese@comcast.net>
To: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:16 PM
Subject: Re: Don't push ME around..Van directional stability

> 2 Threads come to mind- shocks & tires!
>
> My 84 Westy is fine for my non racing background  in  cross winds w/
> better shocks(Bilsteins or your fave shock-insert brand here) & tires
> w/ stiff sidewalls(insert your fave brand here).
>
> Tom B.-let the threads begin again?
>
>
> On Sep 4, 2007, at 1:44 PM, Don Hanson wrote:
>
> > Hey, I have owned a lot of vans, but never a bay window.  Now, the
> > 84 is
> > drivable in wind, it just takes the fun right out of it.  On calm
> > days, or
> > days with a constant wind, no problem and I enjoy the drive
> > immensely..But
> > give some side gusts, or a constant side wind and lot of big
> > rigs....(Highway 395 outside LA comes to mind here) and it becomes
> > a big
> > chore.  I've considered stopping and camping till the side winds
> > quit, even.
> >   Don't get me wrong, I ain't complaining about the van.  Overall,
> > probably
> > the best all round vehicle I've owned so far, but it has a few
> > shortcomings
> > in a few areas of performance, and those, I want to minimize (within
> > reasonable cost and effort)  So now that mine works dependably and
> > efficiently, has all the creature comforts I want, etc..I am
> > working on the
> > remaining flaws like poor traction and poor directional
> > stability..relative
> > term "Poor"...
> >   I did almost get stuck on a dry road. Drove into a potential
> > campsite and
> > decided it wasn't good so we tried to back right out...no go...had
> > to rock
> > the van a bunch to get out..A locker diff would work or a Limited
> > slip, I
> > guess, but I don't see many lockers for sale and fitting a limited
> > slip is a
> > bit pricey...for now.
> >   Don Hanson
>