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Subject:Re: Tall springs?
From:Karl Wolz
Date:Sun, 1 Feb 2009 12:30:10 -0700

My understanding, FWIW: '85s, from the factory, had the highest ride
height - all models.  Later models were a fair amount lower.  Earlier
were somewhat lower.

The springs were labeled with paint spots indicating something that
only VW engineers really knew.  My '85 Westy had blue spots.  My '84
GL had yellow, and rode lower, by a bit.  Newer models ride lower (my
'88GL was considerably lower).  I don't know where Syncros fit into
the range of height.

I replaced the front springs from a boneyard, and I purchased a pair
of rear springs from Steve Schwenk which raised and leveled the '85
(after 300,000 some-odd miles).  One of them (Schwenk's) broke (good
noise!).  I replaced all with Go Westy springs and Koni shocks and new
front end bushings and haven't looked back - great ride, more stable
in crosswinds, and it sits a good inch and half higher than it did
when new!  No more GRONK when I go over a curb, either.

Karl Wolz