4/16ths is a quarter inch, which is basically 'no difference' .......
and 85 passenger vanagon front springs should be just right, and perhaps
better than what you have, for your 81.

there are 'tall' 85 front springs........the ones that Weekenders have.
out of the van, the tall ones are an inch and half taller than the 85
passenger van front springs, and more diffiucult to install too.

I put 85 passenger van front springs in my 85 weekender , which had been too
high in front, and it came out just right - like level.

then later we put those 'tall' 85 weekender front springs into a heavily
loaded 84 Westy...........and that came out just right too, lol.

I think you'll like the 85 passenger van front springs in your 81.....
if there's anything tired or sagged about your 81 front springs.
Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 3:32 PM
Subject: Front Spring questions

> Hi all.
>
> I read in the archives (thanks Mr. Drillock!) about swapping springs.
> i.e.  late '84+ Vanagon *passenger* model springs into an '82 Westy is
> an improvement.
>
> Lucky me, I kept the springs from my '85 parts van!
>
> Questions:
>
> If a spring(s) has pieces of tape holding damping ring to it, does
> this mean it's the original spring?
>
> And....
>
> There's a ~ 4/16" difference between '81 and '85 spring.
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/frontsprings(%2785and%2781)
>
> Does this indicate wear or is the '85 spring normally that much longer?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines