I did an aftermarket set (from a Chevy I believe). Thay have seemed to work out well for the last year on a lightly driven westy. The springs were Moog 5658 I believe. Search thesamba for more info.

Here's my quick opinion:
The springs were cheap enough to try - $50 for a set. The springs have less initial softness = slightly firmer/bouncier ride. It cuts down a lot on sway and feels *much* more stable when cornering. The front did rise by .5 inches (16.25 to 16.75"). I have not had had it realigned after swapping out the springs but plan to. Some who used heavier spring also went with adjustable front shocks. I had bilstien hd's already.

My rear springs were already sagging. I plan to level the rear with some spacers soon. At that point I'll probably have an alignment done.

Overall I'd say that I like the change, but slightly miss some of the old springs initial softness.

Aaron
'87 westy.

On Jun 18, 2012, at 4:22 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> I have a note to myself made a month or two ago from a post that Scott
> wrote. If I understand my note, he was recommending 85 GL front
> springs as a good replacement for sagging Westy springs.
> 
> I see springs for sale at very high prices from various sources. It
> seems like used springs from a GL might not be so expensive. Scott,
> did I interpret your post right, and are there any other opinions?
> 
> I had my Westy aligned today, and everything is perfect now except the
> right rear, whose spring is sagging so far the it can't be adjusted
> back into camber spec.
> 
> This was at Pep Boys/Big Ten Tires. The technician who did the
> alignment seemed very into getting the vanagon "just right" and I was
> glad to see that.
> 
> Jim