With it lifted a main concern is topping out of the suspension. I would go with a stiffer shock to reduce that. The GW heavy duty would be a good choice. You will likely find that front radius rod mounts will get torn up more and you may have trouble setting the caster angle.  You will also notice a wee bit more brake dive due to those radius rods and rear trailing arms wanting to pull straight during braking loads. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Ralph Meyermann
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:40 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Shocks

I'm still shopping/deciding on what to get for my 1.5" lifted westy On Jun 13, 2015 8:04 AM, "Eric Caron" <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:

> Hi Mike,
>
>         Thanks for this info.  this matches what a few others are 
> telling me.
>
>         My van will be kept on the light side as much as possible for 
> a westy.  it will never come close to the weight yours is running at!
>
> Best,
>
> Eric
>
> > On Jun 13, 2015, at 8:53 AM, Mike <mikesaintamour@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Eric:
> >
> > You have plenty of lift on your van and unless you are planning on
> loading it down a lot more than you have already, I would forego the spring
> kit.  We are running at 6300 pounds which is much heavier than stock.   I
> also did not see any sag in your vehicle.   As mentioned earlier the spring
> upgrade changes the ride dramatically.   You will feel and hear every bump
> in the road if you change to the heavier springs.
> >
> > Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from 
> > mediocre
> minds.  Albert Einstein
> > Mike Saint-Amour
> > www.slowcarfasthouse.com
> >
> >
> >> On Jun 12, 2015, at 6:10 PM, Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> >>
> >> OK,
> >>
> >> I’m planning on purchasing the go Westy special designed shocks.
> >>
> >> so, related question, how do I know if I need to also get the heavy
> duty springs?  the springs on my 85 look clean and nice ant the back 
> is sitting high.  However the back looks to have a spacer under the 
> top of the spring and there is a small device in the spring that i 
> think expands to raise the back.
> >>
> >> any thoughts on how important it is to get the new springs?  What
> improvements or changes in the van are we likely to see?
> >> I’d like to hear from folks who changed the springs.
> >>
> >> thanks for the advice and tips!
> >>
> >> the safer and more stable my van the better.  remember being blind 
> >> I
> have  drivers with different skills and habits driving the van.
> >>
> >>
> >> Eric Caron
> >> 85 GL Auto westfalia
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Jun 12, 2015, at 2:00 PM, Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> On my Subaru Westy I'm running Koni adjustable shocks, Addco 
> >>> swaybars (1" front, 7/8" rear), standard springs and 215/65x16 
> >>> tires (Michelin Defender, load rating 98).  For the first year the 
> >>> shocks were adjusted full soft rebound, but now they are fully 
> >>> broken in and are adjusted at
> >>> 2 clicks more stiff.  The ride is extremely comfortable and secure.
> The
> >>> handling is very stable and crisp.  I am extremely satisfied with 
> >>> the suspension and handling with this setup.  Being able to adjust 
> >>> only the rebound on the Konis is ideal because you can firm up the 
> >>> ride without making it harsh when you hit tar strips and bumps.  
> >>> If you go too stiff with the adjustments you can experience "pump 
> >>> down" which is very harsh but at the softer settings this is 
> >>> absolutely not experienced with
> Konis
> >>> on the Westy.
> >>>
> >>> I've had KYB shocks and I found them to be very harsh without much 
> >>> control when they got some age on them.  Before the Konis I had 
> >>> Bilsteins (Heavy Duty, B46830 and B46820) with the same tires and 
> >>> sway bars and, while they gave a good ride I felt they did not 
> >>> offer the control I wanted.  I've not experienced the custom 
> >>> valved Bilsteins of GoWesty so I can't comment on personal 
> >>> experience.  However, their description of their valve 
> >>> modification sounds like they have made the needed improvements.
> >>>
> >>> Ed
>