Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: Spring advice
From:Eric Caron
Date:Mon, 19 Apr 2021 10:10:08 -0400

Hi Jeff, 

Just catching up to your messages.  I wish I could get them to stop going to junk!  I don’t consider your messages junk!

I think I read in several places that the earlier vans were higher and 85 the stock hight the highest.  I would recommend not going any higher.  Same hight or if trying to get into more garages easily even a bit lower. 

        When my van came back with .5 inch higher wheels. Dennis careful drove it into my garage for a test fit.  Last time I had a inch.  This time new garage doors and seals and more hight on the van.  

        It made it in but the foam seal kissed the van top as it went in! 

So, hight is ok but our 85’s are already tall!

I ended up keeping my stock springs as they were in good shaped still doing a good job. 

With unlimited dollars I would have updated but in the end I could not be happier with ride and handling.

I would have to speak highly for bigger wheels and though I  thought 17 was a bit much I’m happy I went with them.

My second choice would have been 16 and as close to stock look as possible. 

Instead I apparently have bling.

Eric Caron 

> On Apr 18, 2021, at 11:47 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM> wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone.  Looking at new springs and wanted to bounce a few ideas around.  Ha.
> 
> 1985 Westfalia automatic with 2.1 Boston Bob motor.  Stock 14 inch wheels but hopefully upgrading to 16 inch wheels before long.
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with the Bus Depot springs, or Go Westy?  Bus Depot are about $400, and I believe maintain the stock ride height.  
> 
> Go Westy is $328 and can either lower by 2 inches, maintain, or increase ride height by 1.5 inches.  I’m leaning towards maintaining stock height.
> 
> It seems like my rear end is always sagging.  I’m almost thinking about buying stock front springs and +1.5 inch rear springs.  Is that a stupid thing to do?
> 
> Apples to apples, any big difference between Go Westy and Bus Depot zero lift springs?
> 
> Thanks
> Jeff