According to the www.vanagon.com web site, VW lowered the vanagons from
7.5" ground clearance to 6.3" in 1987.  I used to drive a 1985 GL.  I now
have a 1991 GL.  The lowered suspension makes a difference.  The 85
had a plusher ride.  Bumps and cracks in the pavement were not that noticable.
The 91 suspension is stiffer and noiser.  Concrete expansion joints can
be heard as well as felt.  On the plus side, the handling in the 91 is much
crisper -- more like a car and less like a van.  On the whole I preferred
the ride in the 85.  I would not consider lowering my 91, which has the
same clearance as your 88.

Fred Younger
91 GL

>From: - James Shinosky <JMSHINOSKY@AOL.COM>
>
>Hi everybody. I m  a new owner of an used 1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg with 125,000
>miles and 10,000 miles on rebuilt engine from Fast German. I spent ten years
>driving my 1970 VW Bus before sold it to my friend (enough of leg/arm workouts
>with manual transmission... this Vanagon has automatic transmission...) I am
>looking forward to many years in this new Vanagon...
>
>My problem is this Vanagon has sagging noticably  on its entire left side
>which means new coil springs for all four corners. Where can I find new or
>used coil springs? So far I found new lowering coil spring kit from BusBoys
>for $495.00 (that is cheap in compare to dealer asking price of $400.00 each
>spring!) Any advice???
>
>Thanks,
>James Shinosky
>JMShinosky@aol.com
>1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg Weekender
>