David Filcoff wrote:
>
> I am looking at some H&R Sport springs for my Vanagon.  I have located a
> set for at tirerack.com and autobahnint.com but would like to know if
> any of the list vendors carry H&R?  Also has anyone put these on their
> Vanagon?  If so do you like them, problems and what shock did you use
> with them?
>
> For those who are not familiar witht he H&R springs they are a stiffer
> spring lowering the ride height 1.5", but since these will be going on a
> 87 Wolfsburg they will effectively lower it .3" due to the factory
> suspension which is 1.2" lower than standard.  I don't expect the van to
> sit any lower, the current springs are old and sag.  My main goal is to
> get a firmer ride, which these seem to offer.
>
> dave
> dave@251.org

Dave,
I have the H&R springs on my '85 GL. I'm not impressed with them.
The ride is stiffer. You will bottom out with two people up front
on hard bumps. The springs are a little too short IMO. The rear
springs are a joke. The first 4-5 coils out of the 7 are touching
each other. H&R says this is deliberate, the first 4-5 coils act
as a spacer. You have about 2 to 2.5 coils in the rear for suspension.

The handling is better, which is why I put up with the bottoming
out, harsh ride, and extra rattles. I have KYBs in now. H&R recommends
"the stiffest shocks you can find". This means either Bilsteins or
Konis. I think with stiffer shocks the ride would be way too harsh.

I had to make some shock extenders(brackets that lower the shock
through the lower control arm) to keep the front from bottoming
out on small bumps with two people (175 and 125lbs.) up front.
Grant Holst
Sunnyvale, Ca