[Wanted: Parts] Late bay dropped spindles
- Thread starter Rez
- Start date
If I was dropping a late bay I'd be looking at these:
http://transporterhaus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=174
not cheap but no increase in track and they're quality kit.
http://transporterhaus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=174
not cheap but no increase in track and they're quality kit.
They look very similar but K&k's ones are T2D spindles giving a 3.35" drop. No mention of track increase or lack of... Useful saving though, assuming that they're otherwise equivalent
I'm torn between these and a red 9 coil kit. Both are similar price. I want to keep my suspension so don't want to use adjusters.
Just thought I'd ask here first in case someone had spindles sitting on a shelf. I also don't fancy having to swap my stock spindles in case I ever want to return van to as it was when in service.
I have reservations about the EZ Rider kit as it puts a heavy load on the mounts which weren't designed for that purpose. Most other people have no issues with that and I haven't seen evidence to prove my fears. I think that Justin had that kit and had no issues. My concern is that some Irish roads put stresses on suspension that users in the Netherlands and most of the UK don't have to worry about and so they may not have run in to issues that an Irish user may eventually experience.
This post says that you have to cut the bump stop arms off to fit the EZ Rider kit which makes the installation more difficult to reverse:
http://www.volkstorque.co.uk/vt/mec...4595-cutting-bump-stop-arms-fit-red9-kit.html
Maybe someone here can sell you an old set of spindles that'd work out cheaper than the core charge if you went for the Transporterhaus kit?
If you drop your bus your off-road camping options will be reduced a little - might not be an issue for you but worth considering.
Thanks Aidan,
I've been thinking this through properly over the past 2 years. Both Donal dollery and Justin/Deckie run the red 9 kit here in Ireland without issue. I've done some proper investigation into it and can't find any KNOWN failures with the kit.
Despite this I still think the dropped spindles route is for me as I want an easy swap back to stock. They're just so expensive compared to beetle ones even. The van is currently about 1 foot off the ground so 2 1/2 inch drop won't make a huge diffecence to where I can and can't go.
Actually, is anyone running just adjusters on a bay with only a small drop? I'd like to know what the ride is like.
I've been thinking this through properly over the past 2 years. Both Donal dollery and Justin/Deckie run the red 9 kit here in Ireland without issue. I've done some proper investigation into it and can't find any KNOWN failures with the kit.
Despite this I still think the dropped spindles route is for me as I want an easy swap back to stock. They're just so expensive compared to beetle ones even. The van is currently about 1 foot off the ground so 2 1/2 inch drop won't make a huge diffecence to where I can and can't go.
Actually, is anyone running just adjusters on a bay with only a small drop? I'd like to know what the ride is like.
Yep, your concern is justified. When I was buying I couldn't find one single report of a bay kit failure (just one on a splitty, where there is an extra piece to offset the top mount), but I did fit the optional hard bump-stops for some reassurance.
I did consider spindles, but as they're fixed at 3.5" drop I would have had to be pretty confident that the drop was going to work for me. The only way to raise it back an inch would be to fit an adjuster/adjustable beam.
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I was very tempted by the Transporterhaus spindles because I was happier with the reversability of it and also because my balljoints are getting to the point where they need to be replaced and it'd be partly money that I'd be spending anyway. I also think that my bus looks a bit high at the front but its more or less the correct original height.
One of the things that put me off the 3.5" drop is the pic of the white early bay on this page:
http://transporterhaus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=174
That looks a little lower than I'd see as being completely practical for me. I'd like to drop the bus by max 2 inches but I don't want to rely on welded adjusters. I don't want to narrow the track and being a tightwad, I don't really want to have to change my nearly new OE sized Verdesteins. There's no easy, economic solution to this one.
I have horsed the bus around with the red9 kit
It's the 4-6 inch drop kit adjusted currently to about 4"
Bugnut was amazed by there performance on roads he avoids in his daily.
Riggsi is running at least one bus on an adjustable beam.
It's the 4-6 inch drop kit adjusted currently to about 4"
Bugnut was amazed by there performance on roads he avoids in his daily.
Riggsi is running at least one bus on an adjustable beam.
This red westy is a better representation I think
http://transporterhaus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70&Itemid=174
http://transporterhaus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70&Itemid=174
Really interested in the difference. Adjusters are the cheaper route alright and you can put the look back to stock in minutes if you desire.
What size tyres are you running and do you have a pic or 2?
They are just on stock tyres 185 70 C I think.Will have a look for some pics.
http://www.retrocamper.ie/userfiles/images/CNV00039-1_medium.jpg
http://www.retrocamper.ie/userfiles/images/CNV00039-1_medium.jpg
If I was doing it again, I'd most definitely explore avenues other than the Red9Design coilover conversion. They're a great job like, handy to install, do exactly as they said on the tin.....however what people don't tell you is how stiff they are. Speed bumps are an fuckin nightmare.
I drove Riggsi's bus (Lowered on adjusters) and it almost no different from standard. If I could weld, most definitely would have went with adjusters.
Just not sure how far you can go with adjusters on the front. Probably the best way to do it, without sacrificing comfort is adjusters and 2" Drop Spindles, just waay more work that way. two splines at the back no need for notch, bang tidy.
Take comfort in the fact that whatever way you decide to do it, it'll look waaaaay cooler lower no matter what!
I drove Riggsi's bus (Lowered on adjusters) and it almost no different from standard. If I could weld, most definitely would have went with adjusters.
Just not sure how far you can go with adjusters on the front. Probably the best way to do it, without sacrificing comfort is adjusters and 2" Drop Spindles, just waay more work that way. two splines at the back no need for notch, bang tidy.
Take comfort in the fact that whatever way you decide to do it, it'll look waaaaay cooler lower no matter what!