Heavy Duty/Longer Shocks

wewantutopia · Post by **wewantutopia** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:19 am

I'm running my Jetta no WVO. The aux. tank is in the trunk and pretty heavy. With the added weight, my car is sagging pretty bad (probably need new shocks anyway). Is there anything that I could have done to compensate for the sagging; slightly longer shocks or something? Thanx

VWCaddy · Post by **VWCaddy** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:37 am

LOnger shocks will only mke things worse if you are bottoming out. Why? Because they won't compress as far and will therefore bottom out sooner. You need a stiffer shock, and/or springs or some sort of air shock:

http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTri ... tml#Shocks

arfalberg · Post by **arfalberg** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:03 pm

I saw a guy on a forum that bought the front springs from an 87 Chevette and put them in the rear of his car. i went on ebay got a set for $30, ideally they need to be trimmed because although they are the same length and diameter the size of the metal used is greater and therefore has a better spring rate, but due to my WVO system i left them full length and now never bottom out. an added advantage it it transfers a lot of wheight to the front tires and therefore gives better traction and streering responce, i think the manual steering is a little eaisier as well. You may want to do some research to make sure i remembered the right car but i am fairly certian that is the one.

Post by **Fatmobile** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:46 am

I put a set of ('84?) audi 4000 rear springs on my Rabbit. I had put new shocks on but carrying all the vegy, tools and stuff in the back of my car made it sag and the struts only lasted about 6 months. I had to use the audi lower spring seats too.

I think the front springs are off my pickup but I can't remember how many stripes and what color (spring code) they were.
I also put a 16V rear sway bar on it so it wouldn't lean so bad in the corners. You can stand next to it and try to rock it but it won't move.
It really corners nice. If I give it a little accelerator going into a corner it just dives into it.

arfalberg · Post by **arfalberg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:48 pm

Front OEM Coil Springs 76-87 Chevette 81-87 T1000 NEW

above is what i bought off ebay for the rear springs on my jetta. the rear is way high but i love the way it drives now. i can go over potholes at half the speed of light with no bottoming out.

if you wanted a more stock ride hight you could easily cut a a bit off the springs to get any desired ride height. the springs are the same in hight and width as stock springs, but the diameter of the metal bar is way thicker giving you a much better spring rate. I don't ever see me replacing these springs again.

surfcam · Post by **surfcam** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:43 pm

Hey arfalberg have you figure anything out for the rear that would beef it too where the front is with the T-1000's. I really like this idea. Chevette are common sight at the wrecker around these parts.

4BTA 3.9 Cummins Stepvan
86TD Golf
91TD Jetta

VanagonMark · Post by **VanagonMark** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:52 pm

Passat B-3 (?) 90-93 might be stronger? Or, Techtonics might sell
heavy duty springs

On my Westmoreland GTI I run Koni's. Pricey but very stiff. One of the few shocks SCCA GTA will allow

If one looked at aftermarket springs, I know Techtonics would be a place to start...but hand on to your wallet

surfcam · Post by **surfcam** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:19 pm

I guess anyone can go for the pricer off the shelf if you want to send the money on it or have the money to spend on it. I always get a charge out of recycling the used stuff as much as possible. My thinking is that if I get some beefer springs to begin with an little wear on them shouldn't hurt.

4BTA 3.9 Cummins Stepvan
86TD Golf
91TD Jetta

Post by **Fatmobile** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:25 am

I wasn't looking for stiffer springs when I switched to the audi 4000s.
I was looking for something that held it higher and would come down when loaded.
Keeping it from going too low and ruining another set of shocks was the plan.
As I saw it, I could either go stiff and ride normal height all the time or go the softer route and ride a little higher and smoother.
I can't see ever getting rid of these springs either. If not on this car, they will be saved for the next.

arfalberg · Post by **arfalberg** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:45 am

i put those springs in the rear of my jetta. my front is stock still.

i might get some pics up here in the next few days to show what it looks like, but i love it.

arfalberg · Post by **arfalberg** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:37 am

Hope the image works...this is me installing the springs. About halfway through i realized why guys dont live as long as girls, so i took a picture.

surfcam · Post by **surfcam** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:05 pm

At lest you realize what your doing wrong. I would lower things and go with some jack stands. You might not have as good of access but we are hoping to see you around a lot longer.

4BTA 3.9 Cummins Stepvan
86TD Golf
91TD Jetta

bscutt · Post by **bscutt** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:20 pm

Yeah I've done a little under-the-car work using a forklift like that but I chained the car to the forklift. That's just a little scary! Maybe a few 4X4 posts would give a little more margin of safety.

I really want my own 2-post lift and a big empty garage to go with it!

FineFrank · Post by **FineFrank** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:28 pm

I've been told top use Mk2 Golf rear springs on the rear of my Mk1 Rabbit for a six inch lift. Seems reasonable to me.
Fatmobile,
Did your shocks go bad because of the A4000 springs, or all the extra weight?

Post by **Fatmobile** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:38 am

The shocks went out before I put the Audi springs on.
Because with a load, they were riding too low and blowing them out.
That's what finally pushed me to go to the salvage yard and get these.

Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

Heavy Duty/Longer Shocks

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