Suspension

[simonwilletts]

Just taken delivery of my new California Ocean.

Having had Vw's conversions of many form and type through the years I know from experiece the one part that gets overlooked is a suspension and spring upgrade and upgrade to the antiroll bar after filling it with a load more weight and a elevating roof. Whilst it is very suprising that the Cali Ocean at circa 80K with the options they still dont offer this as an upgrade....or did not when I orddered 12 months ago......However I was prepared for this so kept back £1500 which I bet is less than VW would do it for if they offered an upgrade, and drove up the M5 and M6 to visit Steve from CRS suspensions.

This is a little shout out for him not that he needs it as I got his name from others on this forum, but just to say if Carsberg were making and fitting suspension kits to VW T6's they would have him heading up their team. So if anyone is any doubt and wants their Cali to handle more like a car, well better than my Landrover Discovery which definatly pay attention to fitting the correct suspension for the job its intended to be used for, then give Steve a call on 07469 785932 for a chat first.

Using my Cali as an everyday vehicle it was inportant that it handled better and insuring that the back was not lower than the front is essential......how that is done what kit is best for you to do this with and more, needs an expert with many years of experience with the T5 and 6. Steve's confidence in his expertise and knowledge will leave you in no doubt if you are in any way considering.

Thanks for those before me on this site that passed me his name, which is why I am happy to do the same.

 

[kurienp]

Just taken delivery of my new California Ocean.

Having had Vw's conversions of many form and type through the years I know from experiece the one part that gets overlooked is a suspension and spring upgrade and upgrade to the antiroll bar after filling it with a load more weight and a elevating roof. Whilst it is very suprising that the Cali Ocean at circa 80K with the options they still dont offer this as an upgrade....or did not when I orddered 12 months ago......However I was prepared for this so kept back £1500 which I bet is less than VW would do it for if they offered an upgrade, and drove up the M5 and M6 to visit Steve from CRS suspensions.

This is a little shout out for him not that he needs it as I got his name from others on this forum, but just to say if Carsberg were making and fitting suspension kits to VW T6's they would have him heading up their team. So if anyone is any doubt and wants their Cali to handle more like a car, well better than my Landrover Discovery which definatly pay attention to fitting the correct suspension for the job its intended to be used for, then give Steve a call on 07469 785932 for a chat first.

Using my Cali as an everyday vehicle it was inportant that it handled better and insuring that the back was not lower than the front is essential......how that is done what kit is best for you to do this with and more, needs an expert with many years of experience with the T5 and 6. Steve's confidence in his expertise and knowledge will leave you in no doubt if you are in any way considering.

Thanks for those before me on this site that passed me his name, which is why I am happy to do the same.

It is always surprising what people put up with on suspension when it comes to a Cali/Van. Agree - One of the first component that needs to be sorted to make driving more enjoyable. Steve at CRS Performance is well known the van/T6/Transporter circles and comes well regarded

 

[two-saabs]

Just taken delivery of my new California Ocean.

Having had Vw's conversions of many form and type through the years I know from experiece the one part that gets overlooked is a suspension and spring upgrade and upgrade to the antiroll bar after filling it with a load more weight and a elevating roof. Whilst it is very suprising that the Cali Ocean at circa 80K with the options they still dont offer this as an upgrade....or did not when I orddered 12 months ago......However I was prepared for this so kept back £1500 which I bet is less than VW would do it for if they offered an upgrade, and drove up the M5 and M6 to visit Steve from CRS suspensions.

This is a little shout out for him not that he needs it as I got his name from others on this forum, but just to say if Carsberg were making and fitting suspension kits to VW T6's they would have him heading up their team. So if anyone is any doubt and wants their Cali to handle more like a car, well better than my Landrover Discovery which definatly pay attention to fitting the correct suspension for the job its intended to be used for, then give Steve a call on 07469 785932 for a chat first.

Using my Cali as an everyday vehicle it was inportant that it handled better and insuring that the back was not lower than the front is essential......how that is done what kit is best for you to do this with and more, needs an expert with many years of experience with the T5 and 6. Steve's confidence in his expertise and knowledge will leave you in no doubt if you are in any way considering.

Thanks for those before me on this site that passed me his name, which is why I am happy to do the same.

Thanks for the tip, will keep the post saved for future reference

 

[66tim99]

Thanks for the tip, will keep the post saved for future reference

I’ve never worked out where my bookmarked threads are. Any idea?

 

[pluc99]

Thanks for the tip, will keep the post saved for future reference

Do you have/know someone in CH that has a good reputation for this?

 

[two-saabs]

I’ve never worked out where my bookmarked threads are. Any idea?

Using a PC, click your account icon in the top right hand corner, you can toggle between the green text "Your Account" and yellow text "Bookmarks"

 

[two-saabs]

Do you have/know someone in CH that has a good reputation for this?

Not yet, sounds like we have a joint mission

 

[two-saabs]

Using a PC, click your account icon in the top right hand corner, you can toggle between the green text "Your Account" and yellow text "Bookmarks"

Just realised the colours are context sensitive, so other way round makes sense... green is the tab you are on, and yellow for the other tab, still, check the tabs and click bookmarks

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

Just taken delivery of my new California Ocean.

Having had Vw's conversions of many form and type through the years I know from experiece the one part that gets overlooked is a suspension and spring upgrade and upgrade to the antiroll bar after filling it with a load more weight and a elevating roof. Whilst it is very suprising that the Cali Ocean at circa 80K with the options they still dont offer this as an upgrade....or did not when I orddered 12 months ago......However I was prepared for this so kept back £1500 which I bet is less than VW would do it for if they offered an upgrade, and drove up the M5 and M6 to visit Steve from CRS suspensions.

This is a little shout out for him not that he needs it as I got his name from others on this forum, but just to say if Carsberg were making and fitting suspension kits to VW T6's they would have him heading up their team. So if anyone is any doubt and wants their Cali to handle more like a car, well better than my Landrover Discovery which definatly pay attention to fitting the correct suspension for the job its intended to be used for, then give Steve a call on 07469 785932 for a chat first.

Using my Cali as an everyday vehicle it was inportant that it handled better and insuring that the back was not lower than the front is essential......how that is done what kit is best for you to do this with and more, needs an expert with many years of experience with the T5 and 6. Steve's confidence in his expertise and knowledge will leave you in no doubt if you are in any way considering.

Thanks for those before me on this site that passed me his name, which is why I am happy to do the same.

Thanks for the review.
My T6.1 does a reasonable job on the potholes around here but is quite crashy and rolls a lot in the corners.
CRS have a great reputation on the T6 forum.
What did you go for H&R springs & Koni's?

 

[soulstyledevon]

This is a real subjective matter.
Personally, I couldn’t get on with the set-up and had it removed after just 4 weeks.
Had lowered vans in the past, been fine.
Perhaps it’s an age thing. But much prefer the supple damping of the original springs.
Shame, it looked great lowered.

Would like to try a van with Coilovers, just to compare…

 

[66tim99]

This is a real subjective matter.
Personally, I couldn’t get on with the set-up and had it removed after just 4 weeks.
Had lowered vans in the past, been fine.
Perhaps it’s an age thing. But much prefer the supple damping of the original springs.
Shame, it looked great lowered.

Would like to try a van with Coilovers, just to compare…

Interesting. Did you upgrade the ARB's, and keep them?

 

[two-saabs]

This is a real subjective matter.
Personally, I couldn’t get on with the set-up and had it removed after just 4 weeks.
Had lowered vans in the past, been fine.
Perhaps it’s an age thing. But much prefer the supple damping of the original springs.
Shame, it looked great lowered.

Would like to try a van with Coilovers, just to compare…

Agree, in previous cars I've twice switched from sports suspension back to the standard setup, it's indeed very subjective.

My logic is, why try make a van handle like a car? Strange benchmark in my opinion.

And here goes... Shouldn't we trust VW engineering know what they are doing and not mess with their perfect design?

(Runs and hides)

 

[soulstyledevon]

Interesting. Did you upgrade the ARB's, and keep them?

I didn’t.
I replaced the shocks and springs only.
Maybe it was interior of the Cali or weight, you would get a thud through the van, which I really didn’t like. Steering was heavier too, but these things you have to expect with lowering.
Some might be satisfied with the changes and find the damping enough ok.

In fairness, it wasn’t terrible. Just wasn’t good enough.

The other thing I didn’t like. Steve fits spacers to the rear shocks. Which makes the van higher at the back. Aesthetically it looks right.
However, what I’ve found. The van never feels level.

I haven’t had these removed yet, but it’s on my to do list…

 

[soulstyledevon]

Got to admit, it looked so much better lower…



Possibly going this direction next

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

I didn’t.
I replaced the shocks and springs only.
Maybe it was interior of the Cali or weight, you would get a thud through the van, which I really didn’t like.

This is what my van feels like standard. Ok on good roads but a shuddering thud felt though the van over big bumps.
Opinions on the T6 forum are that VW have cheapened the suspenion components they use for the T6.1 hence the number of people changing their suspension.

 

[66tim99]

This is what my van feels like standard. Ok on good roads but a shuddering thud felt though the van over big bumps.
Opinions on the T6 forum are that VW have cheapened the suspenion components they use for the T6.1 hence the number of people changing their suspension.

I guess Steve would have a view on that. I've gone for DCC so we'll see if that makes a difference.

 

[kave]

Got to admit, it looked so much better lower…

View attachment 82901

Possibly going this direction next

View attachment 82902

Nice, any idea what rim and tyre on this one?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Nice, any idea what rim and tyre on this one?

I really don’t know. I’ve tried zooming on the picture, but still can’t see it clearly enough.

 

[soulstyledevon]

This is what my van feels like standard. Ok on good roads but a shuddering thud felt though the van over big bumps.
Opinions on the T6 forum are that VW have cheapened the suspenion components they use for the T6.1 hence the number of people changing their suspension.

Some nice guys.
But take what they say with a pinch of salt.
For years I’ve had modified vans and some of the raved about mods, really didn’t live up to expectations.

I remember the old T4 forum and the Project Power mod.
It delivered incredible power, but the engine never ran as smooth again.
You have to read between the lines and figure what works for you and sometimes be prepared to revert back.

There’s a bit of sheep mentality on some forums

 

[two-saabs]

Some nice guys.
But take what they say with a pinch of salt.
For years I’ve had modified vans and some of the raved about mods, really didn’t live up to expectations.

I remember the old T4 forum and the Project Power mod.
It delivered incredible power, but the engine never ran as smooth again.
You have to read between the lines and figure what works for you and sometimes be prepared to revert back.

There’s a bit of sheep mentality on some forums

Indeed, confirmation bias

(See the irony )

 

[B J G]

Currently Larkspeed have an EBAY 20% discount on parts.
They have Eibach Springs, various fitments. poly bushes and a new Koni shockabsorber for the rear which although costly (£216 per pair) looks ideal.
Front also available

Koni Special-Active Rear Shock for VW Transporter T5/T6 03>19 | eBay

That is why they are now being sold as individual shock absorbers and not as kits as they were with FSD. However, as with all Koni shocks, they must be fitted in axle sets (both left and right). Koni Special-Active - The Seemingly Impossible Realised.

www.ebay.co.uk

Note! I recently bought 2 items with an EBAY 20% off but max £75 discount. I split the parts into 2 orders and achieved a £91 discount.
Discount only with some sellers.

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

Currently Larkspeed have an EBAY 20% discount on parts.
They have Eibach Springs, various fitments. poly bushes and a new Koni shockabsorber for the rear which although costly (£216 per pair) looks ideal.
Front also available

Koni Special-Active Rear Shock for VW Transporter T5/T6 03>19 | eBay

That is why they are now being sold as individual shock absorbers and not as kits as they were with FSD. However, as with all Koni shocks, they must be fitted in axle sets (both left and right). Koni Special-Active - The Seemingly Impossible Realised.

www.ebay.co.uk

Note! I recently bought 2 items with an EBAY 20% off but max £75 discount. I split the parts into 2 orders and achieved a £91 discount.
Discount only with some sellers.

Nice discount.
Thoses are the shocks i have on my van and can recommend them.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Isn't half the cause of crashing ride having big wheels with low profile tyres?

 

[B J G]

Yes, a case of looks before function.
Roads don't help.

 

[_Tom_]

Some nice guys.
But take what they say with a pinch of salt.
For years I’ve had modified vans and some of the raved about mods, really didn’t live up to expectations.

I remember the old T4 forum and the Project Power mod.
It delivered incredible power, but the engine never ran as smooth again.
You have to read between the lines and figure what works for you and sometimes be prepared to revert back.

There’s a bit of sheep mentality on some forums

Hello,

I’d really appreciate an update on the suspension setup as I’m looking to upgrade

t6 ocean

Thanks!

Tom