30-35mm Lift? NON-AIR BAG

[Chris Ratay]

I'm looking to lift my T6.1 van 30-35mm for off-road overland travel, and am quite happy with the feel/"stiffness" of the stock suspension. I see a lot of people go with Bilsteins, and wondering about options within them and other quality options. No air suspension.

I don't know what I don't know.

What should I be looking at when deciding between various spring/shock options, and why?

Can I use the stock dampeners if lifting 30-35mm?

The more details, the better. Specific product names and/or links would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Californication69]

What about Air ?
Then you can lower for car parks.
And higher for better over landing….

 

[Chris Ratay]

What about Air ?
Then you can lower for car parks.
And higher for better over landing….

Thanks - traditional suspension is better for traveling the globe. If we get a failure, we can always replace with traditional shocks/springs.

I met someone recently in Europe and when one of his bags failed, it took a few weeks to get it resolved, and that was with the mfg sending a replacement immediately. South America and Asia will have fewer resources.

 

[DevillBelgium]

I think that depends on what type of airbags he has been rinding. If you use an common brand wich is widly used this should not be an issue. I usualy have my car tricked out by blacksheep Automotive in Belgium. They also work together now with Transporter HQ. Talk to them before making your choice final. Maybe you will change your mind on decinding to use something else. Or even use a different brand on suspension.

 

[andyinluton]

Thanks - traditional suspension is better for traveling the globe. If we get a failure, we can always replace with traditional shocks/springs.

I met someone recently in Europe and when one of his bags failed, it took a few weeks to get it resolved, and that was with the mfg sending a replacement immediately. South America and Asia will have fewer resources.

The vehicles I have owned with airbags, the bags have been cheap & take up a minimal amount of space as a spare part. Could you not just travel with a couple of spares & once you've used one try and get another shipped somewhere ahead of you?

I would have thought you would have exactly the same problem getting spares for traditional springs once you move away from VW standard items, with the added complication of them being bigger & heavier than air bags to get flown out if you need them quickly.

I would have thought if you are going to lift it you would be best off with spacers fitted & keeping the standard springs.

Have you looked into how far you can go off normal height before you start running into problems on a 4 motion with the CV joints.

 

[Chris Ratay]

Interested in non-Air solutions, thanks.

 

[DevillBelgium]

Interested in non-Air solutions, thanks.

Check out kw suspensions. You can use them to lower the car or go the other way depending on the springs you mount them with. Like I said talk ro rhe guys of Transporters HQ

 

[andyinluton]

Interested in non-Air solutions, thanks.

Here you go then, set of these & keep your original springs, these are 25mm but other sizes available.
Nothing to go wrong with them, keep standard Transporter springs with worldwide availability.

 

[Chris Ratay]

Here you go then, set of these & keep your original springs, these are 25mm but other sizes available.
Nothing to go wrong with them, keep standard Transporter springs with worldwide availability.



View attachment 112364

Thanks - I lifted my Ducato using 5cm spacers - easy, inexpensive, and did the job.

What's the downside with using these?

Do I need to add these diff spacers?

VW Transporter T5-T6.1 - Rear Differential Spacers - For Lifted 4Motion

Having raised suspension on your Transporter puts substantial wear & tear on certain parts, which is mitigated by Transporter rear differential spacers.

transporterhq.eu

 

[Defender90]

Thanks - I lifted my Ducato using 5cm spacers - easy, inexpensive, and did the job.

What's the downside with using these?

Do I need to add these diff spacers?

VW Transporter T5-T6.1 - Rear Differential Spacers - For Lifted 4Motion

Having raised suspension on your Transporter puts substantial wear & tear on certain parts, which is mitigated by Transporter rear differential spacers.

transporterhq.eu

View attachment 112417

I have eibach 35mm adjustable lift kit with t30 komfort struts and dampers and the diff spacers the ride is better than standard less body roll and very similar stiffness as standard best money I have spent it has changed the van into a capable soft offroad camper

 

[Chris Ratay]

I have eibach 35mm adjustable lift kit with t30 komfort struts and dampers and the diff spacers the ride is better than standard less body roll and very similar stiffness as standard best money I have spent it has changed the van into a capable soft offroad camper

Thanks. Similar to this?

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Defender90]

Thanks. Similar to this?

Pardon our interruption...

VW T5 / T6 Eibach 35mm Adjustable Lift Kit with T30 Komfort Struts & Dampers - T5/T6 Lift Kits, T5/T6 Swamper Parts - Transporter HQ

These struts have been designed by Eibach and Bilstein to enhance the ride from the Eibach Adjustable 35mm Lift Springs. The green Komfort B6 is designed to be 10-15% softer than the standard yellow version. With the approx. + 35mm perfectly tuned Eibach Pro Lift springs and the reinforced...

transporterhq.co.uk

this is the one its adjustable on the back,transporter hq fitted mine really good service.

 

[Cloudbreak]

TransporterHQ is doing a new 'SoLow' lift kit that is adjustable. Check out their recent Youtube release about their range.

 

[B J G]

The vehicles I have owned with airbags, the bags have been cheap & take up a minimal amount of space as a spare part. Could you not just travel with a couple of spares & once you've used one try and get another shipped somewhere ahead of you?

I would have thought you would have exactly the same problem getting spares for traditional springs once you move away from VW standard items, with the added complication of them being bigger & heavier than air bags to get flown out if you need them quickly.

I would have thought if you are going to lift it you would be best off with spacers fitted & keeping the standard springs.

Have you looked into how far you can go off normal height before you start running into problems on a 4 motion with the CV joints.

I'm looking to lift my T6.1 van 30-35mm for off-road overland travel, and am quite happy with the feel/"stiffness" of the stock suspension. I see a lot of people go with Bilsteins, and wondering about options within them and other quality options. No air suspension.

I don't know what I don't know.

What should I be looking at when deciding between various spring/shock options, and why?

Can I use the stock dampeners if lifting 30-35mm?

The more details, the better. Specific product names and/or links would be appreciated.

Thanks!

View attachment 112350

Point to consider is that raising has the same operating effect on the shock absorbers as does lowering ie you change the range of movement from the mid point of the original shockers..

Basically if going to do it, do the whole conversion setup in one go.

 

[Tarquers]

Released my inner geek to see what the effect would be from standard lift and tyres to larger tyres and a small lift. This is just meant as a bit of fun for those that are interested!

Used the concept of approach, departure and break over angle and calculated the difference at each height.

Approach angle goes from 11.7 to 12.9 then 14.4 degrees and break over from 14 to 15.8 to 17.4 degrees so conclusion is larger tyres and a lift do make a (small) difference.

For comparison a standard old school Land Rover defender 110 has a 38 degree approach angle, 40 degree break over and 29 degree departure angle.

My conclusion, lift will make a bit of a difference but in practical terms, I would say stick on standard kit and pick your route carefully.

 

[Chris Ratay]

Released my inner geek to see what the effect would be from standard lift and tyres to larger tyres and a small lift. This is just meant as a bit of fun for those that are interested!

Used the concept of approach, departure and break over angle and calculated the difference at each height.

Approach angle goes from 11.7 to 12.9 then 14.4 degrees and break over from 14 to 15.8 to 17.4 degrees so conclusion is larger tyres and a lift do make a (small) difference.

For comparison a standard old school Land Rover defender 110 has a 38 degree approach angle, 40 degree break over and 29 degree departure angle.

My conclusion, lift will make a bit of a difference but in practical terms, I would say stick on standard kit and pick your route carefully.

Thanks Geek Appreciate the info

 

[Defender90]

Thanks Geek Appreciate the info

Not sure about the calculation but I have the 35mm lift and 235/65/17 tyres and the ground clearance has massively increased

 

[WelshGas]

I'm looking to lift my T6.1 van 30-35mm for off-road overland travel, and am quite happy with the feel/"stiffness" of the stock suspension. I see a lot of people go with Bilsteins, and wondering about options within them and other quality options. No air suspension.

I don't know what I don't know.

What should I be looking at when deciding between various spring/shock options, and why?

Can I use the stock dampeners if lifting 30-35mm?

The more details, the better. Specific product names and/or links would be appreciated.

Thanks!

View attachment 112350

Sekiel, VW approved.

Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 Archive - Seikel

www.seikel.uk

 

[Tarquers]

Not sure about the calculation but I have the 35mm lift and 235/65/17 tyres and the ground clearance has massively increased

10mm from the tyres and 35mm from the suspension so yes, 45mm more or about 23% increase but I bet you still wouldn’t go rock crawling.

I have absolutely nothing against lift (or lowering) but my suggestion is the difference in performance between a lifted and a standard van are likely to be very minimal.

 

[Chris Ratay]

Here you go then, set of these & keep your original springs, these are 25mm but other sizes available.
Nothing to go wrong with them, keep standard Transporter springs with worldwide availability.



View attachment 112364

If using the spacers, are the rear diff spacers also necessary?

 

[Defender90]

10mm from the tyres and 35mm from the suspension so yes, 45mm more or about 23% increase but I bet you still wouldn’t go rock crawling.

I have absolutely nothing against lift (or lowering) but my suggestion is the difference in performance between a lifted and a standard van are likely to be very minimal.

22mm for tyre increase and 35mm+ for lift and spring adjustment,I won’t be rock crawling but it gives me better access to places I wouldn’t dream of going before the mods,also no sag on the back even when fully loaded

 

[Defender90]

If using the spacers, are the rear diff spacers also necessary?

Spacers and the old shock and spring are not comparable to the Ebach lift kit no reason why you should break a spring or shock and if you do I am sure one could be purchased from Ebach

 

[smilingit]

Hi,

I have a 2WD and been to Morocco offroad a lot last year on my T6 California. I thought of lifting and I am skeptical to spend €1500+ for gaining 4cm. Does it make so much of a difference that clearance? I don't get my head round on how this is 23% more cleareance...

Is 30-35mm the maximum one can obtain?
Similarly I don't get if it is worth going with spacers only (posts 8 and 9) for a few hundreds quid and which ones are good enough or the full kit?

 

[Chris Ratay]

In the end I didn't raise the van and shipped out to South America.

After 6-months my Seikel Rock Sliders are banged and bruised, and a valuable investment.

Traveled a bit with another T6.1 owner - their's is lifted and had full under body protection - he was reluctant to drive unpaved/corrugated roads as the suspension was very stiff and they said the ride was uncomfortable.

I run 225/65r17 BFGs and have parked in various 2.0m secure parking garages.

Air pressure
2.8bar for normal roads
2.0bar for potholed
1.5bar for unpaved/corrugation

* I am considering breather pipes and raising the air intake so I can cross water above the axels (upto the top of the tires).

 

[smilingit]

Do you know what they used to lift theirs? Do you have more details of your trip in South America? Wanted to do next year for SA winter.