Hi I'm Solow Suspension, here to help.

[ChappyOz]

@Solow Suspension
Hi Andy, I've had the SoLow NST setup on my work van for about 2 months now. Love the way it handles and looks now, especially with the new wheels.
I believe its down about 80mm... wheel centre to arch is around 385mm with my usual load of tools and stuff.
I had the alignment checked this week after finally sorting the wheels with the proper hub rings. See picture.
Toe in on right rear is off the charts from my understanding... and there was no adjustment left apparently.
So I'm guessing I should get some adjustable bushes, but it looks like even that wont be enough.
What do all the slammed guys do? Do they just put up with bad alignment and therefore bad tyre wear?
I dont really want to raise it much as it looks so much better and I can get into the smaller carparks now.

I appreciate your thoughts

View attachment 257275

View attachment 257276

I got another alignment done, this time going to a suspension specialist rather than the tyre place where I got the new wheels. As you can see it's set up perfectly now, just need to pay up for someone who knows what they are doing. I raised it a little before but it's still down about 75mm from standard. Rear camber may add to wear a little bit, but not worth changing bushes for just yet. Toe figures are in mm btw, so rear toe of 0.8mm equates to 0 degrees 6 minutes

 

[BenT5]

Hi, just a quick question, are the T5, T6 and T6.1 identical when it comes to suspension taking into account T28, T30 and T32 differences ?
TIA

 

[Gsixty]

Hi, just a quick question, are the T5, T6 and T6.1 identical when it comes to suspension taking into account T28, T30 and T32 differences ?
TIA

Quick answer, no.

 

[The Van Cave]

Hi, just a quick question, are the T5, T6 and T6.1 identical when it comes to suspension taking into account T28, T30 and T32 differences ?
TIA

No. Front shocks and springs are different on T6.1. Spring plate slightly lower, spring slightly longer and with a rubberised seat.

 

[BenT5]

No. Front shocks and springs are different on T6.1. Spring plate slightly lower, spring slightly longer and with a rubberised seat.

Ok thanks but can the same Solow original coilovers be fitted to all. I see the websites say for T5, T6, T6.1 ?

 

[The Van Cave]

Ok thanks but can the same Solow original coilovers be fitted to all. I see the websites say for T5, T6, T6.1 ?

Yes. On the T6.1 they need a longer drop link to prevent the ARB knocking on the chassis on bigger drops.

 

[BenT5]

Yes. On the T6.1 they need a longer drop link to prevent the ARB knocking on the chassis on bigger drops.

Ok great, I took my Solow originals off my T5.1 when I sold it so looking at a T6 or T6.1 for my next project and obviously want to use the Solows again.

 

[The Bear78]

Rear camber may add to wear a little bit, but not worth changing bushes for just yet. Toe figures are in mm btw, so rear toe of 0.8mm equates to 0 degrees 6 minutes

I ran Solows for about 15000 miles. They were set at the highest setting but this is still around the 100mm mark. Without the adjustable/offset bushes, the rear camber was visibly high but the tyre wear was perfectly even.
I don't recall the alignment figures but getting it right obviously did the trick. Admittedly, I'm rarely loaded up but I was pleasantly surprised, none the less.

 

[ChappyOz]

I ran Solows for about 15000 miles. They were set at the highest setting but this is still around the 100mm mark. Without the adjustable/offset bushes, the rear camber was visibly high but the tyre wear was perfectly even.
I don't recall the alignment figures but getting it right obviously did the trick. Admittedly, I'm rarely loaded up but I was pleasantly surprised, none the less.

Ok thanks, that's good to hear

 

[Fin5150]

SoLow "Low" coilovers now fitted, along with new strut top mounts, drop links and PU lower rear spring rubbers.
Delighted with the results. The ride is amazing, so smooth, no clunking or knocking and handles like a dream....enjoying driving my van again. Just a laser alignment to get done now, then hopefully, my tyre wear problems will be sorted.

 

[BenT5]

SoLow "Low" coilovers now fitted, along with new strut top mounts, drop links and PU lower rear spring rubbers.
Delighted with the results. The ride is amazing, so smooth, no clunking or knocking and handles like a dream....enjoying driving my van again. Just a laser alignment to get done now, then hopefully, my tyre wear problems will be sorted.

View attachment 261068
View attachment 261066View attachment 261067

Lovely van., it's amazing how good SoLows are especially when other suspension components are in good condition too.

 

[CRS Performance]

No. Front shocks and springs are different on T6.1. Spring plate slightly lower, spring slightly longer and with a rubberised seat.

Other way round , Shock spring plate higher , spring shorter , Standard springs on T6.1 all have a bonded rubber foot pad , after market industry cheats with a spring noise suppressor to make the fit better , we use the proper spring seat but made in Polyurethane , Obviously spring manufacturers wont invest the money to reproduce the correct bottom mount part ,

 

[The Van Cave]

Other way round , Shock spring plate higher , spring shorter , Standard springs on T6.1 all have a bonded rubber foot pad , after market industry cheats with a spring noise suppressor to make the fit better , we use the proper spring seat but made in Polyurethane , Obviously spring manufacturers wont invest the money to reproduce the correct bottom mount part ,

Ha ha yeah, wrong way round. 50 lashes for me tonight.

 

[CRS Performance]

Ha ha yeah, wrong way round. 50 lashes for me tonight.

I bet "her in doors" will enjoy that ?

 

[SmT]

Haha, you got me!!! Jokes aside i'm not here in disguise being Solow Suspension. I've just joined to answer suspension related questions, as I've been told about lots of lies being said on here about Solow, Bilstein and Twin Adjust Projekt. I Couldn't Really Stand any more so had to come here to let people know the truth. If i join as Transporter HQ, i'd spend all day answering questions about everything Transporter related.

To answer your question, yes! We have a habit in the Transporter world to buy suspension and set it as low as it will go for looks. The trouble is its not designed to run like that. It shouldn't be set that low. Either wind your ST's up and enjoy a more comfy ride (its a decent suspension after all) or go for a set up thats designed to go lower, like the NSL you mentioned.

I hope this helps

Andy (possibly from Transporter HQ)

Hello... are there any instructions about how to adjust Bilstein NSL Solows anywhere? I'm not sure if you just crawl under the van and use the supplied tool to wind them up or you have to jack up the van first, take the wheel off, or what? Also, would like to know how I'd know if I've jacked it up full height. Is it just that you can't turn it any further? Thanks.

 

[Stu007]

Sorry this might have been covered but running b14 at almost lowest setting.. the solow low at is highest setting is 100mm drop? Would the nxt be lower than my b14 setup on lowest setting? With the low set assuming would need to drop a tyre size to fit?