Suspension recommendation for campervan.
- Thread starter DPS
- Start date
KONI do 2 different performance shocks for the Transporter , the FSD is designed for normal height but we have applied them up to 40 mm drops , the adjustable ones for drops up to 50 mm , 60 mm is the limit , 50 to 75 mm drops we use a specialist coil over kit which is branded H&R but has the KONI adjustable damping shocks in it , This later kit is expensive but far better than any of the competition including the very popular B14 because we can adjust the rebound forces on the shock absorber ,
Either shock kit £ 695.00 fitted and the coil over kit fitted £1485.00 fitted .
Either shock kit £ 695.00 fitted and the coil over kit fitted £1485.00 fitted .
Thanks. Am happy sticking with 40mm.
Does £694 include the H&R springs? I'm not sure what the chap I bought from fitted. Could be a cheaper make/spring if there is one.
If the van is still sitting at 40 mm it means the van ( springs ) haven't sagged ad therefore probably a good make , Poor quality springs do tend to sag due to poor spec spring steel . the price is for the shocks only , H&R springs from the UK importer are £245.00 ( there are a lot of grey imports on E bay cheaper but warranty wont exist on them and H&R in UK give a life time warranty .
I have H&R -40 springs on mine and its closed the arch gap but still usable. They are a quality spring and I would only go for a recognised brand - Bilstein, Eibach, KW or VW’s own sportline springs.
the H&R springs come in two weight varieties depending on what van you have.
the H&R springs come in two weight varieties depending on what van you have.
@Cranny843 ...Hi ...mines on 30mm factory Eibach springs..thats not what ur asking...But you mentioned used for work, so if you carry much weight be aware some springs may not be rated for work as well as play...sometimes it’s a trade off..and unfortunately a good price don’t always give good value..mines a T32 hence sportline springs ..but if you want some help try @CRS Performance or @BognorMotors 
As I understand T28/T30 are compatible but T32 has different setup....try the search bar, loads of threads on similar subject
Looks a little bit too much that for me as I do carry tools and materials and have side bars so think I’m better with 40mm
Looks mint though
The quality of the spring steel is one issue and cheaper steel ( not Chrome silica ) can sag over time which makes the spring softer . this is a recipe for a disaster an ever lowering van softer springs running out of travel , BAD ride results , The other point is the design of the shock and the corrosion resistance , Cheaper kits seem to rust up much quicker and then snapping becomes common , The standard shocks are pretty crap actually so fitting springs alone will already compromise ride and handling . Please don't fall for the nonsense that a lowering spring makes the car handle better ??? . Buy the best you can . and consider fitting sport shocks because that is a RESULT . good luck
As above agreed with @CRS Performance and I’d recommend H&R over the cheaper spring if that’s all your budget will stretch too. On 18’s it will ride ‘better’ and with more control than standard, albeit firmer.
Hi all,
I have a 102BHP T28 camper conversion
It has had some cheap and not so nice coil overs fitted about two years ago
So I’m looking to upgrade so to speak
What can you recommend, cheaper end or dear end
Looking for a bit of comfort but a lot less body roll if possible
Looked at the following
B14,s
ST by KW
Chilli jams duo control
CRS dual shock
Any advise welcome good or bad
Thanks in advance
Andy
I have a 102BHP T28 camper conversion
It has had some cheap and not so nice coil overs fitted about two years ago
So I’m looking to upgrade so to speak
What can you recommend, cheaper end or dear end
Looking for a bit of comfort but a lot less body roll if possible
Looked at the following
B14,s
ST by KW
Chilli jams duo control
CRS dual shock
Any advise welcome good or bad
Thanks in advance
Andy
Hi Andy , in all honesty I would say that there is more than enough debate on here to answer the questions you have ! . Only you can make a decision, but I feel its our job to help you make the right decision, we know that all those kits you mentioned are rated highly and some better than others . However , I can not stress enough that if you went with a correctly spec'd and adjusted Sport kit in a camper van , you will be happier than fitting a coil over ?? I understand that the TRENDY thing to do is to fit a coil over kit but in reality the coil over manufacturers didn't have Camper vans in mind when developing their various offerings . please see the thread that J8mes has just posted this evening regarding his recent suspension work.
The advantage of a sport kit is we can give you a stronger rear spring to correct the rake which is affected badly by a camper conversion you don't have the woe's of the one spring fits all and breaking rear spring issue that some customers experience . ( see thread today regarding towing Caravan which I think you also commented on ? )
I know this system isn't heavily promoted by other dealers , But we have had tremendous success with them particularly in Camper Vans , Its more comfortable , more flexible on spring rates , we can adjust damping values to suit the wheels you have and the overall result is perfect . Its cheaper than all the kits you mentioned in the thread opening statement as well . Happy to discuss the technical benefits with you any time .
The advantage of a sport kit is we can give you a stronger rear spring to correct the rake which is affected badly by a camper conversion you don't have the woe's of the one spring fits all and breaking rear spring issue that some customers experience . ( see thread today regarding towing Caravan which I think you also commented on ? )
I know this system isn't heavily promoted by other dealers , But we have had tremendous success with them particularly in Camper Vans , Its more comfortable , more flexible on spring rates , we can adjust damping values to suit the wheels you have and the overall result is perfect . Its cheaper than all the kits you mentioned in the thread opening statement as well . Happy to discuss the technical benefits with you any time .
I've read a lot about suspension on here since I bought my van and it's a subject I follow with interest. For reference I currently run B14s on their lowest setting, with rear adjuster rings removed and machined top front mounts to get just a touch lower. I like the look and the ride is acceptable with excellent handling.
For me, if I was looking for suspension again, the choices become pretty simple once I look at the specific requirements and costs, looking for quality, but value for money. There are a few scenarios I guess, and what I would choose for each are laid out below and applies to campers, Kombis, PVs etc.
1. Up to 50mm lowering and looking for comfort but much better body control: For this I would go with CRS and one of his sport shocks and matched lowering spring combos. I've driven a van with B14s set at highest setting which was approx 50mm lowering and it was fantastic, but the B14s are quite a bit more expensive than Steve's offering and every review of his setup has been massively positive. That's not always the case with B14s depending on who you talk to.
2. Approx 50-80mm lowering looking for a good stance and great handling: This is the most competitive part of the market I think, but CRS would win this one again and I would go with the H&R/Koni damping adjustable coilover kit. Yes, it's more expensive than B14s, but you're getting damping rate adjustable, proper coilovers, not just a threaded sleeve over kit like B14s. The H&R/Koni are also dual tube so must be more comfortable than high pressure monotube B14s. The ST KW kit or the Chilli Jam options look good in this bracket too, but the additional features of the H&R/Koni kit from Steve at CRS would win for me. I don't know of another product on the market for the T6 that has all the features of the H&R/Koni kit that Steve can supply at that kind of price. They look a really high quality item too.
3. Maximum static Low: Only really one option here for me and that's SoLow from THQ. Everyone who has them that I have either spoken to in person, or seen posts from has said how good they are at providing a good quality ride and handling whilst getting your van really low.
In summary, I wouldn't fit B14s again. Now that's not because I'm not happy with them, I am, they ticked all the boxes I needed them to when I ordered them and they continue to be just what I wanted. The ride is very good and I would only complain on the absolute worst road surfaces. That is, of course, subjective though. Why wouldn't I get them again? Simply because there are now other options out there for similar money that look to be a better product.
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