What drop on 235/55 R18 All Terrains

[Mike-]

Evening,

So looking to change my springs due to corrosion. Currently sat on -40 springs.

What's my best option as I am running 235/55 R18 All Terrain Tyres.T6 LWB 4MOTION

-40 again or back to VW standard? I can't find anything in between and the side bars slightly rub the ground when pulling onto my drive. If I stay -40 will probably remove the bars.

Could do just springs or full kit.

Thanks

 

[Kind of Blue]

All Terrain are an off-road capable tyre and your having a 4Motion suggests at least campsites. So by -40 does that suggest a drip of 40mm ten return to stock height at least Fit Koni with new quality springs from someone on here. Most people would be better off with just AS tyres such a Cross Climate or something similar from another quality manufacturer they would give better characteristics for on road use and do mos people for trudging across a camping fields most of the year. Of course AT will out perform them when the going gets boggier or tougher as AT are built tougher and will take more abuse and scuffs.

 

[Mike-]

All Terrain are an off-road capable tyre and your having a 4Motion suggests at least campsites. So by -40 does that suggest a drip of 40mm ten return to stock height at least Fit Koni with new quality springs from someone on here. Most people would be better off with just AS tyres such a Cross Climate or something similar from another quality manufacturer they would give better characteristics for on road use and do mos people for trudging across a camping fields most of the year. Of course AT will out perform them when the going gets boggier or tougher as AT are built tougher and will take more abuse and scuffs.

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Yes, currently dropped by 40mm so would not want anymore than this. Ideally something in the middle at 20mm but that does not seem to be a thing unless I go air.

This is mainly a leisure vehicle and will spend a lot of time at events going in and out of boggy farm fields which are often filled with stuck vans. The ride quality is a lot better than I expected and as not doing huge miles was a compromise I was willing to take to not get stuck.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Some events can cause some people quite some problems, the tyres will certainly cure that. Air would be very nice, the best of all worlds, Set it for driving on road, lift it for clearances off-road, drop it for overhead barriers, level it for camping up or brewing up. That would be great! When I bought my Caravelle Exec 4Motion with diff-lock, I was going to go air but then the virus came and Brexit effects the latter still hanging around. I lost a little interest. We had this vehicle and for a few years could not go very far because of restrictions and just hopping on the ferry at a moments notice seamed unlikely. I do still have an interest in air but I do not want to be scrapping my bottom on the ground, I am not a dog with worms ha. I just need height for off-road use,and as above clearance and levelling. It seems however that many of the camps want one to use the dampers of their choice and I only want to use KONI Adjustable Dampers and a set up with the greatest lift. Of course all very costly but would make it very useful. I would need the approval from the real boss SWMBO who was very keen but we have other things pulling at the £ like almost nearly everyone else. Still needs a snorkel as well and some cash on a few inside things. So we shall see. Not to mention a tipping trailer. I use BFG 255/55R18 AT

 

[Savagenoize]

I have 30mm lower VW Sportline springs, and 235/55*18 Falken Wildpeaks. Seems to be a good compromise for the 4motion on and off road.

 

[Mike-]

I have 30mm lower VW Sportline springs, and 235/55*18 Falken Wildpeaks. Seems to be a good compromise for the 4motion on and off road.

View attachment 270879

Thanks, looks good. Not sure how much extra drop I will get with the extra weight of a pop top and steel frames bed in the back. Plus LWB.

 

[richcr]

T6 Caravelle execs come lowered 20mm as standard - so if you're looking for that drop, maybe try and source some OEM caravelle springs?

 

[The Bear78]

Thanks, looks good. Not sure how much extra drop I will get with the extra weight of a pop top and steel frames bed in the back. Plus LWB.

It would be worth measuring your arch gap for a true indication of how low you actually are.
Standard Transporters should sit at around 460mm. This is from the 12 o'clock position on the wheel arch, straight down to the wheel centre.
In my experience, it will not be what you expect, especially if you are carrying extra load.

 

[AeonMach]

It would be worth measuring your arch gap for a true indication of how low you actually are.
Standard Transporters should sit at around 460mm. This is from the 12 o'clock position on the wheel arch, straight down to the wheel centre.
In my experience, it will not be what you expect, especially if you are carrying extra load.

Yes exactly! I concur with this @Mike- given I was previously on what were supposedly -40 lowering springs but with a heavy 4Mo LWB which is then converted it was then more like -70 or 80! They were designed for maybe a light sports van but not for heavy(ish) laden one.
Unless your drive is particularly bad then your mention of side bars rubbing also makes me guess you’re maybe lower than the advertised -40!!

I got new springs from @CRS Performance which carry the weight much better…
And I’m now on 235/55/R18s - although all-season (AS) rather than the full swamper AT!

 

[Mike-]

T6 Caravelle execs come lowered 20mm as standard - so if you're looking for that drop, maybe try and source some OEM caravelle springs?

Interesting, thanks for the info.

 

[Mike-]

It would be worth measuring your arch gap for a true indication of how low you actually are.
Standard Transporters should sit at around 460mm. This is from the 12 o'clock position on the wheel arch, straight down to the wheel centre.
In my experience, it will not be what you expect, especially if you are carrying extra load.

Thanks. Measures at about 400mm.

 

[Mike-]

Yes exactly! I concur with this @Mike- given I was previously on what were supposedly -40 lowering springs but with a heavy 4Mo LWB which is then converted it was then more like -70 or 80! They were designed for maybe a light sports van but not for heavy(ish) laden one.
Unless your drive is particularly bad then your mention of side bars rubbing also makes me guess you’re maybe lower than the advertised -40!!

I got new springs from @CRS Performance which carry the weight much better…
And I’m now on 235/55/R18s - although all-season (AS) rather than the full swamper AT!

Thanks. Measures at about 400mm. Currently just a Kombi. Pop top going on next month.

I have a strange drive. It’s the pitch if that makes sense. Up the pavement slope and then it’s when the wheels head down the drive the pitch between pavement and drive rubs.

 

[The Bear78]

...I have a strange drive. It’s the pitch if that makes sense. Up the pavement slope and then it’s when the wheels head down the drive the pitch between pavement and drive rurubs.

I had similar problems at my old house. The peak between the pavement and my drive would always catch my old E36 BMW although, that was very low!!
I had to reverse on at an obscure angle then swing the front round. That soon got tiresome!!

 

[AeonMach]

Thanks. Measures at about 400mm. Currently just a Kombi. Pop top going on next month.

I have a strange drive. It’s the pitch if that makes sense. Up the pavement slope and then it’s when the wheels head down the drive the pitch between pavement and drive rubs.

So IIRC and/or assuming @The Bear78 has the standard ride height correct at 460mm, you are already at -60mm (not -40mm) with as you note a currently unconverted van (ie before you add weight!) - although noting that a LWB 4Mo is already a wee bit heavy (I have the same myself!!). As I suspected!

Get yourself to @CRS Performance and get yourself some springs that can actually carry your weight!

(And I think I understand your drive problem; it sounds like you’ve got a real hump over the pavement and the down your drive?! The combo of low and LWB isn’t helping!)

 

[AeonMach]

PS having said that even with my stronger springs I’m probably STILL at perhaps -60mm…!! But I’m happy with that with my urban sports stealth camper look

 

[Mike-]

Thanks all. Think I am going back to standard height.

Anyone got pics of their van at standard height on 235/55 R18’s?

Cheers