lowering a T4 Transporter

**vwtyp2** · 25-07-2007, 10:26 AM

Anyone had experience dropping their t4?
I just bought some 40mm lower springs and haven't fitted them yet cos I don't think 40mm will be enough.
I've also heard that Caravelles ride 40mm lower than Transporters.
How much can you drop it before ride quality gets ****house?
I dropped my T3 100mm on the front and 80mm on the back, and although it looked sweet, you needed a kidney belt on rough roads.
I've got a reasonable wheel-arch gap to get rid of, but I don't want it to ride like the T3 did.

**Seano** · 25-07-2007, 10:51 AM

I haven't dropped my T4......I've actually raised it. But the principal is the same.

Velles do indeed ride lower than 'Porters but not 40mm.....it'd be more like 20mm.

The ride will stay good until such time as you get it low enough to repeatedly thump the bump stops. 40mm should be OK. However, bear in mind that it will be almost totally useless as a load carrying vehicle once you do the drop because any reasonable load will still make the wound down bars at the front flex like they were designed to do......which means you'll spend more time doing the bump stop break dance.....

The Poms that have dropped theirs 60mm almost always complain about what it has done to the ride - but they are typically loopy enough to think that its OK because it looks good. Very stupid people.

**WEDEL.1** · 25-07-2007, 06:45 PM

"Dietrich" the Green T4 was loweredonce. I grew tired of the mudflaps dragging on the ground each time I reversed out of our driveway. By lowering, it also lowered the roll out awning fitted to the side of the van (not a good idea with my height).

Ride quality was OK, after I raised the front a little.

The bottom line for me was....It looked great lowered (what vehicle doesn't?), but it was no longer practical.

You pay the money, and you take the chances.

Maris

**vwtyp2** · 25-07-2007, 08:31 PM

I found out that the lowest I can go is 379mm from the centre of the wheel to the edge of the wheel arch. It currently is 430 at the front and 450 in the back. So theoretically I can drop the front 50mm and the rear 70mm.
I just thought are the springs 40mm lower than Tranny or Velle?
If they're a 40mm Caravelle drop, then they'd be about right.
I don't intend to use the van for a heavy load carrying vehicle, I just fitted some rear seats and child restraints. The heaviest thing it'll carry is a few Mountain Bikes and riders.
I guess if I put the 40mm springs in and still want to go lower, I'll have some 40mm springs for sale.
Seano, while I was looking up the S.A. rules on height adjustment, it is actually illegal to raise a car in S.A.
Maris, how much did you lower the Green T4?

**WEDEL.1** · 25-07-2007, 09:00 PM

I think it was 50mm, but I could be wrong.

The Volksfactory may still have the rear springs.

Maris

**Seano** · 26-07-2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by vwtyp2

Seano, while I was looking up the S.A. rules on height adjustment, it is actually illegal to raise a car in S.A.

Then perhaps I should consider myself fortunate then that I don't live in South Oz.....

**vwtyp2** · 31-07-2007, 08:30 AM

well, I fitted the 40mm springs on friday night, and guess what?? It sits 40mm lower. I lowered the front by 50mm too.
I don't think I could get the front down any more than that without having the front end too loose.
It has affected the ride quality a little, but not to the extent of which my T3 was.
pics up soon...

**Seano** · 31-07-2007, 09:29 AM

Well done. Make sure that the van sits 1 degree down at the front (otherwise you risk some interesting brake behaviour in emergency situations as a result of fooling the brake distribution valve) and that you get a front wheel alignment soonest as the camber will be out big time.