B14’s on 20’s

[Ashjoli]

So I'm having the dilemma of what wheel/tyre size to get if I upgrade. I've just bought some b14's which are about to be fitted by recommendations of infinite amount of people on here. My question is, are many people running 20's on b14's and what is the ride like? I was running stock shocks and springs on 18 sportlines and found it a little bit harsh in the sense it's not smooth at all as theirs no weight in my van most of the time. Hoping the b14's will solve that one. If anyone lives in the Midlands and fancies taking me for a ride in a b14 20inch setup there's a couple of beers in it for you

 

[Tourershine]

B14s on lowest setting on 19s in Leicester if you struggle to find anyone local on 20s.
It's going to be a harder ride than your current setup, but gives you an idea.

Theres a few of us having a meet in Nottingham on 30th if you fancy it, and want to drive mine.

 

[Ashjoli]

Nice, thanks for the generous offer. Where abouts are you meeting and what time? I'm actually leaving to drive to the alps that night but will be passing through Nottingham on the way to Newark to pick someone up.

 

[Tourershine]

Nice, thanks for the generous offer. Where abouts are you meeting and what time? I'm actually leaving to drive to the alps that night but will be passing through Nottingham on the way to Newark to pick someone up.

Sorry mate, only just seen this.
We meeting at 11 at Woolaton park if you still fancy popping by.

 

[Vdubcuz]

I found my B14s running 20s give a lovely ride compared to the stock shocks and springs on a T32.
Haven’t had the ARBs done yet but I would say don’t worry.
Just run a decent profile of tyre, 40 profile seems to tick most boxes for a mix of comfort and decent handling.

 

[Ashjoli]

I've finally made the leap. Now on b14's with 20 wheels and the ride is so much better. Got 40 profile tyres and it's as low as it can go and still a good ride. I will probably raise it a bit anyway as there is a little rubbing on occasion under heavy load. Thanks for all the replies guys

 

[BognorMotors]

run a 265/40 or 275/35 and you won’t get rubbing

 

[swd80]

I'm new to the forum as I just bought a 2017 Caravelle LWB. It's at about 86K. Until recently it was owned by a VAG specialist and it appears to have been well looked after.

The Caravelle is lowered, and I contacted the specialist to ask what kit it was. They said it was a B14 T32 kit supplied and fitted by Transporter HQ, so I expect it will have been properly installed.
It also has 20" with Conti tyres (see below).

We love it, but the one thing that really stands out is poor ride quality. For the past 3 years we have had a Toyota Proace Verso Long 2.0d VIP that is going back to the lease company shortly which rides much better than the VW and even the Toyota is not something I would say is great (I have an Audi A4 S Line on 20" which rides better)

My questions are:

• It looks pretty low. I'd be happy to have it sit higher if that would improve the ride quality. Will it help?
• Should the ride on B14s be "good"? Or should it make the van crash and bang over every little imperfection? I've read a bit to suggest that the shocks in B14 kits are not great.
• Assuming the kit was installed when the van was fairly new (5 years and 86K ago), how long will they last and will deterioration made the ride quality bad?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[CAB]

I'm new to the forum as I just bought a 2017 Caravelle LWB. It's at about 86K. Until recently it was owned by a VAG specialist and it appears to have been well looked after.

The Caravelle is lowered, and I contacted the specialist to ask what kit it was. They said it was a B14 T32 kit supplied and fitted by Transporter HQ, so I expect it will have been properly installed.
It also has 20" with Conti tyres (see below).

We love it, but the one thing that really stands out is poor ride quality. For the past 3 years we have had a Toyota Proace Verso Long 2.0d VIP that is going back to the lease company shortly which rides much better than the VW and even the Toyota is not something I would say is great (I have an Audi A4 S Line on 20" which rides better)

My questions are:

• It looks pretty low. I'd be happy to have it sit higher if that would improve the ride quality. Will it help?
• Should the ride on B14s be "good"? Or should it make the van crash and bang over every little imperfection? I've read a bit to suggest that the shocks in B14 kits are not great.
• Assuming the kit was installed when the van was fairly new (5 years and 86K ago), how long will they last and will deterioration made the ride quality bad?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

View attachment 157587
View attachment 157588

Get yourself down to @CRS Performance in Cannock. Very many happy customers on the forum.

 

[CRS Performance]

I'm new to the forum as I just bought a 2017 Caravelle LWB. It's at about 86K. Until recently it was owned by a VAG specialist and it appears to have been well looked after.

The Caravelle is lowered, and I contacted the specialist to ask what kit it was. They said it was a B14 T32 kit supplied and fitted by Transporter HQ, so I expect it will have been properly installed.
It also has 20" with Conti tyres (see below).

We love it, but the one thing that really stands out is poor ride quality. For the past 3 years we have had a Toyota Proace Verso Long 2.0d VIP that is going back to the lease company shortly which rides much better than the VW and even the Toyota is not something I would say is great (I have an Audi A4 S Line on 20" which rides better)

My questions are:

• It looks pretty low. I'd be happy to have it sit higher if that would improve the ride quality. Will it help?
• Should the ride on B14s be "good"? Or should it make the van crash and bang over every little imperfection? I've read a bit to suggest that the shocks in B14 kits are not great.
• Assuming the kit was installed when the van was fairly new (5 years and 86K ago), how long will they last and will deterioration made the ride quality bad?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

View attachment 157587
View attachment 157588

Get the B14 s off there if you have budget, There longevity is very suspect , give us a call and we will point you in the right direction , the pic shows a kit originally fitted by one of the dealers on this forum. Less than 3 years old less than 30000 miles. Both front shocks leaking oil , both rear shocks bushes fell out. One rear spring snapped. , not good at all. Give us a bell and we can advise the best options ,

 

[Insert Coin]

My T32 B14’s are 4 years old, 35,000 miles, lots of towing a 1950kg caravan, no snapped springs and don’t look anything like the above.

But the ride is hard, especially paired up with stiffened arb’s, although cornering is very good, far better than a heavy square brick has any right to be.

I’ll be replacing mine soon for something that rides better, let’s hope the new kit is as reliable.

 

[swd80]

Get the B14 s off there if you have budget, There longevity is very suspect , give us a call and we will point you in the right direction , the pic shows a kit originally fitted by one of the dealers on this forum. Less than 3 years old less than 30000 miles. Both front shocks leaking oil , both rear shocks bushes fell out. One rear spring snapped. , not good at all. Give us a bell and we can advise the best options ,

View attachment 158394

View attachment 158395

Wow, scary thought. I'm booked in in a week's time to have the B14s lifted and a suspension check. Let's see what that comes back with and how it rides after that.
One thing I have noticed it's that if I turn into a side road that goes uphill, there is clanking noise from the back followed by a snap type noise a second or two later. It sounds like as the weight comes off the back inside wheel, the spring come loose and then reseats. Doesn't sound pleasant or classy!

 

[CRS Performance]

Wow, scary thought. I'm booked in in a week's time to have the B14s lifted and a suspension check. Let's see what that comes back with and how it rides after that.
One thing I have noticed it's that if I turn into a side road that goes uphill, there is clanking noise from the back followed by a snap type noise a second or two later. It sounds like as the weight comes off the back inside wheel, the spring come loose and then reseats. Doesn't sound pleasant or classy!

You should ask them what other brands they could do for you , I didn’t think many suppliers were doing B14 much anymore after all the bad press they were getting ?

 

[swd80]

Van went in today. Garage has just run to say that both rear springs are snapped - I had been hearing some bad clunks when you turn into a road (90 degree corner at low speed) so not really surprised about that.
What does surprise me is that the garage says the front kits are already at their highest setting. Does that sound right from the picture I posted above? They also say that the front kits are seized - they can't loosen the locking nuts.

I am torn whether to just replace the rear springs and see how that goes (they appear to be around £80 per spring), or get a whole new kit.

 

[BognorMotors]

It all depends on the vehicle weight and how old the suspension is - regarding the height - Heavier vehicles will invariably sit lower. The adjusters do seize, and can do on all coilover suspension over a period of time with a combination of the salt on the road etc - In most cases we can free them off, but they may need to remove them to do so. If you are happy with the setup, which sounds you are then replace the springs only - This is the cheapest option. If further down the line you want to upgrade - And there are many options out there now, at least you can sell you old kit and recoup some money.

HTH

 

[CRS Performance]

Van went in today. Garage has just run to say that both rear springs are snapped - I had been hearing some bad clunks when you turn into a road (90 degree corner at low speed) so not really surprised about that.
What does surprise me is that the garage says the front kits are already at their highest setting. Does that sound right from the picture I posted above? They also say that the front kits are seized - they can't loosen the locking nuts.

I am torn whether to just replace the rear springs and see how that goes (they appear to be around £80 per spring), or get a whole new kit.

If the picture is correct and the adjusters are set to max height this is the classic B 14 problem . NOT fit for purpose in all vans , and the kit isn't coping with the weight, -shouldn't have been fitted like that in the first place , but too may suppliers of that kit simply didn't understand its limitations in the past , Thank fully some have learnt now and offer better things , . Cheapest solution, change springs but it will happen again so maybe talk to the knowledgeable and get something better ,
We have removed 3 kits this week and one of them was the B14 kit with KONI shocks called Twin adjust project , all nonsense in reality .

 

[swd80]

The garage took some pics of the kit underneath so I'll share them here for your wisdom once they send them through. I will get the springs replaced in the meantime and see if that helps the ride quality.

 

[CRS Performance]

The garage took some pics of the kit underneath so I'll share them here for your wisdom once they send them through. I will get the springs replaced in the meantime and see if that helps the ride quality.

Ride quality is a shock function not the spring BUT if a coil has broken the van will; sit a little lower and this will cause premature bottoming which isnt helping comfort.
good luck

We sell much better rear springs ( stronger and can carry the weight ) but they wont fit the B14 rear perch and for us to supply the springs and the perch is expensive unfortunately ,

 

[swd80]

Here are the pics of the front and rear B14 setups. Do these look like they are set to sit the van high or low? I suspect once the rear springs are replaced, the rear will sit higher, right?

 

[BognorMotors]

Yes they are set at full height