Lowering by conversion firm or specialist - which direction?

[Wayne01]

Hi,

Hopefully you can help

We are looking to purchase our 1st VW after hiring one and previously many years camping. We have been to a couple of shows already this year to look around and planning to go to busfest as well visiting a couple of firms already, trying to get a feel for the options.

With regards to the van, I'm looking to get a lowered van just for cosmetic purposes however do I ask the conversion company to do it as part of the deal or look at the affersales companies I've seen on here from different people havingb used them with good feedback

As I mentioned the purpose is 90% cosmetic

Many thanks

 

[T6ChrisO]

Id go to a specialist personally. Quite a few to choose from on this site with the likes of @CRS Performance @BognorMotors @Dav-Tec just to name a few

 

[EAN]

IMHO, you need to do your research. You want a result that works rather than what might be being offered.
Plenty of suspension threads on here to scour through. Don’t end up with lowering springs that can’t cope with the conversion weight or unsprung mass and just end up being coil bound or you’ll end up with a van that might look cool but will be an absolutely awful drive.

 

[Greybeard]

Wot they said.
Definitely go to a specialist after your conversion is finished. The good ones will offer springs and damper rates to match the converted weight of the van, including raising the rear if need be, if it’s lower than the front etc.
Ring round, ask for options and test drives.

 

[TallPaul_S]

3rded. You wouldn't go to a suspension specialist and ask them to convert your van into a camper, would you?

 

[cgtmiles]

We had lowering springs fitted with the conversion along with some 19” wheels we bought. It was pretty cheap (40mm drop which equalled more like 70mm with the weight of the conversion, £400 if I remember correctly) and it made it look good when we collected it and I’m pleased we did it but it wasn’t long before we visited CRS to get it done properly. I made some money back by selling on the lowered springs on here too. This could be considered a waste of money but I’d do the same again.

 

[Wayne01]

Thanks, that's just confirmed my view as well.

 

[roadtripper]

If you're doing a conversion then I think the summary of the view around these parts is that you then need to get the suspension looked at even for non cosmetic reasons - the back of the van will be heavy once converted so you really need to get it level again for better handling.

And of course that means don't do it before conversion otherwise you may end up doing it twice...

 

[DXX]

With regards to the van, I'm looking to get a lowered van just for cosmetic purposes

IMO this will put restrictions on where you can take a campervan and some of the best spots are those that aren’t easily accessible.

 

[cgtmiles]

IMO this will put restrictions on where you can take a campervan and some of the best spots are those that aren’t easily accessible.

The key is to not get carried away and go too low! If I’m honest I did ask Steve at CRS to go a little lower than on the lowering springs but still conscious that it was a camper and so needed to navigate around fields and so far we haven’t had an issue with the height, traction on the other hand is another matter!

 

[Wayne01]

It's not going massive otherwise as you said issues with height, fields etc. Thanks

 

[Dav-Tec]

Give us a shout mate we can discuss options

 

[snavebelac]

Just to reiterate what others have said. Go specialist. We’ve had to do it twice. Converters did an OK job. Specialist made it great.

 

[CRS Performance]

Hi,

Hopefully you can help

We are looking to purchase our 1st VW after hiring one and previously many years camping. We have been to a couple of shows already this year to look around and planning to go to busfest as well visiting a couple of firms already, trying to get a feel for the options.

With regards to the van, I'm looking to get a lowered van just for cosmetic purposes however do I ask the conversion company to do it as part of the deal or look at the affersales companies I've seen on here from different people havingb used them with good feedback

As I mentioned the purpose is 90% cosmetic

Many thanks

It goes with out saying that the best place to get a good suspension set up is from a specialist , At CRS Performance, we only do suspension between 3 and 5 vans a day , we have more experience and a bigger range than anyone else . Our speciality is sensible drops and first class ride quality . Our after sales is legendary .

I would encourage you to call a few suppliers , ask lots of tech questions and from the answers it will quickly become apparent who knows what they are doing and who has the right product for you .

Our Definition Kit has been a game changer in this industry and we sell approx 50 sets a month with 100 % successful reviews , Give us a call for a full explanation

We do supply a lot of conversion companies , therefore if the company you use are capable of fitting suspension ? we can supply them and let them fit it for you and save you an extra trip .

Good luck with the search .

 

[ChrisBell]

My experience was slightly different but in many ways similar to the position a lot of folks may be in. I wanted to be lowered and was limited in terms of kit available for my van. The conversion company offered as part of their package to install one of the only coilover kits available. All in all I'm fairly happy, but do everytime I'm in van wonder how it compares to some of the T6 and T6.1 which I too frequently admire.

I would obviously love to have the 'CRS treatment' in the future on a new van, however, geographical location also comes into play. If you can wait then I'd agree that to go to a specialist would be best idea.

 

[T6Plumber]

3rded. You wouldn't go to a suspension specialist and ask them to convert your van into a camper, would you?

If only I could like this comment twice