Ride Height Survey

[Montecha]

Ok - so I have to admit that I seem to have now developed OCTSSD (Obsessive Compulsive T-Six Suspension Disorder) it keeps me awake a night trying to figure out how to improve my ride comfort, is it my springs? Is it my dampers? Is it my wheel size? Or should I just admit I own a van

I'm looking for your help, I want to collect as much ride height info as I can, and the suspension (spring and dampers) you have plus wheel size that you are using, plus your view of the ride.

It's not exactly scientific as every van is different, but I will put all the collected data on one sheet and share it. Hopefully will be helpful to the group as a whole, and especially those looking to mod suspension.

It would be good to get some 'stock' information as well, so even if you haven't modified your van please add to the thread.

I'm measuring ride height from
wheel centre to wheel arch (as near perpendicular as possible).

So please add the following to the thread:

Vehicle Type:
Original Load Rating:
Ride Height Front:
Ride Height Rear:
Rake:
Springs:
Dampeners:
ARB:
Wheel size:
Tyre model:
Normal load:
Ride Comfort:

I'll start with mine below.

 

[Montecha]

Just reply to this.

Vehicle Type:
Original Load Rating:
Ride Height Front:
Ride Height Rear:
Rake:
Springs:
Dampeners:
ARB:
Wheel size:
Tyre model:
Normal load:
Ride comfort:

 

[Y8CEL]

Add standard or uprated anti roll bars to your list

 

[Connor]

You should add tyre size and type too as that can have a major impact on ride comfort.

 

[T6 Dave]

@Walski

I'm measuring Ride Height from wheel centre to wheel arch (as near perpendicular as possible).

 

[Montecha]

Vehicle Type: Kombi
Load Rating: T32
Ride Height Front: 400 mm
Ride Height Rear: 415 mm
Springs: -50 mm Eibach
Dampers: B8 Bilstein
Wheel Size: 20
Normal Load: Empty
Ride Comfort: Zero, Hard and Crashy

 

[Montecha]

You should add tyre size and type too as that can have a major impact on ride comfort.

Agree. I was being pessimistic about what folks would be happy to provide. Tyre size and Manufacturers would be useful to.

 

[Walski]

So here's mine:
Vehicle type: Panel Van 140 Highline full camper conversion
Load rating: T30
Ride height front: 317mm
Ride height rear: 312mm
Springs: HPDrivetech Bilstein shocks
Dampers: full airride system (AirLift 3P maganement system)
Wheel size: 19" front 8.5" ET35; rear 10" ET40
Tyre size: front 245/40/19; rear 275/40/19
Manufacture: Khumo Le sport
Normal load: ? Full camper conversion fully loaded bikes etc 2.8 tonnes????
Ride: very nice, not crash, don't have to pot hole dodge. Quite bouncy if I drive very low.

 

[Montecha]

Thanks Walski - that's pretty low!

Anyone lower ?

Would be good to get more input, anyone else out there?

The spreadsheet I put it in will allow you to filter on any of the contents so you can see what springs/dampers/tyres translate to in ride height and ride.

 

[Roadrunner]

Still as it came out of the showroom

 

[DaveyB]

Mine is:
T6 euro 5 180 manual
T32
Front height = 360mm
Rear height = 370mm
Springs & Dampers = Bilstein B14
Wheel size = 18"
Tyre size = 255/45/R18 Y 103
Tyre Manufacturer = Front Goodyear eagle F1 asymmetric 3, Rear Continental sport contact 5
Normal load = 4 occupants, kombi bed, towing variety of boats.
Comfort = Nice, firm without being harsh.
ARB's = standard VW.

 

[Montecha]

Thanks! I'll get it on the sheet,

I will be dropping over to Citygate Wooburn Green with my tape and get a selection of standard vehicles as well.

 

[former member]

Cali 204 4motion
Totally standard
Apparently on the firmest rear springs (7)
Rides fine but not exactly a track car.
Very comfy over long distances.

But not "keewell"
Which I like.

 

[Montecha]

If 'keewell' is not comfortable, then it's no longer 'keewell' !

 

[andythom188]

Vehicle Type: euro5 180 dsg 4motion swb kombi/caravelle rails and triple seat hilo roof
Load Rating: t32
Ride Height Front:390mm
Ride Height Rear:385mm
Springs: eibach -50mm racelines
Dampers: standard vw
Wheel Size:20"
Tyre Size:275/40/zr 20 106y
Tyre Manufacturer:jinju
Normal Load: empty apart from caravelle triple seat sitting nearly over rear axle
Ride Comfort:very nice not crashy do have to dodge pot holes
Anti Roll Bars:standard vw

 

[CaliStu]

Still as it came out of the showroom

I'd actually be interested to know what your ride height figures are? My Beach has quite a difference between front and rear.

 

[CaliStu]

Vehicle Type: California Beach MY16
Load Rating: T30
Ride Height Front: 450 mm
Ride Height Rear: 420 mm
Front springs: Standard (1BA). OJE (weight range 5). Colour 2 grey 1 green
Rear springs: Standard (1BA). OYB (weight range 2). Colour 3 pink (these colours might not be correct - just going by what the dealer said!)
Dampers: Factory
Anti-roll bars: Factory
Wheel Size: 18
Tyre size = 235/50/R18
Tyre model (summer) = Continental Sport Contact 5
Normal load = 4 people, some camping gear, maybe bikes
Comfort = Quite rolly polly bouncy and yet also quite crashy on rough roads.

 

[Montecha]

Thanks for your input so far but could really do with some more numbers and details.

Walski sets the standard for 'Low'......not entirely unexpacted .

I still need to get to a Van centre and get cracking with the Standard heights.

I'm keeping all the info and will provide all the details when it looks more meaningful, but for a quick comparison here's what I have so far.

 

[MrT6]

Vehicle type: Kombi Euro 6 150
Load rating: T30
Ride height front: 420mm
Ride height rear: 435mm
Springs: H&R 40mm
Dampers: OEM Original
Wheel size: 20-inch
Tyre size: 275/40/20
Manufacture: Uniroyal RainSport 3
Normal load: Light loading, 1-2 passengers, 1-2 MTBs, Occasional weekend luggage/stuff
Ride: More controlled, firm but not harsh. Less pogo-like than on OEM springs

 

[keith baker]

Vehicle Type:kombi
Load Rating:T30
Ride Height Front:410
Ride Height Rear:410
Springs:factory/dealer 40mm sportline
Dampers: normal
Wheel Size:16
Tyre Size:205/65
Tyre Manufacturer:Hankook
Normal Load:camper with rear kitchen
Ride Comfort:Harsh - really try to avoid potholes and drains.
Anti Roll Bars: normsl