Suffering from pothole-itis - transition to Swamper

[t6blo]

Had my T6 about 2 years now. It came on 16" Claytons and -55mm Cobra lowering springs. The delivery miles standard springs were in the back of the van when I brought it home.

Went for some dealer take-off 19" Amarok Cantera wheels and 245/45/19 tyres and ran it like this for about 18 months.




Just recently the roads have been getting noticeably worse round my way and I also noticed the low profile tyres and general ride, dodging potholes, was getting tiresome.

So I decided to explore the Swamper look...

Ended up buying some GOJOS 16" Modular Steels and BF Goodrich 235/70/16 and getting my original springs refitted by a local independent specialist.

All I can say is wow - it is like a different van. No longer wincing at every bump and dip, handling is still good, ride is much more compliant and comfortable.

Incidentally, the Cobra springs were pretty much knackered - they were coil-bound and pretty much running fully compressed which explains the ride becoming harsher over time.

You can read about my journey on my personal blog if you want to know specifics (including links to the parts I bought) - Alan Flay / The Development - VW T6 Swamper Project

 

[Mateus]

Great blog - really helpful... was away in NW Scotland last week and was looking at this exact set up so perfect timing for me at least!!

 

[t6blo]

Great blog - really helpful... was away in NW Scotland last week and was looking at this exact set up so perfect timing for me at least!!

Glad it helped

 

[Mateus]

Had a quick question re the KO2’s - how you finding the traction when you accelerate? Just I have a remapped petrol so it’s a little more sparky than when I got it.

 

[t6blo]

Had a quick question re the KO2’s - how you finding the traction when you accelerate? Just I have a remapped petrol so it’s a little more sparky than when I got it.

I‘m seeing the traction control light when pulling away from stationary more than when I had the 19s but not terrible

 

[Andysmee]

Are you still on original shocks? I'm confused by the springs thing. Or had they uprated the shocks before you got it?

 

[t6blo]

Are you still on original shocks? I'm confused by the springs thing. Or had they uprated the shocks before you got it?

It has always been on standard shocks

 

[Andysmee]

Then I would change them, but that's me. Springs don't do a lot but bounce, the shocks are where you'll get your pothole comfort from in my experience. The standard shocks and springs were made for variable loads so pretty bouncy and rocky, or compliant. If you have a narrower variation in load you can fit shocks and springs with a more focused purpose, and reduce some of the rockiness and bounciness. I suspect the standard springs are better over potholes more because they are matched to the shocks not because the other springs were bad.

 

[Andysmee]

Oh and if you have the Cobra springs spare, can I have them?

 

[t6blo]

Oh and if you have the Cobra springs spare, can I have them?

They went in the scrap pile - with the van on the ground literally all of the coils were touching each other and had rusted on each touching surface. This definitely contributed to the harsh ride. I was intending to sell them but didn’t feel comfortable having seen the state of them.

 

[Sib]

@t6blo good blog, interesting read and some great photos.
Stumbled on this post as I'm looking at new tyres. Not going down the swamper route but considering Agilis Crossclimates. A good read though!

 

[t6blo]

@t6blo good blog, interesting read and some great photos.
Stumbled on this post as I'm looking at new tyres. Not going down the swamper route but considering Agilis Crossclimates. A good read though!

thanks for the feedback @Sib

 

[Andysmee]

They went in the scrap pile - with the van on the ground literally all of the coils were touching each other and had rusted on each touching surface. This definitely contributed to the harsh ride. I was intending to sell them but didn’t feel comfortable having seen the state of them.

Ah, makes sense. Glad to hear it helped.