T6 lowering - how low…

[T6_FunBus]

Hi guys,

One of my next upgrades will be suspenion.

I am currently running -50mm springs on stock shocks. Ride is manageable, but still plenty of roll, and a harsh ride when combined with 20’s - no real performance gain, just looks lower.

I’m wanting a few things from the upgrade, top of the list is reduced body roll, its a t32 so already has the thicker rear arb. I want the van to stay flatter and more stable in the corners. Secondly comfort, a less bouncy and crashy ride than I have now. And last of all a better stance.

Currently running 20” calibre fives, I believe they are 8.5 all round, with et40. Tyres are 275 35 20.

I’m running the sports from valance and black side bars, and a chin spoiler.

Ideally, stance wise I’d like it to look lower and more aggreasive, so I am thinking maybe a 20mm drop and some spacers, but, I have no clue what spacers I can go to combined with a drop.

Also, most vans that are low I see have no front splittwr or sidebars, so will these cause an issue if I am -70mm from factory?

Will attach pictures of how it currently sits shortly.

I guess my questions are:

- how low can I go on 20’s with sidebars etc before its a pain
- what spacers should I be able to fit front / rear?
- do we think STX @-65mm would be a perfect compromise for my needs, or is it worth going for the more expensive H&R and also going a little lower?

Thanks!

 

[T6_FunBus]

Rear current height


Front


General pics



Also, for the eagle eyed of you, I’m aware the profile on the tyres are too low and they are budgets - its how the ‘transporter’ specialist sold it to me, and I’ll change them at some point.

 

[dubber36]

Also, most vans that are low I see have no front splittwr or sidebars, so will these cause an issue if I am -70mm from factory?

Don't forget that taller profile tyres will raise the height off the ground, so will negate some of the additional lowering when it come to ground clearance.

When measuring and referring to ride height, this is done from the centre of the wheel to the top of the wheel arch. These two points are constants from van to van. Tyres and wheels sizes are variables, so one persons 70mm drop can be different to someone else's.

 

[T6_FunBus]

Thanks, thats true, I checked earlier and it’ll be 28mm more rubber with a 40 profile, so I assume will close the arch gap by 14mm ish and be 14mm further off the ground.

That’ll still leave 40mm to the tyres, and they are inboard by a good couple of cm or more.

I ‘think’ another 20ish mm drop, spacers and bigger profile tyres might be perfect, its hard to visualise though! It ‘might’ be better to go for h&r so I have a bit of wiggle room, even though the 15mm extra could be OK on the stx.

I’ll go see if I can measure how far in the wheels are.

Also, the 275 tyres are incredibly square on the rim, I thought they were 8.5, but maybe they are bigger I can’t see inside on a spoke without removing one.

 

[The Van Cave]

One thing to consider is that -50mm springs don’t always give a 50mm drop. Measure the distance front wheel arch to wheel centre. As standard it’s 465mm +/- about 5mm. That will enable you to work out how far down the -50mm springs have actually taken you.

 

[The Van Cave]

Also, with those wheels a 265/40 tyre would be better than a 275/40.

 

[T6_FunBus]

One thing to consider is that -50mm springs don’t always give a 50mm drop. Measure the distance front wheel arch to wheel centre. As standard it’s 465mm +/- about 5mm. That will enable you to work out how far down the -50mm springs have actually taken you.

Appears to be 400mm from centre to each arch. Although that was a lazy measure, and guessed approx centre of each cap. If that is the case, then I’d guess I’m looking for an 80mm drop.

Also, the tyre is no where near as far into the arch as I thought, 20mm rear would make it flush, and about 10mm at the front.

So I’s guess just a 15mm spacer on the back would be plenty.

Starting to think the rims are 9.5’s with how square the 275’s look on it.

 

[T6ARF]

Be assured you’re on to the right man with Chris @The Van Cave

 

[The Van Cave]

Appears to be 400mm from centre to each arch. Although that was a lazy measure, and guessed approx centre of each cap. If that is the case, then I’d guess I’m looking for an 80mm drop.

Also, the tyre is no where near as far into the arch as I thought, 20mm rear would make it flush, and about 10mm at the front.

So I’s guess just a 15mm spacer on the back would be plenty.

Starting to think the rims are 9.5’s with how square the 275’s look on it.

I’ll check my dealer info later, but I’m pretty sure that the Calibre are 9” wide. A budget tyre typically has less rim protection and will look narrower than mid range or premium tyres, which might explain the square 275.

80mm drop with a 265/40 tyre all round and a 10 or 15mm spacer on the rear would be bang on.

Decent coil overs will definitely improve the ride and handling, but an ARB upgrade will also reduce body roll, even on the T32.

The ultimate handling upgrade would include the upgraded ARBs, but the suspension will make a difference, so maybe leave the ARB for now and see how it is afterwards. You may find just the suspension upgrade is enough.

I’ve got a couple of options for the T32 suspension that would work for you, send me a DM if you would like to know more.

 

[T6_FunBus]

Thanks, Chris. Yeh I agree on the spacers, I’ve ordered some 15mm hubcentric with extended bolts for the rear. As the 20mm would have been flush. That makes sense if they are 9j and the budgets have a flat wall.

Just need to nail down an 80mm coilover kit, then I’ll see how it performs like you said and sits on the current tires then, I can start to look at what tyre options I can get hold of I’m tempted to get rainsports or an all season type tyre, but will focus on handling first and see how it sits.

I’ve dropped you a message.