Lowering your bus.

Brookie · Lowering your bus.

As we tend to use our Kombis for touring and camping it is not wise to lower them as we quite often go "off the bitumen".

However for those who like the lower look this is a good link,

http://customveedub.com.au/store/...php?act=viewProd&productId=21

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KustomKombi.Com

Hi All
I must admit that i am a lover of the KUSTOM modified bus as my name suggests. We had Docs bus lowered and i too used Indian Automotive adjusters. I have seen them and used them and they are truely a great unit. They are relatively easy to fit with basic mechanical skills needed. Kimm also supplies very discriptive instructions and pictures.

The only thing i would warn people about before they lower there bus is that the ride will get harder. You do feel every bump. But as Brookie said you either love it or hate it!!!!!

Thanks Jamie Laughing

Chuck

Does anyone know if someone in Perth can supply and fit Indian Automotive adjusters?

BJ

Welcome to KK - Bill at Volkswest did mine I'll try and hunt his mobile for you...unless anyone else beats me to it.

Chuck

Thanks for the prompt reply BJ. I know of Volkwest. If you don't mine me asking, what's a ballpark figure for lowering a Bay here on the West Coast. Cheers.

BJ

I had mine done a while back around 1400 all up inc. front beam- but I was lucky. Someone had a front beam already adjusted and no longer required (it was just sittin there) so I brought it.

Piratekombi

Out of curiosity, how easy would it be to re-raise a kombi that has been lowered? ie Would it be feasible to raise a kombi road-side before heading off-road, or is it a job that takes too much time and effort?

Alpal

Not quick or easy with available adjusters. Just been to Kustom Nats at Philip Island and some vehicles had air bags so they could adjust as required. Most just looked silly!

Piratekombi

Thanks Alpal... I thought that might be the case, I was just hoping there might be an (eg imported) alternative for quick adjustment (other than the air bags!). Heh heh I guess I will just have to take practicality instead of fashion! Smile

Chuck

Alpal · Spring Over Shocks.

As an extra addition to lowering front has anyone tried spring over shocks?

BJ

Hey Chuck - Only just spotted your post

Alpal

Its the front stops that run out of travel. Looking at cutting and welding to give a bit more travel or fitting adjustment. When we run over a matchstick we bootom out.
Currently running two of the smaller rubber stops instead of the standard set of 1 flat stop and 1 cone stop. Doesn't provide enough travel so out with the tools!

Chuck

Hey Alpal. I was inquiring about installing the 'Indian' setup as that includes adjustable bump stops with their adjustable beam.

Alpal

Depending on how low you go. Stuck my hand between tyre ond top of inner gaurd and there aint much there so there is a limited amount you can travel without bottoming. Plan B is to remove 1 of the rubber stops. See vot happenink!

Chuck

Any chance of some photos of the stance on your bus Alpal.

Alpal

Das ist Schmetterling

Chuck

Sweet stance, sweet ride. Very Happy

KustomKombi.Com

Hi Chuck
I said early how good Indians Adjusters are and they come with detailed instructions so any compitant metal fabricator/ Engineer would not have a problem. Then its just down to your local VW Mechanic and your away. If you have any questions i would recommend you to ring Kimm or email him. He is always happy to help explain his products.

Here is a pic af Docs bus which has Indian Adjusters fitted buy me and is sitting approx 60mm lower.
Thanks Jamie

humpty

If the adjusters are set correctly when they are installed, re-setting the height (back to stock) is as easy as jacking the bus up, loosen off the locking cap screw, reposition the adjuster, then re-tighten the cap screw.... You will have to do this to both tubes.... Then of course you will need a wheel alignment.... Again, not hard to do if you know how.... I do my own, with some basic tools, chalk, a flat workshop floor and a beer.... I can set the alignment in less than 20 minutes. One thing you must be aware of is if you have drop spindles, you will never get stock ride height back...

A splitty with adjusters and drop spindles will ride very well. Throw in a straight axle kit or an IRS conversion and you will be amazed how good the ride is....

On a Bay the limiting factor will be you ball joints.... They don't like going too low, 130mm lower is the max.... Any lower and you will kill them eventually.... Then you could front the cash for BJ drop spindles, but they are pretty exy and they widen the track by 20mm (approx) per side.... On the rear it depends on how low you want to go... 2 outer splines will drop you about 150mm which is at the limit of the bumpstop clearance... The best way to lower the back of an IRS equipped bus is to use some 'Boomerangs' which will lower the bus around 100mm, then reset the torsion bars as you see fit.

Need any other help drop me a line....

Phat bus

I installed Indian Automative's adjusters etc all round on my Bay. Back is dead easy and only took half a day with a trolley jack and axle stands. Repalced the spring plate bush with polly's at the same time (Remember to use the right grease with polly). On the front I cut and installed the adjustable bump stop. Kimm at Indians has good instructions he can send out for the front beam lowering kit so you can do the whole thing yourself. You just need someone who is a good welder.
I personally would replace the adjusting bolt included with the lowered rear spring plates for a fine threat hight tensile allen key type.

BJ

Phat bus - Can you take a picture of the front end, particualy the "cut and adjusted front bump stop mounts" - got a query - I think my beam has these too.....but a mates doesn't? I just want to compare, I'll get a shot of mine maybe and you can comment

Phat bus

BJ, I can't down load my digi photo's onto my PC at the moment. But if you post any pics I'm happy to comment. I can find the instructions that came with my lowering kit which had pics showing the addjustable bump stop either. But I do remember the basics of these directions. Btw, they call them addjustable bump stops but really it is just two bolting locations. You could drill and tap another set of threaded holes to create more adjustment locations if you wanted to. I the mean time I'll work on getting some phot's of mine for you.

smccask

hi. this is my first technical post so be kind to me Smile

for those interested in DIY i have used my own method to lower my van which cost me $12 for two M14 bolts. it involves a little bit of fabrication work, but nothing a grinder and a MIG can't fix. it is a similar concept to the commonly used notched plate thingy that you weld on, where the reaction bolt for the beam spring is relocatable radially. i have attached a simple sketch. it has worked well for me now for about 12 months

Lowering your bus.

Spring Over Shocks.