pump up Shocks

1
Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.

Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
2
Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
Regards Pete

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
> Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
>
> Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
> Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
>
3
Pete,
You do not have my permission to stuff around with that beautiful Trakka I found you.

Leave it stock as is .... Rudi would agree with me!!

Cheers.

Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: peterw1000@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:52:30 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks

 
Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
Regards Pete

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
> Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
>
> Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
> Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
>


4
Hey Pete,

Do you mean something like this?
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23503&category_id=253&category_parent_id=

Which apparently wouldn't change the height. Or do you mean full air-bag suspension, which I don't know if you can get for the syncro, or adjustable hydraulic suspension, which I'm not sure is legal in Australia?

I think a major advantage of in cabin adjustable height suspension would be turning up at a bush campsite, then leveling your van from the drivers seat for a nice, comfy, LEVEL bed! Imagine that! Also of course the lower on the road / higher off the road scenarios.

I do remember one video of a vanagon (not sure if syncro) bouncing up and down.... didn't have any details.

Yes, I would be interested out of curiosity if anyone knows of possibilities for the syncro along these lines. Surely someone in America has...?

Sam



--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Pete,You do not have my permission to stuff around with that beautiful Trakka I found you.
> Leave it stock as is .... Rudi would agree with me!!
> Cheers.
> Ken
>
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> From: peterw1000@...
> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:52:30 +0000
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks
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> Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
>
> Regards Pete
>
>
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
>
> > Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
>
> >
>
> > Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
>
> > Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
>
> >
>
5
Sam,
Stop it! Don't encourage him! Get back to work!
Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: me@samarnold.org
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:53:14 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks

 
Hey Pete,

Do you mean something like this?
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23503&category_id=253&category_parent_id=

Which apparently wouldn't change the height. Or do you mean full air-bag suspension, which I don't know if you can get for the syncro, or adjustable hydraulic suspension, which I'm not sure is legal in Australia?

I think a major advantage of in cabin adjustable height suspension would be turning up at a bush campsite, then leveling your van from the drivers seat for a nice, comfy, LEVEL bed! Imagine that! Also of course the lower on the road / higher off the road scenarios.

I do remember one video of a vanagon (not sure if syncro) bouncing up and down.... didn't have any details.

Yes, I would be interested out of curiosity if anyone knows of possibilities for the syncro along these lines. Surely someone in America has...?

Sam

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Pete,You do not have my permission to stuff around with that beautiful Trakka I found you.
> Leave it stock as is .... Rudi would agree with me!!
> Cheers.
> Ken
>
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> From: peterw1000@...
> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:52:30 +0000
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks
>
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> Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
>
> Regards Pete
>
>
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
>
> > Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
>
> >
>
> > Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
>
> > Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
>
> >
>


6
If you mean a fully adjustable air suspension, yes it has been done on both sides of the big pond.

I have test driven two "properly done" Syncros. I wouldn't do it. They wallow around corners like 60's vintage Cadillacs. Sure they make for a super comfy ride on the highway and offroad. As long as you are going in a straight line. The particular examples I had driven used AirRide Technologies proprietory system call ShockWave. They ride on airbags shaped like donuts. They are built similar to a McPherson strut with the shock absorbers running through the middle of of the donut. It's packaged well enough. But I felt more damping is needed to stop the wallowing around curves. That would require an outboard shock in addition to the one going through the airbag. If you loose an airbag, the vehicle will rest on the larger than stock rubber bump stops. They make for a hairy ride home.

To allow the vehicle to raise up and down with minimal drama, air tanks are installed at every corner. One second your van in scraping discarded chewing gum off the pavement. Press a button and your Syncro will stand mighty high and proud. That's about all it's good for in my opinion. There is a nightmare of thin plastic piping to tie the airbags together with distributing manifolds, compressors, solenoid for this and that. There are too many parts that can break on the trail. Each one is capable of crippling the entire system. Remember hairy ride?

The rears are simpler. Airbag replaces your coil spring. Heavier dampers added. Of course, tanks and compressors. You can plumb the thing so fronts are separate from the rears. Ride with just rears are closer to the 60's-70's era 'air shocks'. I would consider rears in acceptable range if you must have some adjustability as long as they are on a separate air circuit.

That's the quick and dirty. If you need further details, I can add to this note when I'm near a laptop. Typing this on my fruitPhone whilst driving and talking on the phone might cause me to drop my hamburger on my lap.;-)



BenT

sent from my electronic leash

On Nov 21, 2011, at 4:53 PM, "heysamuelarnold" <me@samarnold.org> wrote:

> Hey Pete,
>
> Do you mean something like this?
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23503&category_id=253&category_parent_id=
>
> Which apparently wouldn't change the height. Or do you mean full air-bag suspension, which I don't know if you can get for the syncro, or adjustable hydraulic suspension, which I'm not sure is legal in Australia?
>
> I think a major advantage of in cabin adjustable height suspension would be turning up at a bush campsite, then leveling your van from the drivers seat for a nice, comfy, LEVEL bed! Imagine that! Also of course the lower on the road / higher off the road scenarios.
>
> I do remember one video of a vanagon (not sure if syncro) bouncing up and down.... didn't have any details.
>
> Yes, I would be interested out of curiosity if anyone knows of possibilities for the syncro along these lines. Surely someone in America has...?
>
> Sam
>
>
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Pete,You do not have my permission to stuff around with that beautiful Trakka I found you.
>> Leave it stock as is .... Rudi would agree with me!!
>> Cheers.
>> Ken
>>
>> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
>> From: peterw1000@...
>> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:52:30 +0000
>> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks
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>> Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
>>
>> Regards Pete
>>
>>
>>
>> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
>>
>>> Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
>>
>>> Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
>>
>>>
>>
>
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> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
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>
7
I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old splittie years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the back, and nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.

  Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't designed for.

  I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts, minus the bike.

  They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a boost in ground clearance.

  One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air would be forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air hose, increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a swing-axled kombi or country buggy!

  The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves, but it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.

  Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.

  Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will reduce sagging under heavy loads.

I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million k's, and he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something you normally do with 1.3 tonnes aboard.

Hope these thoughts are of some help.
                                                             Roger [Beetle].
 

8
I think we've come full circle ... thanks Roger.

Leave em alone Pete!

Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Gullyraker@aol.com
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:29:38 -0500
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks

 
I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old splittie years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the back, and nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.

  Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't designed for.

  I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts, minus the bike.

  They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a boost in ground clearance.

  One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air would be forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air hose, increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a swing-axled kombi or country buggy!

  The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves, but it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.

  Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.

  Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will reduce sagging under heavy loads.

I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million k's, and he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something you normally do with 1.3 tonnes aboard.

Hope these thoughts are of some help.
                                                             Roger [Beetle].
 


9
Roger,

What a history !

Cheers,

Theo


At 06:29 PM 22/11/2011, you wrote:
 

I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old splittie years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the back, and nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.

  Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't designed for.

  I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts, minus the bike.

  They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a boost in ground clearance.

  One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air would be forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air hose, increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a swing-axled kombi or country buggy!

  The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves, but it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.

  Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.

  Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will reduce sagging under heavy loads.

I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million k's, and he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something you normally do with 1.3 tonnes aboard.

Hope these thoughts are of some help.
                                                             Roger [Beetle].
 

10
Sam, This is a great kit and it looks like the front unit can be ajusted for spring tension ? I was thinking along the lines of the air pump ups as i have had great results with the Early Subaru type but this was possibly 25 years ago. The Subaru Liberty system had a button on the dash that lifted the car approx 75 mm but they were prone to damage from small rocks.
Thanks for the info guys.
Ken the Syncro lives in the shed under blankets and driven monthly around the hills here just to keep her rolling. There is an art to driving the twin diff lock and once you realise the wheels dont spin on good ground so you have to be ready with the clutch if progress should stop. On loose ground the diff locks in you can steer these girls with gentle input however good ground does require straight lines. Have had some mates amazed at the abilities of the Syncro and not willing to try the course i have here in their Pajeros and Landcruisers as they know it could be embarrasing. It comes as a surprise that these were sold as most have never experenced them in the seat doing what they do best.
Best Regards Pete

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "heysamuelarnold" <me@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Pete,
>
> Do you mean something like this?
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23503&category_id=253&category_parent_id=
>
> Which apparently wouldn't change the height. Or do you mean full air-bag suspension, which I don't know if you can get for the syncro, or adjustable hydraulic suspension, which I'm not sure is legal in Australia?
>
> I think a major advantage of in cabin adjustable height suspension would be turning up at a bush campsite, then leveling your van from the drivers seat for a nice, comfy, LEVEL bed! Imagine that! Also of course the lower on the road / higher off the road scenarios.
>
> I do remember one video of a vanagon (not sure if syncro) bouncing up and down.... didn't have any details.
>
> Yes, I would be interested out of curiosity if anyone knows of possibilities for the syncro along these lines. Surely someone in America has...?
>
> Sam
>
>
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Pete,You do not have my permission to stuff around with that beautiful Trakka I found you.
> > Leave it stock as is .... Rudi would agree with me!!
> > Cheers.
> > Ken
> >
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: peterw1000@
> > Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:52:30 +0000
> > Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks
> >
> >
> >
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> > Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
> >
> > Regards Pete
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@> wrote:
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
> >
> > > Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
> >
> > > Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
> >
> > >
> >
>
11
Pete,
Unless you are just asking for serious trouble with your very expensive syncro drivetrain components and don't mind having your wallet fleeced big time when it all goes awry, limit F&R diflocks usage to prudent/cautionary/recovery usage only and use only on soft, giving surfaces.

For all the above, I don't view diflocks as recreational play things.

Love your syncro TRAKKA though!

Cheers.

Ken

To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: peterw1000@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:43:33 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks

 
Sam, This is a great kit and it looks like the front unit can be ajusted for spring tension ? I was thinking along the lines of the air pump ups as i have had great results with the Early Subaru type but this was possibly 25 years ago. The Subaru Liberty system had a button on the dash that lifted the car approx 75 mm but they were prone to damage from small rocks.
Thanks for the info guys.
Ken the Syncro lives in the shed under blankets and driven monthly around the hills here just to keep her rolling. There is an art to driving the twin diff lock and once you realise the wheels dont spin on good ground so you have to be ready with the clutch if progress should stop. On loose ground the diff locks in you can steer these girls with gentle input however good ground does require straight lines. Have had some mates amazed at the abilities of the Syncro and not willing to try the course i have here in their Pajeros and Landcruisers as they know it could be embarrasing. It comes as a surprise that these were sold as most have never experenced them in the seat doing what they do best.
Best Regards Pete

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "heysamuelarnold" <me@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Pete,
>
> Do you mean something like this?
> http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23503&category_id=253&category_parent_id=
>
> Which apparently wouldn't change the height. Or do you mean full air-bag suspension, which I don't know if you can get for the syncro, or adjustable hydraulic suspension, which I'm not sure is legal in Australia?
>
> I think a major advantage of in cabin adjustable height suspension would be turning up at a bush campsite, then leveling your van from the drivers seat for a nice, comfy, LEVEL bed! Imagine that! Also of course the lower on the road / higher off the road scenarios.
>
> I do remember one video of a vanagon (not sure if syncro) bouncing up and down.... didn't have any details.
>
> Yes, I would be interested out of curiosity if anyone knows of possibilities for the syncro along these lines. Surely someone in America has...?
>
> Sam
>
>
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Pete,You do not have my permission to stuff around with that beautiful Trakka I found you.
> > Leave it stock as is .... Rudi would agree with me!!
> > Cheers.
> > Ken
> >
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > From: peterw1000@
> > Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:52:30 +0000
> > Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> > Hey Ken , Looks like ive got you stumped on pump up shocks. Rang a bullish suspension shop <no info never heard of them?>
> >
> > Regards Pete
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Anette" <peterw1000@> wrote:
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Hey Guys, Was wodering if someone has already checked out if there is a pump up shock suitablefor F&R Syncro.
> >
> > > Subaru had a pump up system on the older Liberty but it was prone to damage on the bladder from small rocks but they appeared to have a very thin walled air bladder.
> >
> > >
> >
> > > Would give the old bus a good ground clearance if required then you could let them down a bit for the tarmac.
> >
> > > Great Forum Les and thanks in advance..................Cheers Pete
> >
> > >
> >
>


12
I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I have a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of the
syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those skanky old outback tracks..
Mark

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Gullyraker@... wrote:
>
> I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old splittie
> years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the back, and
> nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a
> shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.
>
> Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
> designed for.
>
> I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts,
> minus the bike.
>
> They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than
> heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a boost in
> ground clearance.
>
> One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece
> with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air would be
> forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air hose,
> increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a
> swing-axled kombi or country buggy!
>
> The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves, but
> it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.
>
> Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
> the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
>
> Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the
> coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will reduce sagging
> under heavy loads.
>
> I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover
> Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million k's, and
> he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension
> compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something you normally do
> with 1.3 tonnes aboard.
>
> Hope these thoughts are of some help.
> Roger
> [Beetle].
>
13
Mark,

Where did you get them?

Doesn't the bump stop get in the way?

Thanks,

Skot


On 23/11/2011 5:02 PM, mark wrote:
 

I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I have a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of the
syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those skanky old outback tracks..
Mark

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Gullyraker@... wrote:
>
> I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old splittie
> years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the back, and
> nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a
> shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.
>
> Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
> designed for.
>
> I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts,
> minus the bike.
>
> They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than
> heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a boost in
> ground clearance.
>
> One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece
> with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air would be
> forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air hose,
> increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a
> swing-axled kombi or country buggy!
>
> The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves, but
> it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.
>
> Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
> the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
>
> Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the
> coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will reduce sagging
> under heavy loads.
>
> I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover
> Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million k's, and
> he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension
> compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something you normally do
> with 1.3 tonnes aboard.
>
> Hope these thoughts are of some help.
> Roger
> [Beetle].
>


14
Hi Skot,

my suspension shop guy sourced them, made by an Aussie mob ( name escapes me ). Specifically for T3 with an indent to accommodate the
bump stop.
Can get you more details if you want.
Mark

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
>
> Mark,
>
> Where did you get them?
>
> Doesn't the bump stop get in the way?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Skot
>
>
> On 23/11/2011 5:02 PM, mark wrote:
> >
> >
> > I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I have
> > a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of the
> > syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those skanky old
> > outback tracks..
> > Mark
> >
> > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>, Gullyraker@ wrote:
> > >
> > > I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old
> > splittie
> > > years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the
> > back, and
> > > nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a
> > > shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.
> > >
> > > Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
> > > designed for.
> > >
> > > I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts,
> > > minus the bike.
> > >
> > > They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than
> > > heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a
> > boost in
> > > ground clearance.
> > >
> > > One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece
> > > with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air
> > would be
> > > forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air
> > hose,
> > > increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a
> > > swing-axled kombi or country buggy!
> > >
> > > The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves,
> > but
> > > it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.
> > >
> > > Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
> > > the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
> > >
> > > Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the
> > > coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will
> > reduce sagging
> > > under heavy loads.
> > >
> > > I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover
> > > Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million
> > k's, and
> > > he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension
> > > compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something
> > you normally do
> > > with 1.3 tonnes aboard.
> > >
> > > Hope these thoughts are of some help.
> > > Roger
> > > [Beetle].
> > >
> >
> >
>
15
I'm interested Mark as I have a family which consists of a wife and 2 girls and they bring basically everything in our house with them when we go away so the load becomes excessive.

Thanks,

Skot


On 24/11/2011 9:19 AM, mark wrote:
 

Hi Skot,

my suspension shop guy sourced them, made by an Aussie mob ( name escapes me ). Specifically for T3 with an indent to accommodate the
bump stop.
Can get you more details if you want.
Mark

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
>
> Mark,
>
> Where did you get them?
>
> Doesn't the bump stop get in the way?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Skot
>
>
> On 23/11/2011 5:02 PM, mark wrote:
> >
> >
> > I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I have
> > a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of the
> > syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those skanky old
> > outback tracks..
> > Mark
> >
> > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>, Gullyraker@ wrote:
> > >
> > > I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old
> > splittie
> > > years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the
> > back, and
> > > nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a
> > > shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.
> > >
> > > Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
> > > designed for.
> > >
> > > I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts,
> > > minus the bike.
> > >
> > > They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than
> > > heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a
> > boost in
> > > ground clearance.
> > >
> > > One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece
> > > with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air
> > would be
> > > forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air
> > hose,
> > > increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a
> > > swing-axled kombi or country buggy!
> > >
> > > The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves,
> > but
> > > it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.
> > >
> > > Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
> > > the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
> > >
> > > Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the
> > > coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will
> > reduce sagging
> > > under heavy loads.
> > >
> > > I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover
> > > Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million
> > k's, and
> > > he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension
> > > compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something
> > you normally do
> > > with 1.3 tonnes aboard.
> > >
> > > Hope these thoughts are of some help.
> > > Roger
> > > [Beetle].
> > >
> >
> >
>


16
It they look like these:

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/product_images/thumbs200/air_lift/a1360289_updated.jpg

They are made by the same company I mentioned earlier on. Have a set of them on one of my T3's for over 10 years. We did a group purchase on the Vanagon List back then at a cost of about US$45.

The company website is www.ridetech.com. They should have a dealer in OZ.



BenT

sent from my electronic leash

On Nov 23, 2011, at 2:19 PM, "mark" <m.mullet@yahoo.com.au> wrote:

> Hi Skot,
>
> my suspension shop guy sourced them, made by an Aussie mob ( name escapes me ). Specifically for T3 with an indent to accommodate the
> bump stop.
> Can get you more details if you want.
> Mark
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
>>
>> Mark,
>>
>> Where did you get them?
>>
>> Doesn't the bump stop get in the way?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Skot
>>
>>
>> On 23/11/2011 5:02 PM, mark wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I have
>>> a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of the
>>> syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those skanky old
>>> outback tracks..
>>> Mark
>>>
>>> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
>>> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>, Gullyraker@ wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old
>>> splittie
>>>> years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the
>>> back, and
>>>> nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a
>>>> shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.
>>>>
>>>> Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
>>>> designed for.
>>>>
>>>> I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts,
>>>> minus the bike.
>>>>
>>>> They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than
>>>> heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a
>>> boost in
>>>> ground clearance.
>>>>
>>>> One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece
>>>> with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air
>>> would be
>>>> forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air
>>> hose,
>>>> increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a
>>>> swing-axled kombi or country buggy!
>>>>
>>>> The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves,
>>> but
>>>> it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.
>>>>
>>>> Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
>>>> the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
>>>>
>>>> Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the
>>>> coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will
>>> reduce sagging
>>>> under heavy loads.
>>>>
>>>> I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover
>>>> Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million
>>> k's, and
>>>> he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension
>>>> compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something
>>> you normally do
>>>> with 1.3 tonnes aboard.
>>>>
>>>> Hope these thoughts are of some help.
>>>> Roger
>>>> [Beetle].
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
17
If anyone else is getting these count me in!!! Definetly interested...
 
Michael,Townsville 88 syncro / Syncro....
 
From: mark
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 8:19 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks
 
 

Hi Skot,

my suspension shop guy sourced them, made by an Aussie mob ( name escapes me ). Specifically for T3 with an indent to accommodate the
bump stop.
Can get you more details if you want.
Mark

--- In mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com, Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:

>
> Mark,
>
> Where did you get them?
>
> Doesn't the bump stop get in
the way?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Skot
>
>
> On 23/11/2011 5:02 PM, mark wrote:
> >
> >
> > I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I
have
> > a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of
the
> > syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those
skanky old
> > outback tracks..
> > Mark
> >
> > --- In
href="mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com">mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>, Gullyraker@
wrote:
> > >
> > > I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up
shocks to the back of my old
> > splittie
> > > years ago.
I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the
> > back,
and
> > > nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but
busted a
> > > shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback
Queensland.
> > >
> > > Moral; never expect a
shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
> > > designed
for.
> > >
> > > I used them more succesfully on a 1973
T2, which had stronger mounts,
> > > minus the bike.
> > >
> > > They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went
further than
> > > heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian
desert. Gave it a
> > boost in
> > > ground
clearance.
> > >
> > > One important lesson was to
replace the single air valve and "T" piece
> > > with individual
valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air
> > would be
> > > forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared
air
> > hose,
> > > increasing body lean. This could have
serious results - especially on a
> > > swing-axled kombi or country
buggy!
> > >
> > > The air pressure was a real pain to
equalise with individual valves,
> > but
> > > it didn't
hurt as much as landing on your head.
> > >
> > >
Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
> > > the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
> > >
> > > Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit
air-bags inside the
> > > coils. These will not increase unladen
ride height, but it will
> > reduce sagging
> > > under
heavy loads.
> > >
> > > I've never used them but a mate
has a set on the rear of his Landrover
> > > Defender. They've been
there since 1994, have covered half a million
> > k's, and
> > > he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit
suspension
> > > compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is
not something
> > you normally do
> > > with 1.3 tonnes
aboard.
> > >
> > > Hope these thoughts are of some
help.
> > > Roger
> > > [Beetle].
> > >
> >
> >
>

18
Michael,

Just chased you on Aussieveedubbers for the engine/ gearbox cradle and wondering if you still have it and what the freight cost would be to Terrigal NSW 2260.

My email is spbconsulting@bigpond.com

Thanks,

Skot

On 24/11/2011 10:02 AM, Michael Hutchinson wrote:

If anyone else is getting these count me in!!! Definetly interested...
Michael,Townsville 88 syncro / Syncro....
From: mark
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 8:19 AM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: pump up Shocks

Hi Skot,

my suspension shop guy sourced them, made by an Aussie mob ( name escapes me ). Specifically for T3 with an indent to accommodate the
bump stop.
Can get you more details if you want.
Mark

--- In mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com, Scott Pitcher <spbconsulting@...> wrote:
>
> Mark,
>
> Where did you get them?
>
> Doesn't the bump stop get in the way?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Skot
>
>
> On 23/11/2011 5:02 PM, mark wrote:
> >
> >
> > I run air bags inside the back coils. Great for long trips when I have
> > a spare and 40l of fuel and a bike hanging off the back of the
> > syncro. Keeps it level and keeps it handling well on those skanky old
> > outback tracks..
> > Mark
> >
> > --- In mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com
> > <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>, Gullyraker@ wrote:
> > >
> > > I fitted a pair of Gabriel pump-up shocks to the back of my old
> > splittie
> > > years ago. I was carrying a trials bike on a swing out rack on the
> > back, and
> > > nearly a ton inside. They raised the sagging rear end, but busted a
> > > shock-absorber mount on a corrugated road in outback Queensland.
> > >
> > > Moral; never expect a shock-absorber mount to carry a load it wasn't
> > > designed for.
> > >
> > > I used them more succesfully on a 1973 T2, which had stronger mounts,
> > > minus the bike.
> > >
> > > They worked really well on the Country Buggy, which went further than
> > > heavy four-wheel-drives in the West Australian desert. Gave it a
> > boost in
> > > ground clearance.
> > >
> > > One important lesson was to replace the single air valve and "T" piece
> > > with individual valves, otherwise on a long sweeping bend the air
> > would be
> > > forced from the outside shocker to the inside one via the shared air
> > hose,
> > > increasing body lean. This could have serious results - especially on a
> > > swing-axled kombi or country buggy!
> > >
> > > The air pressure was a real pain to equalise with individual valves,
> > but
> > > it didn't hurt as much as landing on your head.
> > >
> > > Something to keep in mind; raising the rear of the vehicle will change
> > > the steering and handling characteristics for the worse.
> > >
> > > Another option when carrying heavy loads is to fit air-bags inside the
> > > coils. These will not increase unladen ride height, but it will
> > reduce sagging
> > > under heavy loads.
> > >
> > > I've never used them but a mate has a set on the rear of his Landrover
> > > Defender. They've been there since 1994, have covered half a million
> > k's, and
> > > he swears by them. The only downside is that they inhibit suspension
> > > compression in extreme four-wheel driving, which is not something
> > you normally do
> > > with 1.3 tonnes aboard.
> > >
> > > Hope these thoughts are of some help.
> > > Roger
> > > [Beetle].
> > >
> >
> >
>


19
Here's the article I was referring to. Note the pic I posted earlier has also been used on T3's but the popular one here in the US is the one pictured below:

http://www.vanagon.com/syncros/technica/airlift-test/index.htm


BenT
20
Looks like it would work after reading the article and has been tested for quite a while now.

We could almost make an Audi Allroad out of our syncros with these gadgets.

Skot

On 24/11/2011 10:53 AM, BenT Syncro wrote:
 

Here's the article I was referring to. Note the pic I posted earlier has also been used on T3's but the popular one here in the US is the one pictured below:

http://www.vanagon.com/syncros/technica/airlift-test/index.htm

BenT