CaveVan Forum

VW T4 "Eurovans" => Winnebago "Full Campers" => Topic started by: jshdcooper on September 09, 2015, 11:42:49 am

Title: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: jshdcooper on September 09, 2015, 11:42:49 am
I've been looking to upgrade the tires and wheels on my 95 EVC before my long road trip in November. I want to upgrade to 16' wheels, but I've heard that I might need to install a lift kit to make enough room for that.

Can I use the cavevan lift spacers to give me the extra room for the wheel upgrade? And why in the world is GoWesty's lift kit so much more expensive than the spacers from CaveVan?

Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: rcowan on September 09, 2015, 02:03:12 pm
If you stick with the factory 16" tire size (225/60R16), you won't need a lift to clear them. I have upgraded to 16" wheels on my '99.

The Gowesty kit includes much more than just spacers. They include wheels, tires, shocks, etc.
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Cole on September 09, 2015, 02:35:33 pm
You can actually go up to a 235/60/16 and not need any spacers.  I've even run 255/45/18s without any lift.

Technically, you could just raise the front end without using rear spacers at all. Since the rear has more clearance and the fronts sit low from the factory.

But.....to make it look better, gain a bit of clearance and raise both ends a bit further. A spacer in the rear should be used.

They are a pretty simple spacer. I've actually got 1/2' material right now to make 1/2" spacers (so two sets would make for 1" of lift) I'm out of the .75" stuff for a little bit.



Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: jshdcooper on September 16, 2015, 02:18:24 pm
With a 95 EVC, would you reccommend 4 or stackcing some on the left side to offset the EVC sag?
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Cole on September 16, 2015, 02:29:09 pm
I've done a couple of EVCs and everyone I've done has been level, left to right.

No idea why.


So we have just done one spacer per side. Two per side would obviously give some more height and help kee the propane tank out of the rocks.
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Nemesisnight on September 16, 2015, 02:47:11 pm
Were they empty vans though Cole?  With full propane tank, water tank, fridge, cabinets stocked and tank of gas, there will most likely be some lean I imagine, I did 3 on the drivers side, 2 on passengers and have been very happy with the extra height.  I am 6'1" and the extra lift vs 1 spacer height is also nice when using my Fiamma awning to not have to duck standing upright under it, not sure how they are even usable stock height unless you are quite short.  I put 17" Audi wheels with 225/60 R17 tires and they fit almost perfect with about 1mm rub on the back very edge of the bumper that is not noticable (mostly on the inner lip portion) and rubbed enough clearance on their own. 

These are the tires I got if anyone is interested, been very happy so far and surpass the load rating required for a full camper: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?c=0&rcz=85295&ar=60&rf=true&rd=17&rc=AZEINT&cs=225&dVeh=dVeh&ra=searchForMostPopularTires.do&fl=&tc=NITRH6&yr=2013&pc=15265&vid=023402 (http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?c=0&rcz=85295&ar=60&rf=true&rd=17&rc=AZEINT&cs=225&dVeh=dVeh&ra=searchForMostPopularTires.do&fl=&tc=NITRH6&yr=2013&pc=15265&vid=023402)

-Adam
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Cole on September 16, 2015, 02:52:53 pm
One van was empty. The others were at various stages of loaded.


3 spacers on one side? All rubber?


It would be nearly impossible to get three of the solid spacers on one side. The front would be hard to get that much adjustment out of too.

I've got 1.5"(2 spacers) stacked on my Blue van and the front end maxed out and it still slopes rear to front.
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Nemesisnight on September 16, 2015, 03:03:04 pm
yea, 3 solid, it was a very tight fit but worked great once wedged in there.  A yahoo groups forum member made them for me so I can't remember how thick, maybe they were only .5" making it the same as your two.....  I had my front cranked as much as possible for awhile but it was actually too high so I recently lowered the front 1/2" so the rear barely is higher now unloaded. 
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Cole on September 16, 2015, 03:12:38 pm
I suppose some of it will depend on how the van gets used.

If its heavily packed most of the time, or mosty empty most of the time.
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: jshdcooper on September 22, 2015, 07:14:01 pm
Great info! Thanks
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Farther on September 23, 2015, 12:36:47 pm
What is the recommended procedure for adjusting the torsion bar bolts to get some additional lift?  Should the weight be off the wheel?  I have read elsewhere that 10mm of adjustment equals one inch of lift.  It's probably vehicle dependent but, how much front lift can a EuroVan Camper go?  I have a 1/2" spacer in the left rear but need about 1" lift up front to level.  What has been peoples experience?  Below is a link to the tool.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23304&category_id=&category_parent_id=
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: Cole on September 23, 2015, 03:41:31 pm
I leave the van on the ground. It's the only way to measure as you go.


I inflate al the tires to max psi just to make sure they are as equal as can be.

Then find a measuring point. I just use the fender lip.

Tighten the nuts to raise, loosen to lower.

Take small steps and alternate sides as one side can effect the other.


Easiest with a 1,000lb impact gun
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: frogCo on October 18, 2015, 06:05:58 pm
Still working great Cole!  Still would like to go a bit higher... Cole and I raised the front of my 03 weekender about .75 inch.  At the time didn't want to go much higher because of Cv joint worry.  I think it could use a bit more.. Would like to get some new bilsteins and the spacer when $ allows.  Love the look on the Blue van. looks beefy!
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: carlh on October 19, 2015, 04:31:08 pm
I have a 2003 Weekender (original owner) and a 2001 Camper (second owner).  I've adjusted the torsion bars on both vans to get to the factory specs for ride height.  The ride quality improved on both and I have no left-right lean on the Camper.  There is sag over time, so the adjustment should be checked if it was never done on your vans.

Attached are the ride height specs (in millimeters).  The measurement is made from the bottom of the bolt head on the shock absorber top mount to the center of the bolt head of the lower shock absorber mounting bolt.  All are +/- 2mm.  You can decide for yourself if you are adjusting at empty, half load or full load.  Adjustments are with the van on the ground, nothing raised.

You need to know your van's alignment group number, which is printed on the vehicle info sticker on the fuse cover (at least on mine) or stuck into the VW manuals that came with the van.  My 2003 Weekender has an identifier of K5 (for Kombi, I think), which is Group 5.  The Camper is labeled L8 (for Lastenwagen, I'm guessing), which is Group 8.

Of course, if you want to go higher (or lower) you can, but I would recommend getting the van to factory specs first before to see if you can get rid of the lean and see if your tire/wheel combination fits.  I am running 16" wheels with 225/60 R16 tires.

Carl
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: greaseworks on November 02, 2015, 07:06:13 pm
Just an FYI, at the upper end of the front lift range I've twice had cv joint boots separating from the joints and creating a royal mess (once on my personal van).  I've since opted to lower mine about 1.5" to get back within a comfortable operational range.


2000 EVW 5-spd TDI
Title: Re: Cavevan Lift Spacer/ New Tires
Post by: CAEVC2K on August 24, 2017, 05:17:02 pm
Cole, getting a shop to install your spacers and some 16s, they did caution that the alignment might suffer since its not adjustable in the rear. Have you ever had any problems with that?