Lowering Gurus wanted - The Gaz shock thread

[curly head]

If you run coil overs is there still a requirement for the beam leaf springs or do you remove them?

If leaf springs are left in do I remove the existing shock and drop the van back down to measure shock length? ie bolt mount distance

And help appreciated as I am fed up with the crap soft T2D shocks I currently have, the front of the van bounces everywhere, not good.

Cheers

I would think you could get away without the leaf springs but if there is nothing wrong with them then leave them in. You may need higher rated springs to compensate I guess. You would want the bolt mount distance but from everyones feedback I would expect the 16" ones should be right for most people. I'm assuming you are running drop spindles?[/quote]

Unfortunately at the time of restoring my bus I didn't have the funds for drop spindles so I only have a 3" narrowed adjustable beam up front and adjustable plates at the rear, not lowered too much, approx 4" from standard.

My problem, I think, is that the shocks are too soft and it bounces on the springs.

Do I measure shock length with the van wheel sitting on the deck or in the air?

 

[67westy]

If you run coil overs is there still a requirement for the beam leaf springs or do you remove them?

If leaf springs are left in do I remove the existing shock and drop the van back down to measure shock length? ie bolt mount distance

And help appreciated as I am fed up with the crap soft T2D shocks I currently have, the front of the van bounces everywhere, not good.

Cheers

I would think you could get away without the leaf springs but if there is nothing wrong with them then leave them in. You may need higher rated springs to compensate I guess. You would want the bolt mount distance but from everyones feedback I would expect the 16" ones should be right for most people. I'm assuming you are running drop spindles?

Unfortunately at the time of restoring my bus I didn't have the funds for drop spindles so I only have a 3" narrowed adjustable beam up front and adjustable plates at the rear, not lowered too much, approx 4" from standard.

My problem, I think, is that the shocks are too soft and it bounces on the springs.

Do I measure shock length with the van wheel sitting on the deck or in the air?[/quote]


Ah right different scenario then. Shocks off and wheels on the floor

 

[curly head]

If you run coil overs is there still a requirement for the beam leaf springs or do you remove them?

If leaf springs are left in do I remove the existing shock and drop the van back down to measure shock length? ie bolt mount distance

And help appreciated as I am fed up with the crap soft T2D shocks I currently have, the front of the van bounces everywhere, not good.

Cheers

I would think you could get away without the leaf springs but if there is nothing wrong with them then leave them in. You may need higher rated springs to compensate I guess. You would want the bolt mount distance but from everyones feedback I would expect the 16" ones should be right for most people. I'm assuming you are running drop spindles?

Unfortunately at the time of restoring my bus I didn't have the funds for drop spindles so I only have a 3" narrowed adjustable beam up front and adjustable plates at the rear, not lowered too much, approx 4" from standard.

My problem, I think, is that the shocks are too soft and it bounces on the springs.

Do I measure shock length with the van wheel sitting on the deck or in the air?

Ah right different scenario then. Shocks off and wheels on the floor [/quote]

Cheers,for your help. If there is a group buy soon I will be interested

 

[curly head]

Will be ordering some shocks on monday.

Seems a lot of interest to be about so was wondering does anyone know if a group buy will happen in the future?

 

[jonboylaw]

I am in the market for new shocks. You can buy springs from the likes of merlin Motorsport, different lengths and spring rates, just make sure you don't get coil bound if lowering.. Springs are quite cheap though so you can change if needed.


Sent from my GX64 SatCom phone using Tapatalk

 

[curly head]

Maybe an obvious answer but if you are to leave the beam springs in situ why go for coil overs? Is it to assist the beam spring as they are not thought to be man enough?

 

[dubdubz]

Yes in short Curly - Although I've been thinking about this whilst I was off work with manflu! The coilovers are essentially allowing reasonable ride BUT at the top moments of travel [ie when it will rub as we have lowered] the coil springs add another level of resistance that is not uncomfortable.

The actual issue lies in the fact when we have lowered there isn't enough room for the 'natural' movement, so we are trying to use a device to allow a comfy ride but restrict the normal amount of travel.

Therefore I'm wondering if tubs are the best answer, as you are right in theory the spring is accounted for in the torsion leaves.

The other factor is a lot are running without an Anti roll bar this also stops suspension travel...

 

[curly head]

Sorry to hijack the thread but can anyone who has bought / fitted the gaz shocks tell me the overall diameter of the spring as my existing shock seems to be ever so close to the narrow beam end plate and I wonder if a coil over will clash?

I promise that's my last question :msn4:

 

[67westy]

I haven't got the bus at home at the minute but the inner diameter of the spring is 1.9" so I could say 2.5" is probably a good guess. Could of measured it earlier today as I was down at the garage, might be able to stop by tomorrow if you want an accurate measurement

 

[curly head]

I haven't got the bus at home at the minute but the inner diameter of the spring is 1.9" so I could say 2.5" is probably a good guess. Could of measured it earlier today as I was down at the garage, might be able to stop by tomorrow if you want an accurate measurement

Yes please, would be helpful. Could you also please see how close the spring is to the end if the beam

 

[67westy]

I'll see what I can do!

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[67westy]

2.6" as best I can tell. Forgot to bring a jack so it was a struggle! Sits fairly close to the end plate but if I remember correctly from when I fitted them I thing the gaz shock was not as wide as the bugpack

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[curly head]

2.6" as best I can tell. Forgot to bring a jack so it was a struggle! Sits fairly close to the end plate but if I remember correctly from when I fitted them I thing the gaz shock was not as wide as the bugpack

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Cheers for your help.

Once new items are fitted I will report back

 

[AndyO]

Went to order these and was asked is the hole required for the bolt 12mm, can anyone confirm please?

 

[67westy]

I ordered the Gaz GP shocks, product code 160/105B12 16"x1.9 32x12 with 10"x125lbx1.9 springs although Graham has the 150lb springs. Total cost was £181.72 including delivery.

Yup. Product code above is what I have. Will be good to hear how you get on

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[bobbyt]

Just to let you guys know, I fitted 16" shocks with 150lb 10" springs. And I think they are fantastic. Great ride with no tyre rubbing or beam scraping the floor. Wish I had done this first of all rather than fitting 2 sets of t2d shitty shocks. Well worth the money. Do not waste money on the cheaper alternative like I did, twice !


Sent from my iPhone
Damage v-dub club

 

[bobbyt]

Hi Mark, i was running transporterhaus dropped spindles and adjusters in beam near to there highest setting i could get. but with standard shocks was stilln a little bit low and the beam would scrape the floor alot and tyres wouls scrub the arches alot too,so fitted the T2d/gsf coilover shocks what a pain in the arse to fit because they were 2" too long so had to compress them to fit. were ok for a while then the bottom bushes fell to bits and one of the adjusters broke. Thaught i'd give them another go, i wish i hadn't bothered, this set was so soft it was like driving a strawbwerry jelly. I wish i had ordered the Gaz adjustable shocks two years ago! would have saved alot of time,effort and money. I am really happy with them. There is probably about 3" of adjustment in them for height, so i think the 16" shock with a 10" spring would suit most applications. (I am running 165 60 15 tyres standard width beam)
Regards Bob

 

[mi2itsdl]

Looking at getting the Gold Range rather than the standard range, as I would prefer a longer lasting alloy shock.
But, what is the difference between having spherical bearings over bonded polyurethane bushes?

Not overly worried about the price, just want to get the correct ones?

 

[mi2itsdl]

Went to order these and was asked is the hole required for the bolt 12mm, can anyone confirm please?

Good question. Do we have 12mm bolts?

Are you ordering drirect from GAZ, because I see that a few people have bought them now, but when I phoned up, they did not seem to be aware of this.

 

[67westy]

12mm is what I have fitted, no idea what the difference between bonded bushes and bearings is though or if they are interchangeable.