upgrade rear spings/struts for more hauling?

[sethyboy85]

My rear suspension is pretty much shot and when I go to stick my vegie oil tank in the back I don't want my car to look like it's is a dog taking a crap.

I just searched for about 1hr on the net and im not sure what all my options are for using different year vw parts and knowing their spring rates, I do know I want something with a higher spring rate than factory if at all possible.

thanks in advance

[racer_x]

My rear suspension is pretty much shot and when I go to stick my vegie oil tank in the back I don't want my car to look like it's is a dog taking a crap.

I just searched for about 1hr on the net and im not sure what all my options are for using different year vw parts and knowing their spring rates, I do know I want something with a higher spring rate than factory if at all possible.

thanks in advance

The Jettas had some of the softest rear springs of any A1's. Lots of coils in those.

From what I've seen all the factory springs seem to use the same wire thickness. The difference is the number of coils. Fewer coils = stiffer spring. The Rabbit GTI springs are signficantly stiffer than the Jetta springs, and the 16V Scirocco springs are slightly stiffer than the Rabbit GTI springs. I'm running Rabbit GTI springs and a 16V Scirocco rear stabilizer bar on my Jetta diesel. Handling is much improved with that, and it doesn't squat nearly as much when you load it down.

I haven't checked the later Cabriolets, but those are potentially stiffer, too, because the late (1990-1993) Cabriolets are about the heaviest A1 cars that were made.

How big a tank do you plan on using for the veggie oil? I used the stock tank for veggie on mine, and I plan a 2 to 3 gallon tank in the middle of the spare tire well for startup fuel, though I'm using a 1/2 gallon tank under the hood for startup/shutdown fuel right now. That was a "temporary" solution that I haven't bothered to replace just yet.

[sethyboy85]

vegie tank will be a newer plastic verson that came out of a 87-90 looking jetta.

thanks for the springs info.

[Centurion]

You need to look for a Audi 4000 - grab the rear springs and the top hardware

I posted a search here last year - and went through looking at commercial stuff - but having found pricy solutions - I turned elsewhere.

I will post links off my website later - I have to place the pics in the back of it.

Also - Audi 5000 sedan - worked good too  take the top mounts too - you need a mini grinder to cut off one of the mounting ears used in the 5000 setup - but the 5000 top mount gives a much firmer topplate than any jetta/rabbit parts that I have found so far  -it is stiffer than the 4000's though - gives a very hard ride - but I cannot load it heavy enough to have the headlights in the trees.


Just my humble experience! - C

[greggearhead]

I know you can buy HD non-lowering springs in pairs (front/rear) from JC Whittney and from PartsPlace.  A friend is running them on his GTI all around & I was surprised at how well it handled and rode.  

On stock rear springs - I have seen a bunch of the MkII Sciroccos have taper-thickness coils that have lots of dead coils at the top and bottom (bottomed out when under the weight of the car).  I am pretty sure Racer_X is right that the last model Cabriolets had the stiffest factory rear springs, but I like the Audi 4000 idea - cheap and probably about right.

On my Dasher there is nothing available for stock or lowering so I had to get out the tape measure and make a trip to the salvage yard to "roll my own."  

http://dog.mp3equipped.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi_bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000081

[sethyboy85]

got myself some audi (85-87?) GT coupe springs from the JY today, $14 for the pair complemented by new struts my jetta is now ready for off-roading or serious hauling! got about 3 1/2" gap between top of tire and beginning body... compared to the hiding 3/4" to a 1" of the tire...  

car had like 60k on it and the whole rear suspension looked fairly new or less than 20k on it, the car was imaculate except for a nice big drivers side front whammy.

it doesn't look cool but for what I want it's comforting to know that my 195/50/15's won't hit anything over any bump even with a decent load.

[Patrick]

If they're too high you can always cut a coil or two off, they'll still be a lot stiffer than stock.
The parts guys only list one bcak spring for all the mark 2 and 3 cars. Can't find any jobbers with listings for audi springs, and they seem to have all gone to the crusher up here, none left in the yards. (I've been looking too.)

[MacGyver]

How heavy do you want to go?
I have front & rear OEM springs out of a 96 Passat TDI I wanted to install for increased capacity & clearance.
The fronts are extremely close to my OEM 97 Jetta springs, a little extra capacity maybe but no extra ride height.

The rears...are *WAY* heavier, and ~6" longer.
I've debated cutting them down, but I think they'd be way too stiff even for what I want. Which is suprising, didn't realize the Passat was that much heavier.

I'm going to have a look around for Audi 4/5000 springs, that sounds like a good idea.
I wonder what would be heavier for the front of my A3, possibly springs from a VR6 car I guess?

FYI I had the HD springs from Parts Place in my previous 87 Jetta, wow what a difference those made, front and rear!

[Patrick]

What's the parts place and where do I find it? How much? I've got a pair of 92's that get used as trucks as much as cars.

[MacGyver]

The Parts Place in Auburn Hills MI.
www.partsplaceinc.com
I have a catalogue from them that's several yrs old, but it's currently packed away due to household renovations :?
IIRC the springs were almost $100US/pr front and rear when I purchased >10yrs ago.
Higher & stiffer than stock. Worth every penny
My past dealings with PPI have been...a little frustruating, but definitely positive overall. You'll do best if you know exactly what you want when you call or visit, and have patience...they're BUSY.

Edit: Patrick you have PM

[Slave2School]

Air bags from "AirLift"...kit #80753 (about 3.7" X 9.25") that are placed inside the coil. Two runs of small hose are connected to a "T" and then on to a valve assembly. I run about 5 psi when not towing (which still offers some extra 'spring') and 8-10psi when towing.  
http://www.airliftcompany.com/new-index/Frameset.htm
The vehicle does not hop or bump. I like this arrangement and the action of "Teeing" the bags together is not dangerous when cornering as the bags are in full contact with the coil adding just the correct amount of suspension reaction time. It took me two sets to get the correct bag size from airlift but the kit listed above contains all that is required to make your local VW dealership think you are outta yo mind! It may be a special order but maybe someone wants to start a group buy through AirLift? If this kit is unavailable they will manufacture any size required. Cost at the time of my purchase a year ago was approx (lousy memory) $135 Canadian delivered.


Quoted form tdiclub.com , my dad  He tows a good sized trailer can be seen on the first page of the thread here http://forums.tdiclub.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1024035&page=2&fpart=2&vc=1

[sethyboy85]

now I need suspension for my rear 85 jetta

where can I find cheap HD or non lowering springs? the JY is picked clean...

[houseofdiesel]

Here is another way to go-
Find a B3 Passat (1990-1993) sedan and get the rear suspension-struts complete. You need the shocks and springs. Swap over the upper spring perches/mounts from your Jetta and install. You will raise the rear end and stiffen the ride enough to haul around a full tank and a full trunk.
Greg