We all dream of owning a Type 2 VW bus, whether it's a model with all the windows or a cozy camper for road trips with the family. Sounds great, right? You might think so, but after doing some research, I discovered some surprising information. Many people rely on the advice of friends or companies about how to customize their buses and end up spending big money to make it happen. But once the modifications are complete, the vehicle often appears in the classifieds. Why is that? Most people focus on the cosmetic aspects and how cool the bus looks when they step out and take a look back at it. While it may look fantastic, the end result often fails to meet the owner's expectations. The Type 2 bus can ride poorly, and sometimes the ride becomes so uncomfortable that family members, like the wife, don’t want to take trips in it anymore. Additionally, certain products added to the bus can lead to mishaps, such as the beers in the cooler getting shaken up on the drive to the beach. You can see where this is heading, right?
- Daily Driver Status
- Slammed
Daily Driver Status (DDS)
This is the most common of the variations. 3.5" dropped spindles up front and either a straight axle conversion or an IRS conversion in the rear which drops the rear end about 4". Update your wheels and tires to get better drivability/looks and there you have it. Install some new shocks that are not KYB's and you're done.
The ride is like stock because you really did not change anything that had to do with your torsions (in theory). Why is this most common? Performance handling ride quality enjoyable to drive and the drop job does not break the bank.
Slammed
This variation looks the coolest but is really is not for everybody even if the salesman tells you it is. Dropped spindles 4" narrowed beam, poly beam bushings, raised steering box, tubbed front fenders, and seats that have been altered to look like stock but with half the amount of springs or foam. KYB shocks on all four corners and a similar treatment to the rear in the (DDS) but the torsions are adjusted down to lower the bus.
Although I am somewhat partial to body dropped bus looking sick it really is not practical nor in my opinion does it have any gains mentioned with the DDS.
Let me give you the pros and cons of this kit.
- Dropped spindles - Pro - You cannot beat these.
- 4" Narrowed Beam - Con - 4" of the torsions is removed tightening the suspension all to gain 2" on each side to tuck the wheels in or compensate for aftermarket brakes that add track width. The ride is IMHO terrible.
- Poly Beam Bushings - Pro/Con - Depending on who you talk to will you get different points of view. Poly is at the bottom of the barrel IMHO. Bearings are middle of the road and Delrin is top of the line.
- Raised Steering Box - Con - You need to cut your bus to gain ground clearance so that your steering box does not smack the ground.
- Wheel Tubs - Con - Cutting up an old VW bus will devalue it tremendously. Your seats will be modified to fit the tub decreasing the ride quality that the seats actually help with.
- KYB Shocks - CON CON CON - Putting a high powered gas shock in place of a stock shock when you remove 4" of the torsions which in itself causes the ride to be rougher installing a gas shock in its place makes it even worse. The wider you go the higher powered of a shock you need to compensate for movement. The narrower you go the less you need where as a Cofap/Boge oil shock or Ridetech adjustable shock will give it the best ride.
- Adjusted torsions - Pro/Con - When installing a straight axle kit or IRS kit the supplied spring plates are notched to give you more travel with a standard installation 4" drop (Pro). When you decide to go lower two things will happen. You will need to notch the spring plates more to get the desired drop you desire (unsafe) or adjust the spring plates up and bottom out on the spring perches (bumpy ride (Con).
We will always instruct our clients to create a menu of what they want out of their bus and the driving style they will be doing with it. If the bus is just to pick up donuts on Saturday morning or trailered to show slammed is king. If you plan on taking a trip to Mt Shasta with the family for camping but still want a cool looking and driving bus the DDS is the right direction to go.
Something I have not talked about is Air Ride. Air Ride can give you the best of both worlds. Great ride handling and performance is all achievable without the addition of a narrowed beam steering box raise wheel tubs or KYB shocks. Torsions are not used any more front or rear and you ride completely on air. Momma will be in love again I have seen it.
So in conclusion if you are looking for a simple 3"-4" drop the drop spindles and straight axle/IRS axle conversion is perfect. If you want to go lower install some adjusters and some Ridetech or Boge shocks. If you want to go even lower think about air ride. We even make a complete lowering kit to make it
easy here.
STAY AWAY from
- Narrowed Beams for Type 2's
- KYB shocks for all VW's
- Body mods that will devalue the Bus
We hope this helps guide you and your project in the right direction. We will update this article as we can with new and even more improved information. Enjoy the ride keep it low and keep it kewl!
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