Haha - you gotta love WG - he has the highest horse in the worldHey WelshGas, clearly you are very knowledgeable in all things Cali related and no one would deny you haven't been of great help to numerous folk on here but sometimes it does appear you are in paid employ of VW given your unwillingness to find any fault in the van.
Of course you do not have to agree with someone's opinion of a 'fault' but your regular posting to express disagreement does seem rather pointless to the discussion in hand and dare I suggest provocative.
With respect, may I suggest you stick to what you're good at helping those in need and not dismissing people's concerns just because you do not agree with them.
When you get a chance @Skewif, it'd be handy if you can identify what springs you have in the rear so you have a starting block. Likewise @WelshGas this would be useful to know given your zero sag. You might be able to see through the wheel arch with a rag to wipe the dirt off or failing that you'll be on your back under the rear wheel. You're looking for crude paint markings on the spring, typically 3 x pink or 2 x white, etc.
Before even talking about springs you will appreciate with 65k miles the rear spring top and bottom rubber mounts will not be like new so you are likely losing a little height gain from here. Small monies so definitely renew these if you do swap out the springs.
There's a vast array of springs applicable for the T5/6, identified by their colour markings and shared across the complete T5/6 range.
For the Cali the following list of rear springs are factory installed in this order of increasing weight...
3x white, 3x pink, 4x pink, 1x white, 2x white, and then for 'bad roads' we step up to...
1x grey, 2x grey, 3x grey, 4x grey and so it goes on...
Each spring increment covers a weight range of approx. 50kg, e.g.. 1200-1250kgs.
So seems reasonable to presume that after the factory spring selection all Cali variants come out at the same height irrespective of their differing weights due to model & options. eg. Ocean/Beach/4Motion/no.of seats/DSG or manual/spare wheel or not/ etc.
But the difference in weight between the installed springs could be between 50 & 100kgs.
And then given its likely a different allocation between springs & weight could have occurred when the T6 was introduced its not really a surprise that with all these potential combinations why we have some Cali's appearing lower/higher than others for a similar specification.
It's unlikely we will glean what these actual weight loadings are for each spring type so all we have to work with is this progressive loading scale. I.e. See what you've got and best guess which spring further up the list you want to jump to!
The 'uprated' spring of choice on the Caliboard.de forum is the 4x grey which is what comes fitted to the 1BB Cali but also the T32 4motion model. I would guess the slightly less rated 3x grey is the T32 2WD model.
It could be a useful exercise just to understand this range of rear springs currently fitted to our Calis if people want to post their Cali model/ rear spring colour. Here's an initial stab with known Calis from here along with the German Caliboard forum and ordered in an increasing load… (included the Beach 4wd although we know its unavailable here)
3x Pink T6 Beach 2WD
3x Pink T5.2 Beach 4WD
3x Pink T5.2 SE 2WD (no spare wheel)
4x Pink T5.2 SE 2WD (with spare wheel)
4x Pink T5.2 SE 2WD
4x Pink T5.2 Beach 4WD
2x White T5.2 Beach 4WD (manual)
2x White T5.2 Beach 4WD (DSG)
2x White T6 Ocean 2WD
2x Grey T6 Ocean 4WD (DSG)
As to your more specific concerns re knowing what your van would look like you could see if @Del Boy (on the other T6 suspension thread) would post a pic as he's swapped to the T32 springs with a T6 204 4M, albeit the front as well, but again you really need the paint marks, are they the 3xgrey (2wd?) or 4xgrey (4wd) versions? I think @Gavrobb is about to go this route as well (2xgrey to 4xgrey) so you could pm him as he's got the same 204 4M but again in T6 guise.
See what you have spring wise but you will only improve things swapping to the 4xgrey, there's enough folk on the Caliboard forum that have done it with 4M and rate it. I think there's a high chance it will give you the lift you're after but worst case you can always add in a Weitec spring distance kit to get you exactly where you want to be.
A quick look couldn't find any T5 SE 4M shots but I came across these Beach 4M shots from the Caliboard forum which may be of help.
4Motion Beach, (2x white to 4x grey) before & after...
View attachment 26611 View attachment 26612
Got me there. Where does the horse come from?Haha - you gotta love WG - he has the highest horse in the world
When you get a chance @Skewif, it'd be handy if you can identify what springs you have in the rear so you have a starting block. Likewise @WelshGas this would be useful to know given your zero sag. You might be able to see through the wheel arch with a rag to wipe the dirt off or failing that you'll be on your back under the rear wheel. You're looking for crude paint markings on the spring, typically 3 x pink or 2 x white, etc.
Before even talking about springs you will appreciate with 65k miles the rear spring top and bottom rubber mounts will not be like new so you are likely losing a little height gain from here. Small monies so definitely renew these if you do swap out the springs.
There's a vast array of springs applicable for the T5/6, identified by their colour markings and shared across the complete T5/6 range.
For the Cali the following list of rear springs are factory installed in this order of increasing weight...
3x white, 3x pink, 4x pink, 1x white, 2x white, and then for 'bad roads' we step up to...
1x grey, 2x grey, 3x grey, 4x grey and so it goes on...
Each spring increment covers a weight range of approx. 50kg, e.g.. 1200-1250kgs.
So seems reasonable to presume that after the factory spring selection all Cali variants come out at the same height irrespective of their differing weights due to model & options. eg. Ocean/Beach/4Motion/no.of seats/DSG or manual/spare wheel or not/ etc.
But the difference in weight between the installed springs could be between 50 & 100kgs.
And then given its likely a different allocation between springs & weight could have occurred when the T6 was introduced its not really a surprise that with all these potential combinations why we have some Cali's appearing lower/higher than others for a similar specification.
It's unlikely we will glean what these actual weight loadings are for each spring type so all we have to work with is this progressive loading scale. I.e. See what you've got and best guess which spring further up the list you want to jump to!
The 'uprated' spring of choice on the Caliboard.de forum is the 4x grey which is what comes fitted to the 1BB Cali but also the T32 4motion model. I would guess the slightly less rated 3x grey is the T32 2WD model.
It could be a useful exercise just to understand this range of rear springs currently fitted to our Calis if people want to post their Cali model/ rear spring colour. Here's an initial stab with known Calis from here along with the German Caliboard forum and ordered in an increasing load… (included the Beach 4wd although we know its unavailable here)
3x Pink T6 Beach 2WD
3x Pink T5.2 Beach 4WD
3x Pink T5.2 SE 2WD (no spare wheel)
4x Pink T5.2 SE 2WD (with spare wheel)
4x Pink T5.2 SE 2WD
4x Pink T5.2 Beach 4WD
2x White T5.2 Beach 4WD (manual)
2x White T5.2 Beach 4WD (DSG)
2x White T6 Ocean 2WD
2x Grey T6 Ocean 4WD (DSG)
As to your more specific concerns re knowing what your van would look like you could see if @Del Boy (on the other T6 suspension thread) would post a pic as he's swapped to the T32 springs with a T6 204 4M, albeit the front as well, but again you really need the paint marks, are they the 3xgrey (2wd?) or 4xgrey (4wd) versions? I think @Gavrobb is about to go this route as well (2xgrey to 4xgrey) so you could pm him as he's got the same 204 4M but again in T6 guise.
See what you have spring wise but you will only improve things swapping to the 4xgrey, there's enough folk on the Caliboard forum that have done it with 4M and rate it. I think there's a high chance it will give you the lift you're after but worst case you can always add in a Weitec spring distance kit to get you exactly where you want to be.
A quick look couldn't find any T5 SE 4M shots but I came across these Beach 4M shots from the Caliboard forum which may be of help.
4Motion Beach, (2x white to 4x grey) before & after...
View attachment 26611 View attachment 26612
Could the sagging at the back look be an illusion and actually our Calis are properly balanced. Builders vans are typically pretty empty and are consequently a bit 'bum high' in comparison.
Maybe a perfectly balanced T5 has less visual clearance on rear wheel arches anyway?
Just my thoughts on the subject - but admit that I have no expertise in van suspension
4 paint strips, front and rear and probably grey, certainly not pink or white.
My 2014 SE with 4 digit option code for standard suspension (can't for the life of me remember which of the codes it was but I translated them all on a website) looks to be lower at the back when empty. The gap from wheel to wheel arch is slightly less at back than at front. However when I measure the welded sill line height from the ground I get 30cm rear and 29cm front. So actually slightly off the ground at the back.
Could the sagging at the back look be an illusion and actually our Calis are properly balanced. Builders vans are typically pretty empty and are consequently a bit 'bum high' in comparison.
Maybe a perfectly balanced T5 has less visual clearance on rear wheel arches anyway?
Just my thoughts on the subject - but admit that I have no expertise in van suspension
It's noticeable the sliding door will now self close if not pushed to its fully open position!
Thanks for the spring details, keep them coming and I'll update the list.
We may just find some logic and hope it's not just 'whatever happens to be in the parts bin' !
Just need the rear colours for now WG (he of big horse lol), I'm suprised your results are so vague when you know we need FACTS here!
They can be different colour marks on the same spring, get your rag and a torch.
Yes I can highly recommend the solar panels I have and only £120 ish per 100w panel. I use them a lot to charge my e-mtb battery. Very long guarantee and seem good quality. They are not bonded directly to the roof but instead I applied car wrap vinyl on the roof first then fixed the panels down with automotive double sided tape then bonded just edges. Can all be removed without a trace and invisible from normal eye level. Also have a very neat way to get cables inside too. I'm traveling up through France at the moment so will post the panel details and some install pics if wanted when I get back on Friday.
View attachment 26595
I have as much as I'm going to. They are 3 years old and 60K miles old - Looking between the 2 rear shocks - there are 4 marks and 99% certain they are grey, certainly not white or pink. Anyway, I'm off travelling now in my non-saggy 4Motion.
Very neat solar install, I would be interested in seeing how you have gone into the back with cable.
Thanks for the spring details, keep them coming and I'll update the list.
We may just find some logic and hope it's not just 'whatever happens to be in the parts bin' !
Just need the rear colours for now WG (he of big horse lol), I'm suprised your results are so vague when you know we need FACTS here!
They can be different colour marks on the same spring, get your rag and a torch.
You are spot on in your logic Ian, the front arches do have this bigger gap compared to the rear to allow for the steering so to a point it has been designed this way. The cill and bed/internal table will be level with this 'sagging' appearance.
I think the problem comes about (oddly more so on the 4Motion) when this 'sag' is lower than the 'average' which is then compounded when loaded or towing. This not only looks wrong it significantly compromises the handling.
People make their choice, my driver was to improve the handling without lowering to keep some proper ground clearance. The addition of the 4x grey has certainly done this 'tightening' everything up and markedly improving the handling with way less roll and dive. With the higher rating it can handle the full holiday load and still keep things aesthetically level so I also gain the added bonus of a more 'balanced' looking van (IMO) even if it wasn't originally designed that way.
It's noticeable the sliding door will now self close if not pushed to its fully open position!
No problem walking under my tailgate and I’m 6’1” according to latest medical, so haven’t shrunk with age yet. In fact there is a gap of at least 1”. I also don’t have a tailgate bike rack.Too add - finally caught up with this thread and you've all put in some amazing time and effort. Incredibly informative summary of the choices and the ranges out there. Agree that its incredibly odd WG has 4X fitted and no sag - from my experience here with a mates T5 DSG 4M its same exactly as our T6 sag. I'm keen to get this one sorted soonest - at 6'1" I have the only Transporter I've come across that I cant stand up straight beneath an open tailgate - even had plenty headroom on a 'lowered' Kombi tailgate this week. Planning on taking Wills top advice and going 4X - will report back soon.
Pre photo attached for group info. View attachment 26891 [/ATTACH] View attachment 26892 [
No problem walking under my tailgate and I’m 6’1” according to latest medical, so haven’t shrunk with age yet. In fact there is a gap of at least 1”. I also don’t have a tailgate bike rack.
No problem walking under my tailgate and I’m 6’1” according to latest medical, so haven’t shrunk with age yet. In fact there is a gap of at least 1”. I also don’t have a tailgate bike rack.
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