Lift kit for T5 4 Motion - supplier?

[saltd0g]

It's a toughy to live with though, heavy steering, heavy throttle, heavy clutch, rock hard suspension, zero ground clearance but gee it's fun!

Should we we get this thread back on track?
How can I increase my clearance, I was thinking springs and wheels rather than full shock and springs change

Dunc, i would be doing all three personally, the springs and shocks work together perfectly and cost me $2800 i think ( still expensive) and the tyres and rims $1600 but i would do it all again if i had to! Lucky for you, you could probably keep your rims and just get tyres, shocks and coils! So you could save a bit of coin!

[Murphenzo]

I'm not sure that the shocks provided in the Seikel kit have any more stroke to them than the stockers. My advice would be, if they do have some extra stroke, you do want every bit of it. It isn't usually a problem, but I have been in a few situations driving in low speed terrain that undulates side to side that the suspension will top out. You wouldn't want any less droop.

No harm in giving it a go. Chuck the springs in, fabricate some diff spacers (nothing special there) and see how it goes. You'd have to come in a LOT cheaper than the Seikel kit.

[MAD]

I'm not sure that the shocks provided in the Seikel kit have any more stroke to them than the stockers. My advice would be, if they do have some extra stroke, you do want every bit of it. It isn't usually a problem, but I have been in a few situations driving in low speed terrain that undulates side to side that the suspension will top out. You wouldn't want any less droop.

No harm in giving it a go. Chuck the springs in, fabricate some diff spacers (nothing special there) and see how it goes. You'd have to come in a LOT cheaper than the Seikel kit.

Hey Murph,

If you get a chance would you be able to Jack up your vehicle (wheels hanging (any of the Seikel users also)) and measure the hang using same measurement system from centre of hub vertically to under arch, and then we can compare to the hang dimensions I put a few posts back of my VW 1BB Heavy duty suspension version, this hopefully should be able to clarify stroke lengths between VW and Seikel suspension?

Hey Saltdog,
as you requested I have measured under the jack points with the vehicle on the ground and unladden (completely empty except for fuel) these are the measurements:
Front Left and right = 240mm
Rear Left and right =271mm

I was surprised how equal they were side to side after my previous post of hub to arch measurement so re-measured hub to arch and got:
LHF =457mm
RHF =454mm
LHR =465mm
RHR =462mm
the vehicle was sitting on much flatter ground this time, believe this is what has changed my LHF measurement to be a bit more consistent with the rest of the vehicle,
its interesting how they are all closer to the 1BA factory measurements but my vehicle is Definitely 1BB as I have checked the vin full code list of my vehicle (about 5 pages off erwin) and also checked the color coding on the shocks and springs to be correct to 1BB spec

Hey dunc4wd,

The Ambulances and I believe police vehicles also in NSW are a 1BH maxi suspension, only they and trakka have the 1BH maxi suspension (capability) also known as a T32 (3.2tonne PR "OWR") (I don't Believe Maxi 1BH option is offered by VW to the general public),

If you look closely on the siekel site you will see the Maxi and Maxi HD struts have different clamping arrangement to the VW standard and Seikel Desert and DesertHD kits for the T30's (3tonne, PR "OWQ") which all the other standard T5's in australia are, the standard or desert system "inserts into" the lower bearing/steering knuckle, the Maxi has a clamp on the strut that "clamps to the outside" of a different type of steering knuckle running gear (called maxi) which I believe VW have a higher bearing load and strength arrangement rating on this knuckle , maxi also has extra body reinforcements thus why it is the only one capable of 3.2t

That being said the maxi 1BH vehicle I believe is still originally only rated to 3t PR "OWQ" (thus my "capability" comment) unless the actual 3.2t struts and springs are specified originally from VW or are Upgraded to Seikel maxi hd kit and the certificate to increase GVM is purchased from Seikel, it should have your vehicle GVM rating somewhere in the manual or on the placard in the driver door,

hope you can understand my blabber, I know how it all works real world , I'm just not an articulate wordsmith with correct punctuation to explain it clearly,

PS: PR is the code number of options on the vehicles (there are hundreds of them for each vehicle ) there a list of them on the net somewhere for VW , it will explain what the codes mean,
If you goto Erwin and pay t download your Vehicle specs by putting in your Vin No. it will show all the codes for your vehicle

Keep up the good work on this thread Guys
Hopefully we'll find out if the Seikel is the same or longer travel sometime , also would be good too know the spring rates etc but thats a bit harder to find without testing, spring wire diameter and coil turn no might not be enough , NOTE: all spring rates may have to match the original spring rate on newer vehicles to prevent the ESP/ESC causing rollover at speed!

Regards

MAD

[johannvisser]

Thanks MAD, great thread, helping a lot of us in South Africa

[Seano]

If it is any help...the Bilstein shocks in the Seikel T4 kits were exactly the same as stock except for custom valving. I'd suggest that the T5 units are similar...

[Bryn23]

I'm chasing up VW about the 3.2T GVM upgrade...just waiting for a email to confirm, if it is possible for the Public Consumer...

Trakka won't sell a 3.2GVM to the Public, i asked today, and the dealers i rang, didn't understand what a T32 or 3200GVM is...

I assumed it would have been an option as when i was spending time in NZ around 2014 they had it as a PG1 Option and it was $2400.. it's now $2700 option for the T6.

[MAD]

I'm chasing up VW about the 3.2T GVM upgrade...just waiting for a email to confirm, if it is possible for the Public Consumer...

Trakka won't sell a 3.2GVM to the Public, i asked today, and the dealers i rang, didn't understand what a T32 or 3200GVM is...

I assumed it would have been an option as when i was spending time in NZ around 2014 they had it as a PG1 Option and it was $2400.. it's now $2700 option for the T6.

Hey Bryn23,
Yeah an not surprised that dealers in Aus don't know what it is, all they know is what is in there shiny catalog, if you asked them even about the suspension options in the catalog upgrade 1 or 2 as I and others on this thread have and what is the difference or the actual PR CODE is, you will just get repeated the definition written in the shiny catalog, no specifics! They just want to sell a vehicle that's all,
For that reason is why I found and payed the information myself to get the real truth on the VW suspension options in these vehicles

Trakka offer 3.2t as an seikel option on there T5 ORP vehicle (not sure about the T6) but don't expect just to by the siekel 3.2 maxi suspension off them unless u have a 1BH maxi vehicle to attach it to,

As I stated "capable" most vans even the maxi may only come as an 3t PR-OWQ not the 3.2t PR-OWR,

The $700 suspension upgrade 2 in the T5 shiny brocher is PR-1BB + PR-0WQ , or in there service manuals 1BB= heavy duty, T30 =OWQ ,

The $300 suspension upgrade 1 in the shiny brocher is PR-1BJ + PR-OWQ "reinforced suspension" still at 3t

The standard suspension is PR-1BA + PR-OWQ still at 3t,

"VW" Maxi 3.2t would be PR-1BH + PR-OWR ,

But please remember as I stated in my other post, NONE of the "VW" suspensions provide lift, only the aftermarket kits do !

Regards
Mad

[Bryn23]

Hey Bryn23,
Yeah an not surprised that dealers in Aus don't know what it is, all they know is what is in there shiny catalog, if you asked them even about the suspension options in the catalog upgrade 1 or 2 as I and others on this thread have and what is the difference or the actual PR CODE is, you will just get repeated the definition written in the shiny catalog, no specifics! They just want to sell a vehicle that's all,
For that reason is why I found and payed the information myself to get the real truth on the VW suspension options in these vehicles

Trakka offer 3.2t as an seikel option on there T5 ORP vehicle (not sure about the T6) but don't expect just to by the siekel 3.2 maxi suspension off them unless u have a 1BH maxi vehicle to attach it to,

As I stated "capable" most vans even the maxi may only come as an 3t PR-OWQ not the 3.2t PR-OWR,

The $700 suspension upgrade 2 in the T5 shiny brocher is PR-1BB + PR-0WQ , or in there service manuals 1BB= heavy duty, T30 =OWQ ,

The $300 suspension upgrade 1 in the shiny brocher is PR-1BJ + PR-OWQ "reinforced suspension" still at 3t

The standard suspension is PR-1BA + PR-OWQ still at 3t,

"VW" Maxi 3.2t would be PR-1BH + PR-OWR ,

But please remember as I stated in my other post, NONE of the "VW" suspensions provide lift, only the aftermarket kits do !

Regards
Mad

Im glad im not the only one that is surprised by their lack of knowledge.. If it isn't on the brochure, it seemed too hard...

Glad you brought up the No Lift, on those 2 VW factory options, i got told that the Rough Road was a 20mm lift yesterday...


Spoke to another sales guy about the 3200GVM upgrade at a different dealership and i laughed when i got told just buy a Crafter. two different vehicles and different applications.

I don't know why there isn't a options list like the NZ one below. if you look at the suspension options. it tells you the difference.

Anyhow, i spoke to VW and submitted a question about the 3200GVM, haven't heard back yet and i found a sales guy yo ask his regional Manager for clarification.

If i get the same answer from both.. then i have my answer.

I asked Trakka, yesterday, if they would sell me a 3200GVM new Model and was told flat out that they aren't allowed to sell there 3200GVM models to the Public..

http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/media/373513/spec_opt_sheet_transporter_my16_march-2016.pdf

[Murphenzo]

MAD: I fly back to Aus tomorrow. I should be able to get those measurements for you next week.

[MAD]

Im glad im not the only one that is surprised by their lack of knowledge.. If it isn't on the brochure, it seemed too hard...

Glad you brought up the No Lift, on those 2 VW factory options, i got told that the Rough Road was a 20mm lift yesterday...


Spoke to another sales guy about the 3200GVM upgrade at a different dealership and i laughed when i got told just buy a Crafter. two different vehicles and different applications.

I don't know why there isn't a options list like the NZ one below. if you look at the suspension options. it tells you the difference.

Anyhow, i spoke to VW and submitted a question about the 3200GVM, haven't heard back yet and i found a sales guy yo ask his regional Manager for clarification.

If i get the same answer from both.. then i have my answer.

I asked Trakka, yesterday, if they would sell me a 3200GVM new Model and was told flat out that they aren't allowed to sell there 3200GVM models to the Public..


http://www.volkswagen.co.nz/media/37...march-2016.pdf

Hey Guys,

BYRN23

I don't see PG1 listed on any of my downloads so maybe a T6 PR number? EDIT: found PG2 = 3.2T Gross Vehicle Weight Rating with 17" steel wheels (found this PR code off a LWB Vehicle VIN that had 1BH maxi suspension, it was NSW police vehicle that was the wreck I got my DIfflock diff from)

Maybe the 20mm lift they're talking about is for the lower 1BA suspension (certain Vehicles, which may include a SWB!! ) being brought up to the same Height as the 1BA standard, 1BB, 1BJ and 1BH as from my earlier post,

Ive added and updated a bit more, what I believe are the main options in AUSTRALIA,
(There are many many more configurations, too much info to put all the codes here, I'd be here for a day)

Note : all the codes I put below are up to 03/2015, for T5 transporter vehicles, any newer codes or other Vehicles maybe different also other codes in addition to these PR CODES may change the suspension outcome also

Factory damper specifications
Front:
1BA = 471 +/- 10mm (standard) (maybe long wheel base types (LWB= OE2) listing many other PR no.s including OE2)
1BA = 455 +/- 10mm (certain Vehicles) (maybe Short wheel base types (SWB = OE1) listing many other PR no.s including OE1)
1BJ = 471 +/- 10mm (reinforced suspension)(listed as PR "all vehicles" type)
1BB = 471 +/- 10 mm (heavy duty)(listed as PR "all vehicles" type)
1BH = 471 +/- 15mm (Maxi 3.2T)(listed as PR "all vehicles" type)

Rear:
1BA = 479 +/- 15mm (standard)(maybe long wheel base types (LWB= OE2) many PR no.s including OE2)
1BA = 459 +/- 10mm (certain vehicles)(maybe Short wheel base types (SWB = OE1) many PR no.s including OE1)
1BJ = 479 +/- 15mm (reinforced suspension)(listed as PR "all vehicles" type)
1BB = 479 +/- 15mm (heavy duty)(listed as PR "all vehicles" type)
1BH = 479 +/- 15mm (Maxi 3.2 T)(listed as PR "all vehicles" type)

So as you can see above I re-looked up my paperwork that I bought from VW erwin and it has Quite an alphabet of PR option numbers after the 1BA lower height suspension, one of which is CODE PR-OE1 ( this means short wheel base SWB vehicle) but it has a lot of other PR numbers with a '+' in front of them listed also which means it maybe a SWB vehicle + another PR code that makes it a lower suspension, But if you are Buying a SWB vehicle I would highly recommend finding out what PR Numbers it would have when the dealer is generating the vehicle you want to order and looking it up on erwin to make sure you get the standard height you're after even if you're going to lift it, the standard 1BA suspension at the higher Height does have the +OE2 (long wheel base LWB) listed below it also with more PR numbers
I would paste the full list here but unfortunately you are not allowed too and are warned when you download from the erwin site that it is for the person paying only!

To clarify the 1BA Higher and 1BA Lower LWB/ SWB, we would probably need someone who has a standard no suspension option SWB and LWB to measure it and paste the measurements here,
My Van is LWB OE2 and definitely 1BB

There also maybe differences of a 16" running gear PR-2E3 vehicle Vs a 17" running gear vehicle PR-2E4 (4motion is usually 17" though)

Hey Murph

Thanks Mate that would be Great, I reckon it will probably be the same as standard stroke like Seano said with the T4 kits but if the T5 Seikel kits are longer it would be an extra benefit of articulation off road,

Regards

MAD

[MAD]

PS:

BYRN23

just looked over your link from NZ,
it has a lot of the other codes listed there and also mentions the 20mm lower SWB vehicle as 1 of the options,

Wish the Australia version of Specs and options was as clear as that with the CODE , description and cost all inline it would actually let the Buyer know what there getting,

Not sure of the difference between PG1 and PG2 , trying to ring the list of Codes that I have somewhere will post it if I can find it

anyhow Sleep time for me

Regard

Mad

[Big Bug]

Don't do what I did when I ordered my Seikel Desert Hd suspension from Seikel in Germany and pay the extra $170 Euro for the documentation to say the vehicle can be upgraded to 3,200kg GVM. Had an engineer look at it last week and he said , no....the suspension has to be "type approved". Which I gather means that it costs quite a bit of money to have it "tested and approved". It would appear the TUV approval documentation means absolutely nothing here.

So that was money down the drain. I guess Trakka has gone through that approval process for the Maxi HD Suspension only. I know when I called them they wouldn't sell me the Maxi HD suspension only the other ones. Seems a strange attitude to have when they are the sole Seikel Australian Agents for the Transporter. Wolf 4x4 have been working for at least 2 years to add the Transporter but with no success.

Bruce CQ

[Bryn23]

Don't do what I did when I ordered my Seikel Desert Hd suspension from Seikel in Germany and pay the extra $170 Euro for the documentation to say the vehicle can be upgraded to 3,200kg GVM. Had an engineer look at it last week and he said , no....the suspension has to be "type approved". Which I gather means that it costs quite a bit of money to have it "tested and approved". It would appear the TUV approval documentation means absolutely nothing here.

So that was money down the drain. I guess Trakka has gone through that approval process for the Maxi HD Suspension only. I know when I called them they wouldn't sell me the Maxi HD suspension only the other ones. Seems a strange attitude to have when they are the sole Seikel Australian Agents for the Transporter. Wolf 4x4 have been working for at least 2 years to add the Transporter but with no success.

Bruce CQ

I had a feeling that it would have taken more than the Seikel Certificate for the 3200GVM upgrade, as the 3200GVM Transporter has a lot more Chassis Reinforcement and different suspension mountings than the 3000kg model we get here. Thats why they can't sell you the "MAXI" HD Suspension, it won't fit the 3000kg GVM transporter.

The 3200kg trakka uses the VW Factory 3200GVM Transporter model, so it is already plated and complied to 3200GVM. (trying to see if i can get one through VW Australia)

Suck wasting $170 bucks though, Thanks for the tip on the DSG remapping, could be worth looking into if i go 235/65/R17.

Cheers

[dunc4wd]

so i have X NSW ambulance, it is plated to 3000GVM and is definetly fitted with the Maxi type suspension. it has the double bolt type mounts to the front struts

[Bryn23]

so i have X NSW ambulance, it is plated to 3000GVM and is definetly fitted with the Maxi type suspension. it has the double bolt type mounts to the front struts

Interesting, what going on here.