SWB and LWB rear springs

[matty]

  I was asked the question the other day if the springs are the same on both the short and long wheel base vans.  I haven't worked on a LWB yet so I couldn't give honest answer.

  I sure some one on here should be able to answer this.

  If they are different does any oneone know if the bushes are the same on both models and do we know of any suppliers of these bushes.

  Cheers.

[Jeff]

Around about 84 or thereabouts the spring eyes were enlarged on all models (except MAYBE the twin rear wheel) so bigger bushes could be used in order to improve the sound deadening properties. The Twin wheel model has different springs.
At about the same time multi leaf springs were introduced to short and long models
I'm sure Repco would be able to find a bush to fit either.
This happened in NZ where we followed the UK design fairly closely, but Australia did it's own thing, so they may be different.

[Leif wilson]

Hi. Thanks for bringing this topic up.

Mine is the LWB 78 with the dual wheel hubs and multi leaf springs.
The bushings on the springs are in a bad way. Need to repair or change them and looking for compatible options.

Need a good mechanic too as I can't do
it myself where I live. Any thoughts?

Cheers.
Leif

[ben]

gees ive played with both short and long wheel base springs.. but ive never tried to swap between them. so right now i cant honestly tell you.

give me a sec...

[ben]

seems like to me (in the dark) the springs measure the same length. but the shackles are beefyer on the lwb and the bolts and bushes are also beefyer.

so i think if you were able to use swb shackles and all that you may get away with swapping the springs over but also is to remember that swb diffs sit underneath and lwb diffs sit on top so youd have to do a mod to your diff for this. unless you wanted your van really really low at the back end.

cheersben

[neville668bartos]

regarding the suppliers on the bushes i found autobarn can get most stuff, the front ones anyway. pretty pricey though

[SkippyThBushKangeroo]

its spelt  beefier ....no..no..really..please....no need to thank me ben ... just glad to be of help...& im bored

[Sundownernz]

When I updated all my suspension bushes a number of years back I could get all the front ones (still can) and the rear shock bushes but couldn't get the rear spring bushes (both hanger and springs) anywhere (rubber originals or nolethane). In the end I got a suspension shop to make me up a full set in nolethane. I think they machined them down from larger stock nolethane rod. Cost about $280 I think for the six bushes. Still in and working well.

Cheers,
Garry.

[Bas NZ]

Strange Garry, 2 years ago my van was updated with a full set, front and back, with nolethane , stock straight of the shelf ?