Manufactured slightly stiffer than stock springs to allow better handling and stability. An empty Westy will have a ride height of roughly 17 to 17.25 inches with Schwenk 2wd springs measuring from the center of the wheel/axle to the lower lip of the fender. Ride my vary as to the year of the van and the accessories you have bolted to it. The ride height of your Vanagon may increase roughly between 1/2 to 1.0" above stock ride height depending on your year and model (but may raise you even more since your current springs may be sagging with age).
The primary goal of the custom springs is to improve handling and stability. The springs have a firmer feel, improve stability in cross-winds, improve cornering, and will make your van handle much better regardless of the weight load that you are carrying. A secondary goal is to increase the usable suspension travel by increasing the ride height modestly. How much-increased height you get will depend on your van as different year vans came new with varying height springs. The early 80s vans (and late model Carat vans) will get the greatest lift in terms of increased ride height (roughly 1.0" - 1.5" depending on how much your old springs are sagging). Later vans will get a moderate increase in height (roughly 0.5" - 1.0"). 1985 vans will see only a modest increase in height (roughly 0.5").
The extra height gives additional usable suspension travel, which is nice on rougher roads, especially when traveling with a full load. Generally, the new springs will allow the van to ride when loaded at a height with the suspension travel available that the van would normally ride empty on the stock springs. The increase in height was kept modest and within VW specs not to adversely affect cornering on the highway. No modifications or ball joint adapters are needed to get the alignment within specs. The increase in stiffness was kept modest to ensure that the stock shock damping would be adequate for the spring rate and keep the suspension supple and responsive. However, the increase in stiffness is enough to address the sloppy wallowing feeling, poor cross-wind stability, and mushy cornering the stock springs typically have. These springs are a definite improvement over the stock springs. We have been selling and installing these springs for over ten years.
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