TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:49 am

To bilstein or not to bilstein . . . that is the question. Anyone have an opinion on bilsteins? (Price/value issues aside). How is the ride? Are they suitable for the war torn roads of New England?

Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:42 am

Been here?

https://pointer.webappcabaret.net/busdepot/view.jsp?model=42&category=38&group=-1&prodgroup=-1

The Konis are nice but those are real money. They have some other nice ones in there. The oil ones ride better than the KYB gas ones (like I have).

Mon Jun 06, 2005 11:06 am

Hmm, I've heard KYBs are good shocks, but are a little too harsh. I currently have Bilsteins HD. I bought them for $289 w/free shipping.
I'm running those with newer >87 stock springs. It rides comfortable, handles a lot better and takes bumps well.

Mon Jun 06, 2005 2:14 pm

:D I have used both the kyb and bilstein. the only real difference I could find was in the rebound dampening.. when you hit a bump, they both absorb the bump just fine, but then you will bounce higher before you settle back down..... I am now using the koni adjustible shocks avalible from bus depot.... they have great warenty, and can be rebuilt and re valved to fit your needs. the bilsteins can also be rebuilt and re valved . :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Mon Jun 06, 2005 5:07 pm

I have the Bilstein heavy duty shocks and I think they are G R E A T.

I have no idea on the other shocks

Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:17 pm

Looks like the Koni's cost less than the Bilsteins....emmm...

So what's good for an 85 Westy?

My KYBs seem to be a bit bouncy if you come to a quick stop. The front dips a lot, is what I mean.

Tue Jun 07, 2005 7:04 pm

I got KYBs up front, and some E-bay Gabrial Gas Masters in the rear.

I don't think the ride is harsh at all, but then I like a stiff ride. :lol:

Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:02 pm

Here's my other issue. My 85 Westy sits at 18 inches in the front and 16.5 inches in the back and also has some Westy lean. It has 177K with KYBs - GR2 front (I think and are silver) and the KYB Gas-A-Adjusts (white) in the back. It is sitting way high in the front.

Our 89 Window van sits at 15.5 all the way around and has the Gabriels. I do not drive it as it is mainly a running (leaky head) $100 parts van.

I want the Westy to sit better. I am toying with new springs from syncro.org. Or just the stock late lower springs. I'll do what it takes to make the 85 ride nice and be safe. I just am not quite sure what to do.

HELP!

Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:30 pm

The shocks don't affect the ride height of your van. The springs do however. I recall hearing that syncro.org's springs will not fit a 2wd van. There is a line of HR lowering springs that ride about 2 inches lower that you could install on the front to get the nose down. Others have added a spacer to the rear springs, and I've also heard of someone switching the rear springs to combat the Westy lean. The theory is that the driver side spring is shorter from the years of Westy weight, and the slightly less squashed spring from the passenger side will then hold up the heavy side better, thus sort of evening out. I don't know about all that, but its an idea.

Tue Jun 07, 2005 10:33 pm

Syncro.org has two different sets of springs. One style specifically for the 2 wheel drive vans. They have 5 and 10 mm shims for the rear too. I do not want to slam the the Westy. :) So it is either stock late springs or the stiffer syncro.org springs, I think.

I have to do something, it is pretty bad at the moment. But, OK as the van is being painted. So I have to wait.