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porterville
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Joined: June 23, 2006
Posts: 472
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 Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:47 am Post subject: thinking about running air shocks |
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| im thinking about getting a set of air shocks but i dont know which ones to go with. i dont want to pay too much but agian i dont want to get some that are going to go bad next month. is anybody running air shocks, if so what are some brands to go for and some others to run from? also what are some pro's and con's to running air shocks. |
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Monsterbeetle
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Joined: May 09, 2004
Posts: 235
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:15 am Post subject: |
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| Gabriel Hi-Jackers are the only ones I've seen for bugs. You can get them through JC Whitney. I believe they're one of the best quality-wise. Some would question the use of air shocks (or coil overs) on a VW. Some have said the rear shock mounts aren't really designed to help hold up the rear of the car and could possibly break as a result. Others have had no problems. Something to think about. If you are trying to raise up a sagging rear suspension, the bug's rear torsion bars can be adjusted up or down. |
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Fahrvergnügen
Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2007
Posts: 138
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:30 am Post subject: |
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| I ran Gabriel Hi-Jackers on a '56 that I converted to a Baja (I know sacrilege) when I was in High School (1971 - 1974). Most of the guys in our bug club did it, even street guys. I never had any problem with them. I have a set on my F-150 and they work great. They are probably the best you can get for the price. Monroe Air Max's are a little more $, but I don't see them as being significantly better. |
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Dusty1
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Joined: April 16, 2004
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:25 am Post subject: |
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| Monsterbeetle wrote: | | Some would question the use of air shocks (or coil overs) on a VW. Some have said the rear shock mounts aren't really designed to help hold up the rear of the car and could possibly break as a result. Others have had no problems. |
The upper shock mount is a forging and it's up to the job. The lower shock mount is also a forging on swingaxle and a weldment on IRS, either way it's is strong enough to handle some weight.
Those Gabriel High Jackers used to be the hot setup on every teenager's muscle car back in the early '70s. The VW shock mounts are sturdier than the shock mounts on many older American cars and they have less weight to handle on a VW.
| Monsterbeetle wrote: | | If you are trying to raise up a sagging rear suspension, the bug's rear torsion bars can be adjusted up or down. |
+1 on adjusting the torsion bars. But it's not a five minute job and it's difficult to judge what the ride height will be until the car is fully assembled and on the road again. Getting the spring plates preloaded against the torsion bars and back in place can be tricky and dangerous, of course if you're lowering the car there's not as much preload workin' against you. |
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71 Bug
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Joined: October 08, 2011
Posts: 7
Location: New Hampshire State
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:11 pm Post subject: Air Shocks for Beetles |
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| I use Monroe Air shocks and haven't had a problem yet. Still working out some kinks since I lowered my back end. Can't seem to get the back end to lift back up to factory. Trying to Go from Lowered to Stock or slightly higher. But IMO Monroe Air Shocks is another good way to go. Paid $74 for a set with the lines included. |
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Cusser
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Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 9465
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:26 am Post subject: |
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I've been using Gabriel Hi-Jackers on the rear of my '71 convertible for over a decade, installed them as way easier and faster than me adjusting the rear torsion bars to fix my sagging rear end (the VW's, not my own).
I add some air from my inflator about 3 times a year.
I did have to buy some metal spacer washers for the lower mount at Ace Hardware though to center them there.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2004 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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