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danielheff
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2016
Posts: 179
Location: San Diego, CA
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 Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| montanasurfer wrote: |
I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
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How old were the Bilstiens you were running? I'm curious how these two shocks compare out of the box. I'm currently running the XHD Bilstiens from GW and they were a massive improvement over the worn out Koni's.
_________________
'70 Squareback 1835cc
'85 Vanagon GL Camper, EJ22, Peloquin Diff, Burley rear disc brakes, SC big front brakes, Espar D2L, 250ah Lifepo4
'85.5 944 NA |
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VicVan 
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015
Posts: 2000
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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| Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 12:29 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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These shock are appealing.
| Finagon wrote: |
| Could you also add some detail regarding the "re-buildability" of the shocks, like how, where, etc? |
I second this question!
_________________
'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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montanasurfer
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2014
Posts: 326
Location: United States
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| Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| danielheff wrote: |
| montanasurfer wrote: |
I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
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How old were the Bilstiens you were running? I'm curious how these two shocks compare out of the box. I'm currently running the XHD Bilstiens from GW and they were a massive improvement over the worn-out Koni's. |
I replaced Sachs shocks (PO Installed) with the HD Bilstiens in 2017. I recall that when I installed them I had the impression of "How are these different from what I had before? Did I just waste a bunch of money?" I installed a Hightop and did a custom conversion from a Tin Top shortly after that in 2017 and the Bilsteins have had the boat-like sway and nose slam ever since. I never noticed any shock puking or failures with the HD Bilstiens.
It's possible I would have liked the XHD Bilstiens better, maybe I should have purchased those back in the day. However, T3 has thus far turned me into a convert for his adjustable shocks. I have buds with fox shocks and I think my van's ride feels similar to theirs now, maybe a touch softer. I'm almost tempted to dial these up to 28 to see how that feels. I suspect it would be WAY harsher than the Fox Shocks.
_________________
1987 Vanagon GL - Wolfsburg Edition |
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odd todd
Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2007
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| I just ordered a set since I only just found out they were available. I have been searching for a good shock for quite some time. Regular Vanagon shocks regularly top out on my lifted van and everything still leaves the van feeling mushy and unstable at high speeds (3.3 six, lifted 86 Westy). I am currently running Ranchos for a Ford truck with them set to 7. I could try nine but 7 wasn’t much better than six. |
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rebelbrews
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2023
Posts: 2
Location: Portland
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 8:08 am Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| I just had these installed on my '88 vanagon tin top with a 2.2l conversion. Still need to get the alignment done, but I'm curious what setting folks are running these at while on the road. They are currently dialed all the way open (softest). |
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montanasurfer
Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2014
Posts: 326
Location: United States
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 11:22 am Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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I have them dialed up to six. Four felt pretty good, eight felt more unstable. So I dialed it to six and have been using that for about a month.
Great shocks! I am quite happy. I also have taken them off road at the six setting and they felt great too!
_________________
1987 Vanagon GL - Wolfsburg Edition |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5550
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| rebelbrews wrote: |
| ... I'm curious what setting folks are running these at while on the road. They are currently dialed all the way open (softest). |
The adjustment setting that anyone settles on will depend on four main factors:
Vehicle weight
Wheel/tire weight
Spring rate (stiffness)
Owner's desired ride quality
Since all of our vans have different curb weights, we all have differing wheel/tire weights, many have springs that range from slightly stiffer than stock to much stiffer than stock, those differences alone will make every single van require settings that suit that particular van. It's hard to recommend a starting point due to these varying factors. And then throw in the variety of different preferences in ride quality, and it's easy to see how difficult it can be to recommend settings. Here's an example.
My light weight tin top 2wd Van weighs roughly 3500 lbs. During some experimentation of different suspension set ups, I initially installed springs that had a spring rate that is about 200 lbs more than the stock 1984 GL springs. The ride quality was okay (a bit stiff for my liking though), but it had a bit of bounce to it. I ended up dialing in the shocks to about 6 clicks from full soft before I was starting to get satisfied with the ride quality. I then installed springs that had a spring rate that is about 150 lbs stiffer than stock. That's only a difference of 50 lbs in the spring rate, but yet the 6-click setting on the shocks was too stiff, so I had to dial it back to 3 clicks from full soft to achieve the ride quality I wanted.
Now, keep in mind that my daily driver van is super light compared to many vans on the roads. A bone stock Westy comes in at about 4300 lbs (roughly). That alone will necessitate the need to have different settings than say my light weight van. So it's easy to see how simple, seemingly minor, changes can necessitate different shock settings. Luckily, the adjustments are super easy to make, so it's not a big deal to have to experiment a bit until you get them set properly.
For someone starting front scratch, the ideal protocol is to leave the shocks at full soft initially. Drive around for a bit, paying attention to how it feels to you. If it feels too bouncing or too soft, turn the adjusters clockwise four clicks and do some more driving to evaluate the change. As long as the ride quality keeps improving, keep up this process until the ride quality becomes worse. Then start backing off the adjuster (counter clockwise) by one click at a time until the ride quality improves. Now you are in the sweet spot where you can really fine tune things one click at a time (softer or stiffer) either direction as needed. Make sure you adjust all four shocks to exactly the same number of clicks up or down in stiffness. Only after you have the van fairly dialed in should you experiment with different settings front and rear.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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kluzi
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2023
Posts: 19
Location: santa cruz
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:24 am Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| Great and honest advice. |
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therastavan
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2020
Posts: 117
Location: California
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| Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2024 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| I do not see a standard height version for these shocks, just intermediate and lifted. Will there be a standard height version? |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 7301
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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| Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2024 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| therastavan wrote: |
| I do not see a standard height version for these shocks, just intermediate and lifted. Will there be a standard height version? |
The yellow Spax were sold for that, but it looks like not carried by Chris anymore? 
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget |
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Christopher Schimke
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005
Posts: 5550
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 7:02 am Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| therastavan wrote: |
| I do not see a standard height version for these shocks, just intermediate and lifted. Will there be a standard height version? |
We have three different shocks that cover everything from lowered to lifted.
Lowered to stock height shocks are for vans with lowering springs, factory 30mm lowered van, and vans that tend to sit on the lower end of the standard height range. These shocks just slightly shorter than Bilsteins and will work well on any van that has a ride height of 16.5" of less.
https://t3technique.com/collections/springs-shocks/products/spax-adjustable-shocks-front
The EXP Series-031i shocks are roughly the same lengths as Bilsteins and work well for vans that are standard height up to about 17.5" of ride height.
The EXP Series-031L shocks slightly longer than Bilsteins and work well for vans that have a height above 17.5" of ride height or so.
https://t3technique.com/collections/springs-shocks/products/lifted-2wd-vanagon-shocks
There is a bit of overlap between the three shock options, but if you choose the shocks based on the ride height of your van, you'll be golden.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]
Last edited by Christopher Schimke on Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:09 am; edited 2 times in total |
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E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 8803
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 8:05 am Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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^^^ Here’s a guy who deserves all the success in the world.
Thanks.
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
The caveman’s first question to the headhunter: “Hey, you got any coffee?” |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 263
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2025 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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2 years later, what setting did you end up leaving them on for most driving?
| montanasurfer wrote: |
I just installed these on my van today.
My initial impression is... THAT I AM STOKED! They immediately blew me away with how much more stable they made my van. I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
I took the van on a 30-mile drive and hit a small stretch of dirt road riddled with potholes. I initially left the shocks at the full soft setting. They felt great and I probably could have left them as is since they are such a vast improvement compared to the Bilstiens, but I decided to play around so I dialed them to 4. Even better!
It tackled the potholes up like they were nothing. No more bouncing on springs and feeling out of control.
On the highway, I tested hard braking and I no longer have the issue with the front end of the van slamming down.
My van is a hightop and with the Bilstiens, it felt like a boat swaying every which way. The T3 shocks have fixed this regarding fast corners and sharp turns. I'm excited for the next time I get to drive in a crosswind so I can test that out.
I'm also excited to see how they hold up on some washboard roads and do some moderate offroading. I anticipate they will impress! I'll keep y'all posted if I have any issues.
Christopher, these made for some great first impressions. Thank you! |
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
FAS 2.0 Gas GENV (10/2025)
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front & rear disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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Christopholi
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2011
Posts: 265
Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| Icebox500 wrote: |
2 years later, what setting did you end up leaving them on for most driving?
| montanasurfer wrote: |
I just installed these on my van today.
My initial impression is... THAT I AM STOKED! They immediately blew me away with how much more stable they made my van. I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
I took the van on a 30-mile drive and hit a small stretch of dirt road riddled with potholes. I initially left the shocks at the full soft setting. They felt great and I probably could have left them as is since they are such a vast improvement compared to the Bilstiens, but I decided to play around so I dialed them to 4. Even better!
It tackled the potholes up like they were nothing. No more bouncing on springs and feeling out of control.
On the highway, I tested hard braking and I no longer have the issue with the front end of the van slamming down.
My van is a hightop and with the Bilstiens, it felt like a boat swaying every which way. The T3 shocks have fixed this regarding fast corners and sharp turns. I'm excited for the next time I get to drive in a crosswind so I can test that out.
I'm also excited to see how they hold up on some washboard roads and do some moderate offroading. I anticipate they will impress! I'll keep y'all posted if I have any issues.
Christopher, these made for some great first impressions. Thank you! |
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I have been running mine at about 14 clicks up from the bottom. It's a reasonably stiff ride, but not rough. For forest service roads, I go down four clicks, and it is pretty smooth. If I drive this way on pavement, I find it bounces and sways a bit much for my tastes. My van is lifted (2WD, ~18.5") and I do have a hightop, so that plays into it.
_________________
1988 Tintop Wolfsburg Special Edition - "Meatloaf"
RMW 2.5 Subaru, SubaruGears 5MT 4.44 w/LSD, Coast Mountain Hightop |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 263
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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Thank you. I installed mine yesterday and set them to 4 clicks after a test drive. I too suffer a dive and have a lifted van. Will test drive 4 clicks this week.
James
| Christopholi wrote: |
| Icebox500 wrote: |
2 years later, what setting did you end up leaving them on for most driving?
| montanasurfer wrote: |
I just installed these on my van today.
My initial impression is... THAT I AM STOKED! They immediately blew me away with how much more stable they made my van. I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
I took the van on a 30-mile drive and hit a small stretch of dirt road riddled with potholes. I initially left the shocks at the full soft setting. They felt great and I probably could have left them as is since they are such a vast improvement compared to the Bilstiens, but I decided to play around so I dialed them to 4. Even better!
It tackled the potholes up like they were nothing. No more bouncing on springs and feeling out of control.
On the highway, I tested hard braking and I no longer have the issue with the front end of the van slamming down.
My van is a hightop and with the Bilstiens, it felt like a boat swaying every which way. The T3 shocks have fixed this regarding fast corners and sharp turns. I'm excited for the next time I get to drive in a crosswind so I can test that out.
I'm also excited to see how they hold up on some washboard roads and do some moderate offroading. I anticipate they will impress! I'll keep y'all posted if I have any issues.
Christopher, these made for some great first impressions. Thank you! |
|
I have been running mine at about 14 clicks up from the bottom. It's a reasonably stiff ride, but not rough. For forest service roads, I go down four clicks, and it is pretty smooth. If I drive this way on pavement, I find it bounces and sways a bit much for my tastes. My van is lifted (2WD, ~18.5") and I do have a hightop, so that plays into it. |
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
FAS 2.0 Gas GENV (10/2025)
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front & rear disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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Christopholi
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2011
Posts: 265
Location: Vancouver, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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| Icebox500 wrote: |
Thank you. I installed mine yesterday and set them to 4 clicks after a test drive. I too suffer a dive and have a lifted van. Will test drive 4 clicks this week.
James
| Christopholi wrote: |
| Icebox500 wrote: |
2 years later, what setting did you end up leaving them on for most driving?
| montanasurfer wrote: |
I just installed these on my van today.
My initial impression is... THAT I AM STOKED! They immediately blew me away with how much more stable they made my van. I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
Just note that I am at 14 clicks, not 4. I prefer it on the stiff side 
I took the van on a 30-mile drive and hit a small stretch of dirt road riddled with potholes. I initially left the shocks at the full soft setting. They felt great and I probably could have left them as is since they are such a vast improvement compared to the Bilstiens, but I decided to play around so I dialed them to 4. Even better!
It tackled the potholes up like they were nothing. No more bouncing on springs and feeling out of control.
On the highway, I tested hard braking and I no longer have the issue with the front end of the van slamming down.
My van is a hightop and with the Bilstiens, it felt like a boat swaying every which way. The T3 shocks have fixed this regarding fast corners and sharp turns. I'm excited for the next time I get to drive in a crosswind so I can test that out.
I'm also excited to see how they hold up on some washboard roads and do some moderate offroading. I anticipate they will impress! I'll keep y'all posted if I have any issues.
Christopher, these made for some great first impressions. Thank you! |
|
I have been running mine at about 14 clicks up from the bottom. It's a reasonably stiff ride, but not rough. For forest service roads, I go down four clicks, and it is pretty smooth. If I drive this way on pavement, I find it bounces and sways a bit much for my tastes. My van is lifted (2WD, ~18.5") and I do have a hightop, so that plays into it. |
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Just note that I am at 14 clicks, not 4. I prefer it on the stiffer side
_________________
1988 Tintop Wolfsburg Special Edition - "Meatloaf"
RMW 2.5 Subaru, SubaruGears 5MT 4.44 w/LSD, Coast Mountain Hightop |
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Icebox500
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2021
Posts: 263
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2025 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: T3 Technique lifted 2wd shocks |
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Aha! As much as 4 is an improvement I was already thinking about 8, lol.
| Christopholi wrote: |
| Icebox500 wrote: |
Thank you. I installed mine yesterday and set them to 4 clicks after a test drive. I too suffer a dive and have a lifted van. Will test drive 4 clicks this week.
James
| Christopholi wrote: |
| Icebox500 wrote: |
2 years later, what setting did you end up leaving them on for most driving?
| montanasurfer wrote: |
I just installed these on my van today.
My initial impression is... THAT I AM STOKED! They immediately blew me away with how much more stable they made my van. I used to be running HD Bilstiens and those things are terrible by comparison.
Just note that I am at 14 clicks, not 4. I prefer it on the stiff side
I took the van on a 30-mile drive and hit a small stretch of dirt road riddled with potholes. I initially left the shocks at the full soft setting. They felt great and I probably could have left them as is since they are such a vast improvement compared to the Bilstiens, but I decided to play around so I dialed them to 4. Even better!
It tackled the potholes up like they were nothing. No more bouncing on springs and feeling out of control.
On the highway, I tested hard braking and I no longer have the issue with the front end of the van slamming down.
My van is a hightop and with the Bilstiens, it felt like a boat swaying every which way. The T3 shocks have fixed this regarding fast corners and sharp turns. I'm excited for the next time I get to drive in a crosswind so I can test that out.
I'm also excited to see how they hold up on some washboard roads and do some moderate offroading. I anticipate they will impress! I'll keep y'all posted if I have any issues.
Christopher, these made for some great first impressions. Thank you! |
|
I have been running mine at about 14 clicks up from the bottom. It's a reasonably stiff ride, but not rough. For forest service roads, I go down four clicks, and it is pretty smooth. If I drive this way on pavement, I find it bounces and sways a bit much for my tastes. My van is lifted (2WD, ~18.5") and I do have a hightop, so that plays into it. |
|
Just note that I am at 14 clicks, not 4. I prefer it on the stiffer side |
_________________
87 Westy 2WD “Van Geaux”
FAS 2.0 Gas GENV (10/2025)
AZ Transaxle + Peloquin Manual Transmission
GW lift springs, solar, Burley front & rear disc, etc...
New Orleans, LA (previously CO, WA, and CA)
Past
87, 90 Westys
64, 65 splittys + various air cooled |
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