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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 1:09 pm Post subject: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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Hi folks.
"Affordable" $110 USD maximum?
Sachs/Boge
KYB
Bilstein HD
or ?
For 2WD what is the longest lasting most durable shock for paved road use with some dirt road driving? e.g. forest service roads.
i.e. I know the OE Boge are NLA but do Sachs/Boge last anywhere near as long as the OE Boge?
My relatively low mile Sachs shocks on my '81 with GW zero lift springs seem to be failing or failed. Granted, I did drive them on some dirt roads.
A friends '85 had KYB shocks (how old I don't know). I didn't find the ride too harsh.
I'm looking for affordable front/rear shocks that are durable and won't fail early if driven on some dirt roads.
Thanks
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17114 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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When I was young, I installed Bilsteins on my Volvo 122S. It came alive. On my vw scirocco road race car, I ran Bilstein coilover racing shocks. When came time for our 82 camper, yellow Bilsteins all 4 corners. When I built my Syncro, black Bilsteins all around. I’ve never had one fail. Each vehicle that got them handling wise was a noticeable improvement.
I’ve removed plenty of failed KYB and Boge shocks. Based on my experience, I recommend Bilsteins. My current race car has Penske shocks. They don’t fit your budget. _________________ ☮️ |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2795 Location: North Carolina
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Yellow Rabbit Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2005 Posts: 1146
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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Someone once said, “affordability, durability, performance - pick 2”. That’s the problem with these vans, you can so easily dump your life savings into upgrades. I totally get the dillema. That being said, I love love my Bilstein XHDs. |
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82westyrabbit Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2015 Posts: 969 Location: Ma
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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I have KYB shocks. They have been on my van for a long time I don’t know if they are the best but they have worked for me. John |
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BIRD84WESTY Samba Member
Joined: June 16, 2007 Posts: 86 Location: Boise, ID
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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A couple years ago I replaced 10 yr old KYBs with the NAPA Gas Grande (Loogy recommend, and just over $100) shocks all the way around along with GOWesty's front bushing kit on my 84 Westy, with Carat springs. Man, what a difference, way better than the KYBs. KYBs are bouncy and I felt more body roll with them compared to the NAPA Gas Grande ones. I'm sure the bushing replacements made a world of difference though. _________________ 1984 Westy w/Bostig in the trunk |
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ZsZ Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2010 Posts: 1645 Location: Budapest Hungary, Europe
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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Bilstein B4s are good quality OE replacement.
If you dont want to haul an entire warehouse of sporting goods to your every trip then there is no need for anything fancy. _________________ Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008 |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3092 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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air adj shocks for the back are nice to have and surprisingly cheap. offered by gabriel. bought at autozone. and ld got gabriel f shocks. ride is nice. the two air shocks were like IDR $60? for the pair.../lifetime warranty too IIRC so you buy them just once...search for a synchro to find fitment _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3092 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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here they are $52 for a pair.
hauled a 600lb motorcycl eon a hitch tray for 3,000 miles and couldn't tell it was there. nice for leveling a camper too
https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-...31896_7413
_________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6243 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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I also used the Gabriel HiJackers on the rear of my van. Had them installed 6 years now. Adjustability is great and no complaints on ride. You can get the optional kit to independently pressurize them which will take care of the Westy lean.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352053 _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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Thanks for different brand names I wasn't aware of and ideas. e.g. levelling my westy with adjustable shocks.
The front end is in good shape. I have T3 bushings at steering rack, sway bar, tranny mount, trailing arms But.... UCA bushings were squeaking and moving them by hand, is difficult. They are likely a factor in the bouncy ride over larger bumps.
My rear springs making more noise than usual (presumably between tail and trailing arm perch) when going over bumps, leads me to believe that the rear shocks are not working that well anymore.
The difference in road bump handling between this '81 vs my '88 with PS, is big. Both have had similar quality maintenance but the '88 has OE springs and red coloured newer likely OE type Boge rear shocks and black Sachs/Boge up front. But, that bus hasn't seen as many dirt road miles.
Basically, the main focus is to get some control back.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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nemobuscaptain Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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Note that there are two fairly different KYBs:
Gas-A-just- which arent really adjustable but are a firm, sporty handling type shock. These have been popular for decades but the johnny comelatelys seem to have soft arses. They claim GAs hurt their tushes and shake their lattes too much. Aircooled Colin even said it jarred him so bad he couldnt shoplift for days afterward. I blame Californication. Some claim GAs raise your bus slightly vs the worn shocks they removed but I dont know if that would be the case
GR2 or Excel G which are softer oil shocks for the elderly who dont like sporty rides. Perhaps sarcastic. They are comporable to all the other stockish oil filled shocks like Boge, Sachs etc (which I personally have never liked).
They were Japanese. Who knows today. _________________ Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub
RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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nemobuscaptain wrote: |
Note that there are two fairly different KYBs:
Gas-A-just- ..... These have been popular for decades but the johnny comelatelys seem to have soft arses. They claim GAs hurt their tushes and shake their lattes too much. |
LOL. Well, my primary concern was handling but now, gosh, what about my lattes? This has become a slippery slope of priorities!
I can handle latte turbulence though.
Thanks for the heads up on KYB model differences.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9798 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 11:37 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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That is an excellent price.
I have had a pair of those in use for more than 10 years and they still function fine. I went with the suggested 'dual' set-up (separate valve & pressure for each shock) to be able to use them to level the van side-to-side. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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BIRD84WESTY wrote: |
A couple years ago I replaced 10 yr old KYBs with the NAPA Gas Grande |
I don't see a Gas Grande 'exact fit' for the Vanagon via Canadian NAPA but there's a NAPA not far from me so if there's a warranty issue, replacement might be easier than with another brand. Searching for warranty info also gets hits for Monroe. I wonder if they're made by Monroe?
edit: PN's supplied by Loogy don't get web hits anymore. He posted those in 2009
Here's a link to Loogys (Christopher Schimke) post re: NAPA shocks and a very nice write up about shocks. e.g. I thought "gas" shocks literally had only gas in them.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=...09#3884254
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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khughes Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2013 Posts: 747 Location: Phoenix AZ
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
I also used the Gabriel HiJackers on the rear of my van. Had them installed 6 years now. Adjustability is great and no complaints on ride. You can get the optional kit to independently pressurize them which will take care of the Westy lean.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352053 |
I'm on my second set on HiJackers in probably 18 years, so I have no complaints with them. Ride is fine and fully adjustable for different loading levels or pulling a trailer. _________________ '86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin) |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10371 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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MayorMcCheese Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2009 Posts: 658 Location: Lancaster PA
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uberaudi Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013 Posts: 502 Location: Hi-top Country
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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I'm running Koni adjustables on the front and Gabriel Highjackers on the rear, with Schwenk springs and lots of poly...sitting at 17.5" fender to wheel center. I haven't treated them nicely and everything is as good as day one, 5 years later.
Leveling based on load is an underrated feature. One day nothing, the next it's +500 lbs and being able to adjust ride height while maintaining ride quality is key. And for the price, you really can't go wrong with the Highjackers. Mine are setup with one valve, but I do like the idea of two for leveling. |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 3019 Location: MD
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2020 6:13 am Post subject: Re: Most Durable Affordable 2WD Westy Shocks? Front/Rear |
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nemobuscaptain wrote: |
GR2 or Excel G which are softer oil shocks for the elderly who dont like sporty rides. |
I have the KYB Excel G in the rear on my Syncro, it's rides fine. No complaints on the price either, $35ish. I'd buy them again. If I want a sporty ride I'll take another vehicle. A van is inherently not sporty, lol, especially not one as high as a Syncro. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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