Date:         Wed, 15 Feb 2006 16:39:30 -0500
Reply-To:     Roger Van Till <rvantill@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Van Till <rvantill@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Stock vs. Alko shocks for 91 vanagon
Comments: To: jeff livingston-carr <jlivingstoncarr@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <601490620602151210w61f7a6f9v5ac4b921ae21b859@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

I love my Alkos on our Westy. Put them on all four corners. Controlled
but not at all harsh.

Roger Van Till
'89 Westy "The Moose Lounge"
'86 GL "Sugaree"
'81 L "CoJack"
www.busesbythebeach.com
http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/rainfly.htm

On Feb 15, 2006, at 3:10 PM, jeff livingston-carr wrote:

> Hello All,
> Some will certainly consider this a "dead horse" topic, and I
> apologize to
> those people in advance.  All others, please read on.
> I have searched the archives for opinions regarding shocks for the
> vanagon,
> and there is definitely a lot of information out there.
>
> I am replacing the shocks on my 1991 MV, as the current ones give the
> van
> the feel of riding one of those horses on a spring in the playground
> (remember those?).  In addition, side winds are terrifying.  Wheels
> are new
> Hankook 195's from busdepot.
>
> I have used KYB's in the past and wasn't very impressed, so those are
> out
> for me.
> I recently spent $500 for Bilstein HD's for my Volvo, and the ride is
> now so
> harsh it is unpleasant to drive around (except at 90 mph on the
> highway,
> which is indeed very pleasant). So HD's are out for me as well.
>
> Right now, I am leaning toward Alko's as they seem to be very well
> liked.  I
> am also considering stock (Boge) or non-HD Bilsteins.  My goal is to
> maximize safety (control) and comfort.  For argument sake, I am not
> concerned about price.  Does anyone have any experience with these
> shocks in
> particular that have not been shared here already?  Would anyone
> recommend
> one over another?
>
> Thank you in advance for your thoughts.     jeff
>