Date:         Mon, 17 May 2010 18:59:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Bilstein HD shock report
In-Reply-To:  <w2k71d9cdf91005051749qd9dac943za7693676e1151e68@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Interesting... So how are they on rough roads compared to the HDs?

On the weekend we finally drove some distance with the new HDs, and my
impressions are improving. They are definitely more comfortable than KYBs,
especially on broken pavement, and cornering feels better as well. Nose dive
is better controlled and less prone to bottom out on big dips, but still
more than I'd like. The KYBs felt a bit like a 1-ton truck with no load in
it - too harsh. We drove from the Island to Abbotsford and back, and the
usual crosswinds along hwy10 seemed to have less affect on the van.

ps: If you were one of the several Westies on the 7pm Tsawassen - Swartz Bay
ferry last night, we were the white one that barely made it... but we got an
awesome view of the sunset as the last vehicle on the upper deck! We sat in
the rear of the van with the hatch up and enjoyed the view! :-)

On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 5:49 PM, Jake de Villiers <
crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:

> I just removed the Bilstein HD shocks on the front of Dixie and replaced
> them with the AL-KO shocks that were on there originally.
>
> Much, much better. Less dive under braking, less float on rises, more
> responsive in transitions.
>
> Anybody looking for a pair of Bilstein HD B-46 shocks at a discount?  ;)
>
> On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 8:41 AM, Jake de Villiers <
> crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On the shock it says
> >
> > 2828
> > 28418045
> >
> > I thought Ron carried these at the Bus Depot but this morning I only see
> > the rears listed...
> >
> >
> > On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 6:34 AM, Jamie Fitterer <fittdog8848@hotmail.com
> >wrote:
> >
> >>  You have a part number on those Al-kos?
> >>
> >> > Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 13:32:38 -0700
> >> > From: crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM
> >> > Subject: Re: Bilstein HD shock report
> >> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Hmm - I don't really care for the non-compliance of the KYB shocks -
> too
> >> > much gas pressure but...
> >> >
> >> > I did put a pair of Bilstein HDs on the front and find them much
> softer
> >> than
> >> > the ~20,000 mile Alkos that I removed. I'll be re-installing the Alkos
> >> when
> >> > I have the time as they control the suspension much better.
> >> >
> >> > Jake
> >> >
> >> > On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 1:05 PM, James V <chimivee@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > > Bilstein HDs are good shocks, but were too soft for my liking on my
> >> > > 2WD Westy. I expected them to be significantly stiffer than stock or
> >> > > Bilstein TC, but noticed little difference. I actually prefer the
> firm
> >> > > ride of low-buck KYBs for this application. They are definitely more
> >> > > harsh over bumps and don't control rebound as well on big dips. But
> >> > > that is a very small portion of my driving, and I like the firmer
> >> > > characteristics of the KYBs 95% of the time - at least for on-road
> >> > > driving. But most would disagree.
> >> > >
> >> > > James V
> >> > > 86 Syncro Westy, etc.
> >> > >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Jake
> >> >
> >> > 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> >> > 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
> >> >
> >> > Crescent Beach, BC
> >> >
> >> > www.thebassspa.com
> >> > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> >> > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jake
> >
> > 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> > 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
> >
> > Crescent Beach, BC
> >
> > www.thebassspa.com
> > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Jake
>
> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
>
> Crescent Beach, BC
>
> www.thebassspa.com
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>



--
Shawn Wright