Date:         Tue, 14 Jun 2022 20:44:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Westy Shock Recommendations
Comments: To: Tom C <thomas.casal@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAPb9TKyabZjj=_YbztuetmaZSU+Eyw8Uk2iWm_UMG8AKkMYPHg@mail.gmail.com>
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I’ll just put in my 2cts

Bilstein 16” Syncro shocks front and rear . Can’t recall the product number. Fronts have movable spring perch, I’ve raised them and added spacers on rear, 19.5” height , usual measurement .

215/75 yoko ats g15 tires.

Stock springs .

Chris at T3 warned me that some of his customers found this shock too harsh.


I’m happy with them. Very controlled. No nose dive. Unladen westy is on harsh side. Not disagreeable to me. But that’s personal preference.

Loaded it’s very nice. Logging road travel much improved over stock boge.

It’s not applicable data for 2wd, but I thought I’d put in a little love for the billies .

Alistair 

> On Jun 14, 2022, at 4:30 AM, Tom C <thomas.casal@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Nose dive is horrible during braking with Bilstein hd’s and the gowesty
> springs. I wanna redo the fronts with koni adjustables asap because of the

> nose dive and maybe schwenk springs eventually. Certain things factory
> original is better, I just don’t think shocks and springs are where you
> wanna go factory if you can afford to upgrade. It’s not a bad job to do
> yourself either it’s one of the first jobs I did myself. Save yourself the
> cost of labor which is always way more than the actual parts.
> 
>> On Tue, Jun 14, 2022 at 12:24 AM Matt Drew <t3vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Howdy all!
>> The time has come to replace the shocks, and I'd love some input.
>> 
>> Details:
>> '88 Westy, 16"
>> GW lift springs installed within the past two years.
>> 2.1L WB
>> 2WD
>> 
>> Part of the challenge here seems to be availability (as is seemingly the
>> case with pretty much every Vanagon part these days).
>> 
>> I'm looking for something that will provide a smoother, less jarring ride

>> as affordably as possible (so no Fox or Billstein).
>> Considering OEM Boge (I hadn't previously considered them until they were

>> recently recommended by Westy Restorations in SLC).
>> 
>> Curious as to anyone's experience and input, and if possible (aside from
>> GW/Vanagain/T3T) also any suppliers.
>> 
>> Thanks in advance!
>> 
>> *Matt*
>> Missoula, MT
>> '88 Westy, *Ragnar LoafBrick*
>>