Hi Ri -

I've experienced cut springs, H&R's, stock, BOGE, Bilstiens, but not the
KONI. I have an H&R/Bilstein combo on my BMW. I like the H&R products a ton,
but not on the van. I prefer the "schoolbus" ride on the vanagon. I don't
mind the underpowered motor either.

Am I afraid of change? yeah sure, hate that stuff.

speed kills,
the danimal
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ri" <ri@RASAPRABHU.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 11:08 AM
Subject: Re: Bilstein Shocks Vs. Stock

> Keep it dead-ass stock? Are you afraid of change?
>
> We did H&R Springs and bilsteins on our Westiico... and it is SWEET.
Drives
> and handles like a car, not a schoolbus.
>
> Have you personally tried suspension modifications Dan? That's a pretty
> strong opinion if one hasn't.......
>
>
> Ri
>
>
> At 07:23 AM 7/25/2003, you wrote:
> >If it's not stock, it ain't ......
> >
> >Keep it dead-ass stock. Put another way, don't override the factory
> >engineers.
> >
> >Dan
> >91 GL
> >83 320i
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "The Bus Depot" <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
> >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 7:13 AM
> >Subject: Re: Bilstein Shocks Vs. Stock
> >
> >
> > > > How much an improvement over stock do the Bilstein
> > > > shocks make on the 2WD Vanagon?  Are they worth the money?
> > >
> > > > I had KYB's for 5 years and the ride was always rough. The
> > > > stock gave a softer ride. The Bilsteins ended the porpoising
> > > > effect I had and the comfort and stability has improved.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Remember, you now have four options (at least from us):
> > > KYB, Boge, Bilstein, and Al-ko.
> > > A copy of my prior post on the Al-ko's is below. (It also touches on
the
> > > KYB/Boge/Bilstein differences.)
> >
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > This seems a goodf time to announce that I now have a new shock
absorber
> > > offering from Europe, for all 2 wheel drive Vanagons, that may bridge
> > > the gap between the affordable yet slightly hard-riding KYB's, and the
> > > stock but slightly mushy Boges, without draining the wallet to the
tune
> > > of Bilstein. A good middle ground, in other words.
> > >
> > > These TUV-approved shocks, from Al-ko Suspension A.G, are oil-filled,
so
> > > they won't ride quite as hard as the KYB's.  They are also priced
about
> > > the same as the stock Boge oil-filled shocks. But they are very
> > > noticably heavier duty, with significantly larger pistons than the
other
> > > two.  I have not run them on my own Vanagon yet (as my shocks are
still
> > > relatively new), but they have been through extensive field testing by
> > > Just Kampers in the U.K., who has been selling them for a couple of
> > > years now to excellent customer response. It was on the basis of their
> > > recommendation that I imported them. For not too much more than KYB
(and
> > > half the price of Bilstein), you get a smoother ride than a KYB yet
> > > better handling than a typical oil-filled shock, and robust
> > > construction. And, for those who care about such things, they are
still
> > > European made, whereas Boge has been moving more and more of their
> > > production to Mexico (and KYB is, of course, Japanese). Might be worth
> > > considering if you don't have the means for the Bilsteins but would
like
> > > an upgrade to the more common KYB and Boge fare.
> > >
> > > 20 sets in stock now. No more for a couple of months when they're
gone.
> > > Links:
> > > Front: http://www.busdepot.com/busdepot/details.jsp?partnumber=22321
> > > Rear: http://www.busdepot.com/busdepot/details.jsp?partnumber=22322
> > >
> > > Don't forget to enter your listmember discount code (list1e) on the
> > > "view cart" page just prior to checkout, for an additional 5% savings.
> > >
> > > - Ron Salmon
> > >   The Bus Depot, Inc.
> > >   www.busdepot.com
> > >   (215)  234-VWVW
> > >
> > > _____________________________________________
> > > Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT