GoWesty likes the Bilstein, and their newsletter this month
(http://www.gowesty.com/newsletter.php?newsletter_id=72&hash=664b488f434f257
b86a7aef693964e6e)  says they have worked with Bilstein to make a custom set
for the Vanagon Westy. Cost an arm and a leg, but you can always go back to
the stock Boge/Sachs if you want cheap(er).  Have you adjusted the Koni's
down at all?   Try lightening up the front shocks.  It will never ride over
those potholes like your front-heavy Mercedes though!

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David M
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2012 12:47 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Shocks recommendations?

The suspension on my Vanagon is brutal.
It has KYB shocks, the adjustable kind.
They are about 15 years old but not that great a mileage.
Is there anything better that wont cost an arm and a leg?

There is a road near me that has 4 or 5 'dips' to drain water from a field
to drains on the opposite side of the pavement.
My Mercedes sails over them with teutonic panache.
The Vanagon lurches over them with a jaw jarring bump and my head almost
hits the roof for each one.

-David (1987 Wolfsburg GL, 1984 Mercedes 230e)