I agree.  Seems like wheels and shocks all fall into the same over-promoted
category.  I replaced Boge OEM front shocks on my Westy with Bilstein HD
shocks.  And yes it makes a difference on forest roads, but nothing like
what people say.  My Boge it turns out lasted 15 years and still seemed fine
when I took them out.  I was so under impressed by the difference in the
front shocks that I haven't replaced the rears yet.

>From: jake beaulieu <jbeaulie@ND.EDU>
>Reply-To: jake beaulieu <jbeaulie@ND.EDU>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Front vs Rear Shock Absorbers
>Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 11:32:43 -0500
>
>About a year ago I replaced the rear shocks on my 1982 Westy with a new set
>of BOGEs.  I am not sure what brand the old ones were, but they were
>totally
>worn out with barely any resistance left.  I can honestly say that I
>noticed
>absolutely no difference in the ride.
>
>I still need to replace the front shocks and I am wondering what kind of a
>difference it will make it.  Do the front shocks tend to have a greater
>impact on the ride than the rears?
>
>Jake