I've heard some debate about the HD vs. touring but when I go to bilstein's
site they list 2 parts (one front and one rear).
The part numbers are f4-b46-0820-h0 and f4-b46-0830-h0.  The description
implies heavy duty.  These part numbers match the part numbers on my shocks.
Hope this helps.

-- mark

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Florian Speier
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 4:01 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Bilstein Shock Report - Long

mark,

can you specify if you installed the touring or the HD version of the
bilstein?
thanks
florian

On 5/29/06, Mark A. Kreuzer <markk@ourwesty.com> wrote:
>
> Preface:
>
> My wife and I took an overnight 230 mile shake down cruise in our 85 Westy
> to test the 3 weeks worth of suspension and brake work I completed.  We
> just
> moved to Texas 9 months ago and people warned us about a lot of stuff
> concerning Texas (the heat, bugs, etc) but they neglected to mention the
> wind.  I guess I had heard about the wind but to experience it has been
> something else.
>
>
>
> The background and report:
>
> I drove the van back from Boston in March on Boge shocks.  They might have
> been original equipment but don't know.  I experienced some pretty good
> wind, 20 to 25 mph and blow by from Trucks.  I was always hanging on from
> dear life and did not enjoy those times.
>
> After reading the list, I decided on Bilstein's because of they seemed to
> be
> the right for the kind of in town and highway driving I do.  With 4 new
> Shocks we drove the 230 miles in a 25 to 35 mph cross wind.  Trees and
> bushes were bent over and even the giant flags were really snapped to
> attention.  It was like we were driving a completely different vehicle.  I
> could feel the wind and gusts but as I tightened up and braced for control
> the van didn't really move.  On the way back the wind was even a stronger
> and my wife did have to fight with the van a little but nothing like
> before.
>
> Cornering seems to be better; still no roadster but I doesn't roll over
> nearly as much.
>
> The ride is not as harsh as it was. probably because the Boges were
> completely collapsed.
>
>
>
> About the old shocks:  When I took off the old Boges they we really easy
> to
> compress and had absolutely no rebound.
>
>
>
> I give the Bilstein's a huge thumbs up.  There are probably a lot of other
> good shocks out there but I couldn't be happier with these.  I have no
> idea
> how long they'll last but knowing what the difference feels like I won't
> hesitate to put on new shocks in the future.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -- mark
>
>
>
> 85' Westy - The Kenny Huang - Zetec Inside
>