I'm just wondering why you didn't get the Gabriel ones from Bus Depot for the rear as well? The have them for the same price as the front. 

Ed

> Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:33:56 -0800
> From: dhanson928@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: New shocks..me like
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
>   84 5sp low-roof with most of a westie interior and an inline Jetta 2.0
> liter motor.  Running on 14" steel wheels and 205-70 Nokian M+S tires.
> 
>   I recently got some Gabriel front shocks from Bus Depot.  Inexpensive.
>  Just $22.95 each, plus the shipping.  Man!  What a difference in how my van
> behaves.  The shocks I removed, black bodies without any branding that I
> could see, they didn't feel especially worn out, but I'd noticed that on
> uneven roads the van seemed a bit 'tippy', side to side, and it's front
> seemed to lift a little under acceleration.  So I got those inexpensive
> shocks from Ron and stuck em in..(took about 45mins only)   Good results.
> And it didn't bust my budget.
> 
>    So this morning I also ordered some Monroe LT gas shocks (for the rear).
>   Advance Auto Parts..2 for $43 with a lifetime replacement guarantee.  I
> have some KYBs on the van's rear end right now...they feel like bricks, but
> the van still sways some back there.  If the Monroes work as well as the
> Gabriels...I shall be ready for the Nuremberg Ring racetrack for under $100
> for all four wheels...Actually, I am getting ready to escape the crappy
> Northwest US winter wet weather and head down south for my annual (Mexican)
> dental checkup and some bicycle fun...
> 
>    Since my Vanagon is not my 'gold-plater' hobby vehicle,  I am pretty
> happy about not spending the $125 per wheel for fancy German shocks.  I am
> not dissin' those who have...I am just passing on that my van works just
> great now after changing the front end onto relatively inexpensive shocks.
>  I'll report back after the new rear shocks get some highway miles
> (estimating about 3000 for this winter sojourn, which, according to my math,
> I can pay for with ease from the money I saved by selecting less expensive
> shocks)
> 
>    Don Hanson