To add one more review of the Monroe Gas-Magnum shocks, last month I put a
full set all around in my 1991 GL.  I was running KYB's in the back and
Bilsteins in the front (long story).  The difference is pretty noticeable.
This past Friday night I had a full van full of folks (8 + me) as someone
had a vehicle pass to enter a local xmas light show.  The unsolicited
reviews were very positive.

Don's "stage coach" description pertaining to the KYB's is spot on.  I will
say the $138.20 for the full set was money well spent...as always, YMMV...

Jim
Wilmington, NC

On Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

>  Not long ago I posted, reporting having installed some Gabriel gas front
> shocks onto my low roof, most of the Westie interior, 84 5sp Inline VW gas
> motored van.  The shocks were sourced from Bus Depot,  $44.90 for the
> pair...I forgot Ron gives a discount to list members, but these shocks
> seemed an extra- good deal anyway.  They're a substantial improvement over
> the black-bodied (couldn't find a brand) ones I took off, even though those
> older ones still 'felt' fully functional when I flexed them on my
> workbench.
>
>  I am running some Hakkapelitta 1    205-70 R-14 M+S tires on all four
> corners of the van, inflated to 44fr and 41r.
>
>  One trusted lister mentioned he'd been using Monroes on his adventure
> wagon van, so when I saw an advertisement from Advance Auto for free
> shipping (we don't have a store around here) I got a pair of those sent out
> for the rear of my van.   Gas-Matic light truck, with a Limited Lifetime
> Replacement warranty...for just $21.99...  I replaced  KYB ones with the
> Monroes on the rear.  So for under $100,  I made an excellent improvement
> to
> my van's drive ability... the cost of a couple of tanks of gas only!
>
>  Changing the rears was not so noticeable at high speed highway driving as
> when I did the fronts, but I have noticed that the rear no longer feels
> like
> a stagecoach or an unloaded one ton dually truck when I drive on rougher
> roads at slower speeds...or on my gravel driveway.  Those KYBs felt and
> sounded like someone was under there whacking the wheels with a 4x4, over
> even small bumps.
>
>   Of interest...the rear suspension on the Vanagon doesn't seem to have
> much "suspension" to it, anyhow.  I notice when lifting the rear with a
> floor jack on the stamped out trailing arm...that flat spot where the CV
> joint lives...the wheel doesn't compress much before the van comes off the
> ground.  Or when you lift off the jack point near the rear, the wheel
> doesn't "droop" much either.   Well, I forgot to cut off one of the Monroe
> shock 'retaining strap' a piece of plastic banding that holds the shock
> slightly compressed against the gas pressure during shipping.  I mounted
> the
> shocks and simply forgot that  strap...on one side only...I drove around
> for
> two days before I noticed...and the plastic strap was still intact....So
> obviously the rear suspension doesn't travel (extension) very much....I cut
> off that tether and the van did rise up about 1/2" on that corner....
>
>  Gotta love our old vans.   The stuff They put up with from us clutzy
> owners.
>
>   Another observation:   My van is working so nicely right now, it's a real
> pleasure.  Yesterday I had to go to town (about 30 miles round trip) on a
> nasty cold rainy day.  In my yard was my van and my S.O.'s Subaru.. side by
> side, both gassed up and pointing down the driveway.  My SO is off to the
> desert and left me the Subie for use as I choose, but I chose the take the
> Vanagon to town...  20-XX Subaru, automatic, new tires,good heater, auto
> tranny, AWD, fancy little unit.  I went out the door fully intending to
> 'take advantage' of having the use of her Subie....but I just went...."I
> like driving my Vanagon better, don't need that steenkin Subaru..."...
>   Don Hanson
>