I have used several of the shocks that you mention.

The Brazilian-made COFAP shocks were awful - good for about 8,000 miles only
on my '84 GL. I was paying $18.00 each for the rears but...

The Bilstein HD shocks were too soft and wallowy for me, so I sold them. If
you think a '68 Thunderbird has a good ride,  you might like them.

The Konis were much too bumpy and hard riding on the jounce part of the
stroke, so I removed them. I didn't like them with the Carat springs or with
the '89 Westy springs.

I went back to my former ALKO shocks, the same ones I have on my '84 and
like them a lot. If they were a tiny bit firmer on rebound I'd reach Vanagon
suspension nirvana.  ;)

IMHO, YMMV, etcetera

On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 4:29 PM, David Vickery <david_vickery@yahoo.com>wrote:

> My rear shocks are leaking (oil residue all around the shock tube) so I am
> assuming it is time to replace them.
>
> What are people recommending?  I am more interested in quality over cheap
> but a good deal is nice to find.  And for what it's worth I put a set of
> Bilstein's on a previous van and I didn't think there was much difference
> from the stock Boge.  I wouldn't rule out getting them again, but what do
> you recommend. I drive highway and dirt roads in a 2wd Westy.
>
> BusDepot sell a "Premium Boge" $90 (European sourced) Anyone tried these,
> are they worth the money?  They cost about the same as Bilsteins.   Other
> suggestions?
> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251513031FHD
>
> Here are some that GoWesty sells.  I thought Meyle was a good brand and
> these are pretty cheap if they are as good as the OEMs.  They are only $29
>
> http://www.gowestyautoparts.com/1987,VOLKSWAGEN,VANAGON-CAMPMOBILE,1286524/Rear-Shock-Absorber/Meyle-Rear-Shock-Absorber,VWW023385/
>
> Boge made in Mexido $50
>
> http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3296&category_id=&category_parent_id=
>
> Exact, original specifications. [Made in Brazil] $30
>
> http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2383&category_id=&category_parent_id=
>
> Thanks
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX - 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Subie - 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27