The original question involved a 2 wd van that had been lifted. The syncro rear shock has about 30mm more extension than the stock shock. Both types have close to the same compressed length. If the OP's friend's van had been lifted 1", then it makes perfect sense to install a shock with a 1" longer stroke.

Otherwise the shock will be bottoming out more often. 

Some folk cleave to stock set ups, some folk don't. There is no need to smugly dismiss those who wish to modify their vans, and there is certainly no way that you know what modifications VW engineers would have approved.

alistair

On 2011-12-11, at 7:46 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:

> ---- Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> The shock is the power suspension stop. The Syncro shocks are longer. This
>> increased travel means that when the wheel drops the axle shafts now get
>> over extended and the rear springs can become loose and pop out. Keep to the
>> smooth roads.
> 
> So Dennis, you are saying that we 2WD drivers should use the shocks specified for our equipment, not for the Syncro, especially if we drive on rough roads, right?  Exactly as I suspected.  I definitely do not know more about our vehicles than the engineers who designed them did.  Thanks, mcneely