> KYB's use cheaper materials and an inferior design.
> This is why you can buy them for $25 each down here.  Wholesale I think
> they're about $12-15.

The Bilstien is probably a better shock than the KYB, but at about 4x the
price it's not for everybody.  The KYB is widely considered to be the
"affordable" shock of choice for the Vanagon. I sell dozens of sets a month,
and have NEVER had a single complaint about their performance.  I use them
myself on my '89 Westy, and prior to that on my '77 Westy, because frankly
the Bilstiens (which I also sell) are too rich for my blood.  I think
they're better than the original-equipment Boge shocks, for much less money,
and with a lifetime warranty. They do stiffen up the suspension slightly,
which improves handling on curves, etc., but I have never found the ride
objectionably stiff; just slightly better controlled. I have only had two
warranty claims on KYB's (one leaked; the other was in a rust-prone area and
eventually rusted through), and had no difficulty at all in getting KYB to
honor their lifetime warranty.  So if you have the bucks, buy the Bilstien.
But if you can't afford them, I personally wouldn't hesitate to recommend
the KYB's as a good overall performer and a cut above the Monroes, etc.
typically sold by auto parts chains for about the same price.

By the way, regarding a "wholesale" cost of $12-15, this person clearly has
no factual basis for his statement.  Take it from someone who knows. I buy
KYB's in very large quantity, and pay around $20 each for them (and sell
them for about $6 more, at $26.95).  Smaller auto parts stores, which buy
them in smaller quantities, pay over $25 for them.  Even my wholesale
supplier, who literally buys truckloads of them at a time, can't get them
for $12-15.  Not that there aren't some auto parts that are sold for 100%
markup or more; FLAPS in particular regularly charge that kind of markup on
specialized parts that aren't discretionary purchases.  For example, when
you walk into an auto parts store and need a master cylinder, the odds are
you need it right away and will pay whatever they ask, so they make their
money on you.  But promotional items like shocks, brake pads, tune up parts,
filters, etc. are typically sold at a lower markup due to their competitive
nature.

- Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com
 (215) 234-VWVW