73 front shock replace

radioman · Post by **radioman** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:18 pm

Need new front shocks on my 73 Thing.

Having trouble finding "thing" shocks at fair price from my parts dealer. Are there Beetle or Ghia shocks that will be replace my front Thing shocks properly? Need simple, OEM type, regular, not gas, not coil.....just normal shocks. If so please give me the modeland year for replacement. Bill bblide@earthlink.net

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:08 pm

The thing uses beetle/Ghia shocks front and rear. Here is a link to So Cal Imports but any VW supplier will stock them. Standard hydraulic or GR2 will work for you. Good luck. Bob Ingman
http://www.socalautoparts.com/HotVWs_Ad ... d_p07.html

radioman · Post by **radioman** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 1:28 pm

Thanks again Bob!

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 11:35 am

If you want to see a complete list/line of shocks for your Thing log on to www.eshocks.com The web page lists all kinds of info about what shock does what. Bob is corrrect So Cal has the best prices on most stuff. They do have a $25 min order requirement. I have had great luck finding the shocks I want by model number and them finding them on ebay (new) or by doing a general search for the exact model using yahoo. I buy all of my vehicle shocks online. I have an embarrassing inventory of vehicles most run bilsteins but on daily drivers I sometime go with the high end Monroe Magnum gas shock. I bought a set of rear gas and front gas struts for my 4X4 Turbo GL-10 86 Subaru off ebay new for $40 (four shock) That is cheap and they are very HD. I drive this car daily on nasty dirt roads with no troubles. Bob is also correct that the GR-2 is the standard quality replacement shock. K-mann

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 12:45 pm

Here are the part numbers for Bilstein Shocks for a stock Thing

Make: VOLKSWAGEN
Model: Type 181 - Thing (Ball joint front) (CV axle rear - IRS)
Year: 8/67-77
Blank: HD
Front: B46-0620
Footnote1: These shocks must be used with original VW upper mount assembly.
Rear: B46-0034

K-mann

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 11:40 pm

Kubelmann wrote:Here are the part numbers for Bilstein Shocks for a stock Thing

Make: VOLKSWAGEN
Model: Type 181 - Thing (Ball joint front) (CV axle rear - IRS)
Year: 8/67-77
Blank: HD
Front: B46-0620
Footnote1: These shocks must be used with original VW upper mount assembly.
Rear: B46-0034

K-mann

Mann, arent those the same part # rear shocks you bought from Jaime. There is your problem right there. They are stock height/length shocks. You were telling us they were too short, werent you? Did you call McKenzies about exchanging them?

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:47 am

Dear (Not so) Dumb Guy,

You are correct.. I ran through tons of old emails today about this exact issue. The front shocks I got from Jaime are 6100 series (B46 0493) and when I get the hook and peg installed I will be ok (thanks to you) When I first put up the 944 set up the only way I got the shocks on was to jack the arm up with the car on the ground. Once in the shop on the lift it was a pain and a half to even get the shocks free. Then when I loaded the torsions to 25 degrees, we put over 800 lbs on and there was no way it would work. So now I have a new pair of groovy Bilstein BN46 0034 that I need to sell so I can afford to fix my issue. I am now on the plan to cut the bottom brackets and to a "real" rear shock set up. Shocks above the arm through the body and mountd to the roll cage. I am looking at the new Bilstein 5150 self contained cartridge shocks. Some things never change... One step forward.. two steps back... I used to really like to just prerun/race or drive and let others deal with the car. With Herr-K I am really getting into the frustration of messing stuff up and solving the issue. What can I say.. This car is really going to be special if I ever get a chance to take a drive.. As I enter the home (supposedly) stretch, each shop day I come up with more issues created than I solve. But then I ain't doing no hobby shop pretty boy resto. I am creating certain parts that perhaps have not been tried before. It aint like dropping it off and having a Wrights front end slammed on. K-mann

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Thu Nov 27, 2003 1:12 am

Fact One: are the BN46 0034 new (yes)

Fact Two: Would MacKenzies exchange them (NO)

Fact Three: Am I jacked (yea)

Question One: Since you are right there and have personal contacts do you want to check this out? ( I hope so)

If I call as an out of town weirdo, I know how that comes down... K-mann