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Keeping this 1971 type 181 stock, what shocks are used for it? The rest of the suspension is iron clan stuff; where the shocks unique to 181 only, or did it share ones used on other VW's?

If so, what do I order/get? The ones now are original, and certainly outlived their 34 year service.

Bucko wrote:Keeping this 1971 type 181 stock, what shocks are used for it? The rest of the suspension is iron clan stuff; where the shocks unique to 181 only, or did it share ones used on other VW's?

If so, what do I order/get? The ones now are original, and certainly outlived their 34 year service.

This is one of those questions that if asked of a dozen people brings a dozen different answers. I run Bilsteins. Many suppliers recommend the KYB GR-2 as a replacement for the originals, which were VW re-branded I believe.

The front and rear shock on a factory Thing were Thing only parts. They were oil shocks that are totall outdated. VW decades ago replaced them with the standard KYB GR-2 for more than past 25 years. The original shocks are a memory of past outmoded technology. There are a total of 4 shocks and 4 additional front rubber parts that are Thing only. I have part numbers and pictures of the original parts but would advise against using any such old world garbage. There are far too many low to high cost solutions to the shock absorbsion solution. I put Bilstein shocks on all the cars and trucks I own if I can afford it at the time of replacement. Shocks are not really part of a stock resto unless you are going for points at a very informed car show that demands exact original off the show room parts. A Thing that was 2 years old in 75 would not have had a shock replacement using "OEM" shocks. Even back then there were bettter options. K-mann

k-mann,

i would put NOS thing shocks on MY car before anything else. for one thing, they will fit perfectly without any modifications. they will also ride very well. gas shocks are very stiff for a street car.

gr-2 is fine, but nowhere close to the quality of an original boge VW shock. bilstein are excellent, but gas, and stiff. you might convince me to put adjustable koni or spax on there, but neither of them will actually FIT precicely on the lower front mount, the metal sleeve in the lower bush is too short. you can make this work of course, but i just wanted to make a conuterpoint that sometimes original parts are the best solution for some people. a street driven only car will work very well with stock parts, as long as you get original german ones. i am not fond of the black cofap shocks that look like the oe boge ones.

O.K. I'll bite....where would a person find NOS stock shocks for a type 181, and without having to put a second mortgage on the house to buy them? And will they last?

Also, the darn "Thing" is already stiff, so using none stock shouldn't make that much of a difference.....???

I'm not an expert here, so I'm just asking to learn.

Bucko wrote:O.K. I'll bite....where would a person find NOS stock shocks for a type 181, and without having to put a second mortgage on the house to buy them? And will they last?

Also, the darn "Thing" is already stiff, so using none stock shouldn't make that much of a difference.....???

I'm not an expert here, so I'm just asking to learn.

Don't worry -- I'm right here behind you with an even worse question.

Since I'm sure my shocks will need replacement sooner or later, is there anything out there that would fit well AND be a little "squishier"? Nearly all my driving is in the city anyway.

Thanks,
- Scott

P.S. The PO ran his tires with really low pressure to smooth out the ride.

I replaced all four on my 73 Thing with GR2's from Mike Basso. Perfect fit and comfortable shocks. Reasonable price also. BTW I had to hacksaw off the OE fronts with all the extra pieces. The Thing shop can unload a set of those...if you have lots of money.

The soft shock point is well taken. Since i live on back country roads, I alwasy work toward a stiffer suspension. Even out paved roads are rough. Then I travel down to the Baja where the roads are also rough.

I seem to have forgotten that a soft suspension would be of any benefit. With that said, Boge and Cofap are very commonly available. Although Mike Basso offers a good price for the KYB gas shock choice. As i stated earlier has beenthe replacement shock of choice on a Thing for years.


Two places to get Boge or Cofap shocks for an easy low price is

www.diypartscatalog.com

They even list thing specific shocks there..

http://www.diypartscatalog.com/epcvsoap ... ientid=diy


VWA010905
BOGE Rear Shock Absorber
28.73

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VWA010906
COFAP Rear Shock Absorber
21.23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Or go to:

http://catalog.bmaparts.com/epcvsoapimc ... d=bmaparts


VWA010846
BOGE Front Shock Absorber
2 Available 43.90 0.00 28.14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VWA010847
COFAP Front Shock Absorber
2 Available 43.90 0.00 21.63


You can also check out drivewire.com at

http://www.drivewire.com/volkswagenpart ... orber.html

The best price around on Bilsteins for a Thing is at www.eshocks.com

The best price around on GR-2 or Gas-A-Just is Mike Basso

K-mann