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what shocks for my baja?
Anthiron - April 11th, 2009 at 01:09 PM

I need to get some new shocks for my baja.

the front is raised about 8cm via cutting and turning the front beam and i am running 195/80/r15 rubber, the front stoppers are cut and to re-create the stock suspension arc.

currently have old stock cofap shocks on the front but am wondering what i should run?

my rear end is swing axle, with long axles, raised at the rear so its level with the front.

currently running cheap adjustable coil overs on the rear but want to run non coil over shocks.

suggestions?

Nicko

matberry - April 11th, 2009 at 06:21 PM

If you got $$ I'd go Bilstien 1st, Koni 2nd, best budget buy would be KYB gas IMO, any of these would be an improvement over Cofap, they have their place, on a std car, but a baja with big wheels needs a lot more shock. If you go Billy's, make sure you get the correct ones for front and rear, a mate of mine had a reputable vw shop recently fit rears to the front in a buggy, front felt like it had bricks for suspension !!!

Anthiron - April 11th, 2009 at 06:34 PM

thanks matt, yeah im thinking KYB probobly. i should have been more specific though with my question.

more after lengths? models? as its not stock. tried and tested combinations on offroaders with similar setups?

matberry - April 11th, 2009 at 06:36 PM

What setup then ???

Anthiron - April 11th, 2009 at 06:45 PM

nothing crazy just whats mentioned in the first post, raised front and rear.

dont know if the stock length shocks would bottom out or act as a limit in travel?

matberry - April 11th, 2009 at 06:57 PM

You must have something as a bumpstop in the front otherwise whatever shock you use will act as a stop and be toast sooner or later if you drive off road. I'd say std length is what you're after, as it's the amount of wheel travel that makes the difference, not the actual ride height. Longer shocks are only used when the travel is increased and then normally the upper shock mounting needs to be repositioned. Loosely speaking, if you increase the travel by two inches, the upper shock mount would be four inches higher, and use a shock also four inches longer at full extension.

Anthiron - April 11th, 2009 at 07:03 PM

excellent. yeah there are modifyed stops on the front end.

youre near me matt, any idea on suppliers to check out? will they be able to look up a part number for a bug or will i need to know?

matberry - April 11th, 2009 at 07:25 PM

Most dub shops stock the KYB's, they'll know part #'s.