Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

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ruckman101
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Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by ruckman101 » Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:24 pm

Going all out. When my other half is game, I don't question.

I know Konis are gold for a bus, but any groovy perfect fantastic recommends for a Ghia? I've never done shocks before.



thanks,
neal
The slipper has no teeth.

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Amskeptic
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Amskeptic » Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:04 pm

ruckman101 wrote:Going all out. When my other half is game, I don't question.

I know Konis are gold for a bus, but any groovy perfect fantastic recommends for a Ghia? I've never done shocks before.



thanks,
neal
Any shock that works. They are a fairly low-level state of technology. People may complain about soft shocks on their heavy car, or they may complain about stiff ride on their light car, but the Konis . . . are adjustable.
If you are on the Southern California Freeway Washboard circuit, I actually recommend gas filled shocks, because that is the one place where you can foam up the oil in the nicest oil shocks.
I used to offer name brand choices like Koni or Boge or KYB, but I cannot say what today's level of quality is.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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Bleyseng
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Bleyseng » Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:13 pm

I just put oil filled Boge's on my 70 Ghia and it rides ok for what it is....meaning it rides nothing like the 914.
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/

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Amskeptic
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Amskeptic » Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:34 pm

Bleyseng wrote:I just put oil filled Boge's on my 70 Ghia and it rides ok for what it is....meaning it rides nothing like the 914.
If I had to snow rally . . . I would simply take the Ghia, sniff sniff.
If I had to hurtle down an uneven dirt road, why, I believe i would take the . . . Ghia.
If I had to bring the family, well, A Ghia will do for a short trip.
If I had to nap in the car on the way across the country, Ghia.
If I had to sell the car . . . which one is appreciating more?
Colin :flower:
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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ruckman101
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by ruckman101 » Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:48 pm

I would wager the Ghia is appreciating more, but then, owning a Ghia, and not owning a 914, I am biased. Stuck on type 1.

Gretchen Ghia will see little gravel, just the drive in from the pavement to the house. Blacktop windy and freeway.

And with a full set of studded tires, I think she would be the snow choice over Bertha Bus with studs only on the rear.


neal
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Bleyseng
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Bleyseng » Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:32 am

Amskeptic wrote:
Bleyseng wrote:I just put oil filled Boge's on my 70 Ghia and it rides ok for what it is....meaning it rides nothing like the 914.
If I had to snow rally . . . I would simply take the Ghia, sniff sniff. Yes, the Ghia
If I had to hurtle down an uneven dirt road, why, I believe i would take the . . . Ghia. Yes, the Ghia
If I had to bring the family, well, A Ghia will do for a short trip. Ha, there is two of us so the 914! unless its camping then the Westy
If I had to nap in the car on the way across the country, Ghia. The Westy
If I had to sell the car . . . which one is appreciating more? Hmm, the Ghia seems like it.
Colin :flower:
For driving experience, the Ghia is like driving a old bug unless its warm and sunny, the top is down then its incredible! On the freeway, the 914 is the only way to go!
For snow the Westy with LSD is awesome! Yes, its takes a bit to warm up but its nice in the cold weather and even drives great in pouring rain. God, the Ghia is terrible in rain as you sit soo low, roadwash from other cars makes it so you can't see anything as the wipers can't handle it and skinny 165 tires are a joke! and of course the convertible top leaks!
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/

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Westy78
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Westy78 » Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:13 am

You have an LSD in your bus? :scratch:
Chorizo, it's what's for breakfast.

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Bleyseng
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Bleyseng » Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:59 pm

yes, so I can drive those dirt roads to nowhere without problems. No, I had it installed as I was sick of those wheel spinning take off's from a red light on a steep hill when its raining. Totally a typical Seattle problem with all its hills.
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/

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Westy78
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Westy78 » Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:18 pm

Would love to have that on mine. What all was involved to install that in the transaxle?
Chorizo, it's what's for breakfast.

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Amskeptic
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Amskeptic » Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:26 pm

Bleyseng wrote:yes, so I can drive those dirt roads to nowhere without problems. No, I had it installed as I was sick of those wheel spinning take off's from a red light on a steep hill when its raining. Totally a typical Seattle problem with all its hills.
I didn't think wheel spin was a problem with a 3.80 1st and a 4.57 rear axle on top of that, sort of a dump the clutch at idle and putter away.

I need a LSD for the ridiculous gulleys and ruts and moronic "situations" I get in where I lift that poor rear wheel off the ground like a June bug on its back. Then I won't have to do the ebrake trick.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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SlowLane
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by SlowLane » Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:02 pm

Bleyseng wrote:yes, so I can drive those dirt roads to nowhere without problems.
Is this the one you have? http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=

I've been quite curious about this diff, as it's a "torque-sensing" unit like the Torsen diff that came out in the '80s. Not quite the same as a traditional limited-slip diff.

A little on the spendy side, though. Not surprising, considering the vendor.

Oh, getting back to Neal's original question: I've been quite pleased with Bilstein Touring shocks. I've installed them on both my Volvo 850 and on the Westy.
'81 Canadian Westfalia (2.0L, manual), now Californiated

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Bleyseng
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Re: Recommended shocks for '70 Ghia

Post by Bleyseng » Thu Apr 05, 2012 4:53 am

Yes, although I paid $999 for it and its still cheap as it the more modern torque sensing type of LSD without those friction plates like in the Porsche units that are so expensive to replace.
Geoff
77 Sage Green Westy- CS 2.0L-160,000 miles
70 Ghia vert, black, stock 1600SP,- 139,000 miles,
76 914 2.1L-Nepal Orange- 160,000+ miles
http://bleysengaway.blogspot.com/

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