EMPI VW Performance Gas Shock - Lowered - Ball Joint Front End

EMPI's lowered shocks for Type 1 models with ball joint front ends and are sold individually. This gas-filled shock is 11" long in the fully closed position and 15 1/4" at full open. The shock fits 1966 to 1977 Standard Beetle, 1971 to 1979 Super Beetle, 1965 to 1974 Karmann Ghia, and 1973 to 1974 Thing models (with ball joint front end). Lowered shocks provide a different range of travel than stock shocks, which helps to eliminate bottoming out. Gas shocks compress more rapidly than oil-filled shocks, which makes them more responsive to changes in road conditions, providing better contact with the ground and more stable handling. Gas shocks perform better in racing or off-road applications, but tend to have a stiffer ride than the stock oil-filled option.

The lower eyelet has a 12mm (just under 1/2") inner diameter sleeve. The mount on the trailing arm should measure about 11.9mm (just over 7/16"). If the hole is "too small" to fit on the lower mount, then the old shock sleeve has rusted in place and must be removed. Sometimes a pair of vice grips is all it takes, sometimes heat, a chisel or even a cut off wheel have been needed.

Shock Absorber Fitment:

Front
Stock Height - Stock Shock
Lowered with Drop Spindles - Stock Shock
Lowered more than 3 inches with Adjustable Beam - Lowered Shock

Rear
The stock length rear shock absorber will work for nearly all lowered rear applications.