According to a post I found on vwvortex.com the VW bilstein strut inserts are 1.5 inches in diameter. Now that we've got that on the record, what is the inside diameter of our strut tubes?

Well the rabbit is only a bit heavier on the front wheels, (My autocross rabbit weighs about 1700 pounds, but it does have more weight bias in the front than 1200.) The bilstein heavy duty struts (not the sports) would probably be fine for street use. The way the valving self adjusts in bilsteins makes for a MUCH more comfortable ride than with Koni's.
It looks like I'm going to be curious about this until there is definitive proof they won't fit. It doesn't seem like anyone has actually tried this. If the VW KYB's fit, it's a reasonable to believe these COULD fit as well. if they do, it could solve alot of us American's suspension problems..

Hey,Sundat1200 try Monty @ Bits and Pieces.(562)420-3557 he's in SoCal and he supplies all us Datsun racers. He is a Koni distributor. Larry.

those won't fit the struts due to the larger diameter tube, and they're prolly not the right valving for a street 1200 anyway

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I found this on another thread. I know the VW jetta/rabbit bilstein sport inserts are smaller in diameter than the Koni's for the rabbit (BMW 2002 people do this as well, that's how I know). I'm very curious to know if the VW rabbit bilsteins would fit, since they might be the easiest way to fit a good quality strut insert.

tom what are you running for front brakes?

Matt mind you on the Koni's I'm talking to folks who do Formula Atlantics. So I did a quick check on what Koni still offers...............doesn't sound cheap but if you send them a strut they can make up a insert or wet liner.

As for KYB's I will ask my parts manager buddy and see what really is availible. He does a lot of odd ball vintage stuff.............maybe we can find a source.

Never noticed the monroe/gabrials raisng the car but of course that was 20 years ago when we used them.

Tom

ok, that's what they told you

gabriels is the worse case. mediocre performance and lift the car up an inch

I was in my local Foriegn car parts place a few months back and the parts manager whom I've know for years checked and said he could get them..........it would take a while so I assume he's getting them from overseas somewhere.

Last time I talked to a Koni guy trackside was pretty much the same thing.....that was 6 months ago.

Worst case use the Gabriels..............we used them for the first 2 years the coupe was raced.

Tom

tom, i'm not so sure about your usa availability info

koni & kyb inserts still available new for the front? that i'd love to see ...

kyb still makes front inserts, but just doesn't sell them in america, but maybee one of the aussie or kiwi members can hook daniel up?