cant take credit for all of it, its cut n pasted off beeoneoneoh.

Fantastic reply mate, great info. I'll start looking into the Astra shocks.

mine are getting reset to 3" lower, old mate reckons thats the lowest you can go without flattening the springs and them actually doing what they are meant to do. Will get the rest of the distance with solid steel blocks which will mean you can have longer shocks if you're picking up what im putting down.

These Astra shocks sound like the hot tip

"Rear
So for the rear I’ve gone through and found two good options for the B120 and VB110. The truck and van use a shock with eyes on both ends unlike the coupes and sedans…. so obviously don’t go getting these if you don’t have a truck or a van.

A) Munroe “Original” – #23908
Holden Astra ’02-’04 rear

B) Munroe GT Gas – #150048
Type 1 & 3 Beetle rear

I have chosen to use the hydraulic Holden Astra shock in my truck (at least its not an OEM Holden part) as it is much stiffer than the Munroe gas shock for the beetle. Running low bump stop clearances, I’m not keen for a soft rear bumping around. Previously I was running some OLD and fittingly completely worn out beetle shocks in my truck. They are a good size but obviously were worn to death.

NOTE: Push the metal tube out from the bushing of the eyes or push the whole lot out and use standard 1200 shock bushings.

As far as the sizing/measurements. I will have to get back to you on the extended lengths but both go down to about 250mm and extend to about 500 or so. Lots of travel and can go very small, just what I like.

So I hope that helps.

- Chris"

Well dropped off the leafs to get reset, will be 5 inch lower than stock.
See how we go with the shocks that are in there.

Rear: You only need shorter-stroke shocks if the originals are riding fully compressed.

With reset leaves, would short-stroke shocks really help? Or just cause the tyres to rub when going over bumps?

If you cut down the ute spring bumpers, then you *may* need shocks with shorter compression length. But maybe not, has anyone actually measured it?

Front: see Strut Insert Part Numbers under "VW" sections

I'm doing the exact same thing to my 1200 Ute at the moment. What year rabbit shocks? Much fiddling to fit? I'm getting my leafs reset this week too so I'm keen to find a pair for the rear.

yeah already got those for the front.

after something for the rear

Vw rabbit shocks are most common for 1200/120y struts about 65mm shorter than stock

Thanks jacob! But there isnt really an option there other than 1 but the shock is really soft.

anything else?