14 Inch Limiting Straps, Double Woven, Pair

OVERVIEW

When you are pushing your air-cooled Volkswagen to the absolute limit off-road, the last thing you want is for your shocks to act as the primary stop for your suspension travel. These EMPI 14-inch double-woven limiting straps are engineered to prevent catastrophic failure by absorbing the energy of suspension extension before your shocks reach their internal mechanical limits. In high-performance applications like Baja Bugs and heavy sand rails, the weight of the unsprung componentsincluding heavy tires, wheels, and brake assembliescan generate thousands of pounds of force during a jump or high-speed transition. Without a robust set of limit straps, that energy is transferred directly into your shock seals and mounting points, often leading to bent rods, blown seals, or even ripped-off shock mounts. By installing these double-layered straps, you are providing a critical safety net that preserves your expensive damping components and ensures you don''t end up stranded in the dunes with a broken suspension.

What sets these EMPI straps apart is the superior double-woven construction, which offers twice the thickness and significantly higher tensile strength compared to standard single-layer straps. This extra girth is essential for heavier vehicles or extreme long-travel setups where a single strap might stretch too much or snap under extreme load. These 14-inch straps feature heat-treated steel ends with a corrosion-resistant finish, ensuring they can withstand the harsh environments of the desert, woods, or beach. As a master air-cooled specialist, I have seen countless CV joints destroyed because the suspension was allowed to over-extend, causing the axles to bind and snap. These straps allow you to precisely dial in your maximum droop, protecting your drivetrain and suspension components simultaneously. When you buy from Appletree Auto, you are getting a race-proven component that has been a staple in the VW off-road community for decades.

FITMENT

These 14-inch limiting straps are universal for high-performance off-road applications but are most commonly utilized on the following Volkswagen-based vehicles:

• VW Baja Bug: 1950-1979 (Modified with long-travel rear suspension or front beam extensions).
• VW Dune Buggy: All years (Meyer''s Manx style, fiberglass bodies on shortened pans).
• Sand Rails & Tube Chassis Buggies: Custom builds using VW-based transaxles and suspension geometry.
• VW Thing (Type 181): Off-road builds requiring increased ground clearance and travel protection.
• Custom Off-Road Builds: Any vehicle utilizing a 1/2-inch mounting bolt for suspension limiting.

SPECS

• Length: 14 Inches (Measured from center of bolt hole to center of bolt hole).
• Material: High-strength, double-layered heavy-duty nylon webbing.
• End Tabs: 4130 Chromoly steel for maximum shear strength and durability.
• Mounting Hole Size: 1/2 Inch (Standard for off-road shock mounts and clevises).
• Thickness: Double-woven design for 2x the strength of standard straps.
• Color: Classic Black with reinforced stitching.
• Quantity: Sold as a pair (2 straps included).
• Part Number: EMPI 17-2891-0.

PRO TIPS

1. Account for Initial Strap Stretch

One of the most common mistakes I see in the shop is mounting limit straps too "tight" without accounting for material stretch. High-quality nylon webbing will typically stretch approximately one inch for every 12 inches of strap length under the weight of the vehicle''s unsprung mass. For these 14-inch straps, you should expect about 1 to 1.25 inches of total stretch during operation. When you are measuring your mounting points, ensure that the strap stops the suspension at least one inch BEFORE the shock reaches full extension or the CV joints reach their maximum operating angle. This "cushion" ensures that even when the strap is fully loaded and stretched, your mechanical components remain protected.

2. Protect Your CV Joints First

While many enthusiasts install these to save their shocks, the real lifesaver is protecting your CV joints. If you are running 930 or Porsche-style CVs on your air-cooled VW, they have a very specific maximum angle of operation. To set these straps correctly, jack the vehicle up until the CV joints start to bind, then back it off by about 2-3 degrees. Measure that distance and select your strap mounting points based on that measurement (minus the stretch factor mentioned above). Using a limit strap to prevent CV binding is much cheaper than replacing a snapped axle or a shattered CV cage in the middle of a trail ride.

3. Use Adjustable Clevises for Fine Tuning

If your budget allows, I always recommend mounting one end of these 14-inch straps to an adjustable limit strap clevis rather than a fixed bolt. Over time and through hundreds of heat cycles and hard landings, even double-woven straps will settle into their permanent length. An adjustable clevis allows you to "take up the slack" as the straps age without having to drill new holes or relocate your mounting tabs. It also makes the initial installation much easier, as you can bolt everything in and then use the threaded adjuster to perfectly sync the left and right sides of your suspension travel, ensuring your VW handles predictably in the air.