Coil Over Shocks, Fit King Pin Front & All Rear Type 1 Pair

OVERVIEW

Upgrade your air-cooled Volkswagen''s suspension with this pair of EMPI Adjustable Coil-Over Shocks, designed to provide the perfect balance between ride height control and damping performance. Whether you are dealing with sagging rear torsion bars on a classic Beetle or looking to stiffen up the front end of a King Pin-equipped woods buggy, these shocks offer a versatile solution. The threaded shock body allows you to fine-tune the spring preload, giving you the ability to compensate for heavy engine loads or to simply level out your ride. Finished in a high-luster chrome, these shocks don''t just perform exceptionally wellthey also add a custom, show-ready look to your chassis that stands out in any engine bay or wheel well.

Engineering for the rugged demands of both street and off-road environments, these coil-overs serve as a "helper" spring system to assist your existing torsion bars. By shifting some of the load to the coil springs, you reduce the stress on your internal torsion leaves, which is especially critical for high-performance builds or vehicles carrying extra gear. The universal nature of these shocks means they are a staple for custom fabricators building dune buggies, sand rails, and Baja Bugs. With a generous travel range and a robust build quality, these EMPI shocks ensure that your Type 1 remains planted and predictable, whether you''re cruising the local strip or navigating uneven terrain at the dunes.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: All years with King Pin front ends (Front Fitment).
• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: All years with Swing Axle or IRS rear suspension (Rear Fitment).
• Volkswagen Type 1 Karmann Ghia: All years with King Pin front ends (Front Fitment).
• Volkswagen Type 1 Karmann Ghia: All years with Swing Axle or IRS (Rear Fitment).
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: Any custom chassis utilizing Type 1 King Pin front beams or Type 1 rear transaxle mounts.
• VW Thing (Type 181): Rear fitment applications.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: EMPI
• Part Number: 00-9570-8
• Extended Length: 16-3/4 inches (Eye-to-Eye)
• Compressed Length: 11-1/4 inches (Eye-to-Eye)
• Shock Stroke: 5-1/2 inches
• Finish: Triple-plated Chrome body and springs
• Spring Type: Adjustable Preload Coil Spring
• Mounting Style: Eyelet-to-Eyelet
• Quantity: Sold as a Pair (2 Shocks)

PRO TIPS

1. Account for Bushing Clearances

Since these are universal-style coil-over shocks, the metal sleeves inside the rubber eyelet bushings may differ slightly from your specific mounting bolt diameter. Always test-fit your mounting bolts through the shock eyelets before beginning the full installation. If the sleeve is too narrow, you may need to press out the sleeve and reuse your original hardware or drill the sleeve slightly. Conversely, if there is excess play, using a shim or a specific shoulder bolt is vital to prevent "clunking" sounds during suspension travel. Proper torque on the mounting bolts is essential to ensure the shock pivots on the bushing rather than the bolt itself.

2. Balancing Preload for Ride Quality

A common mistake is over-tightening the adjustment collars to achieve maximum lift. While these shocks are excellent for correcting sag, cranking the springs too tight will result in a very stiff, "bouncy" ride because the spring becomes too rigid for the shock''s internal valving to dampen effectively. For the best results, adjust the collars just enough to support the vehicle at your desired height while still allowing for some initial "sag" when the car is at rest. This ensures the suspension can still "droop" into potholes or dips, maintaining tire contact with the road and providing a much smoother driving experience.

3. Maintain Those Threads

Because these shocks are often exposed to the elementsespecially on off-road buggies or daily driven Beetlesthe threaded portion of the shock body can accumulate road grime, salt, or dirt. Before attempting to adjust your ride height after the shocks have been installed for a while, thoroughly clean the threads with a wire brush and apply a small amount of penetrating oil or anti-seize. This prevents the aluminum or steel adjustment collars from galling or seizing against the shock body. Keeping the threads clean ensures that you can continue to fine-tune your suspension for years to come without needing to remove the shocks from the vehicle.