I'm aware that some have abandoned the TD rear suspension complication by merely installing shocks. However, I can't find any evidence of this per the 'search' function.

I have a 1985 TD that I'm ready to just put rear shocks on. Anybody done this?

Thanks

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Lots in here about the SLS (search on that, hydropneumatic or self leveling). And, I recall that there was one forumite who made the jump to some sort of shock/spring setup. FWIW, leathermang has an old 300TD parts car that someone has retrofitted with Gabriel (I think) shocks. But, it's not a runner so there's no telling what kind of ride it had.

My opinion is that the best solution overall is to repair the SLS.

Nevertheless, here's some threads:
SLS 1
SLS 2

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I gotta second Leo on repairing the SLS as best solution for the long run. Both my wagons work fine after a bit of time in the shop and maint. by me.

Hmmm: I can't find my thread from April/May. I ripped out my system, sold the parts and bought a coil-over shock kit from Strutmasters.com. It's their MBZ123 Kit $299 delivered. The used parts sold for $325...

A bit of a pain to install, but so far I am happy. found the thread.....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=93639

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Over 21 years I owned several:
w108
w110
w111
w115
w116
w123
w124
w126
w212

Benzcrusher your thread seems to just end- with no full report as to the usefulness of the kit you installed. How was it to install and now that you 've had some time on it - do you like it?

It wasn't all that fun to install, the "kit" does not come with any instruction or hardware, just the shocks as seen in the pics. To install it I had to drill the top mount to fit the new shock shaft and I had to jack the car way up to get enough clearance to install the extended shock. I then had to use a jack to compress the shock at the same time align the bolt holes (trial and error, mucho fustration) I think the first side took 6 hours and the other side took 2 hours..... I still need to cut the top of the shafts off, above the nut, so that the trim panel can go back on..

The car is a restoration project, I've only driven it a few hundred miles... I drive it once a week when I mow the lawn.
I have felt it bottom out once while I was driving in the back yard, the lawn is sloped and terraced not exactly highway conditions.

I did this conversion mainly because I replaced the car's blown motor with a non-TD motor, that opened up the whole what do I do with the rear suspension question....

__________________
Over 21 years I owned several:
w108
w110
w111
w115
w116
w123
w124
w126
w212