When I bought my van a few years back, it needed shocks.  So I bought some
KYB shocks to save a few bucks...

Since then, my wife complained about the bumps... The ride was a bit stiff
going over bumps, but I though this was normal...

Later I switched to H&R lower springs, ride was stiff, it handled curves much
better, but the wife complained about the bumps...

Did notice that a squeak developed in the door area, could never trace the
source, the ac ducts creaked whenever I went over bumps ... this is normal on
a 15 year old van right...

Well, I changed back to stock springs and still the ride was rough in the
rear ... and the noise...

I changed the rear shocks to some NON gas shocks, the ride was better.  No
more bouncing around in the rear.

I then finally got around to changing the front shocks out to the Boge
NON-gas shock.  There is a sizable difference in the main shaft of the KYB
and the Boge on the front.  The shaft on Boge is about half the size of the
KYB.

Well, after the change, the mysterious squeak disappears unless it is rough
road, much quieter now...

The ride is also much better over bumps, smoother...

The wife is not complaining any more :) about the ride...

If you are looking for new shocks, spend the extra bucks and get the Boge.

As far as the Blisteins, I do not have $400 to test them...

For the handling part add front and rear sway bars.

These shocks are on a street Vanagon that will seldom see off road
conditions.

I have 15" rims and 205x65x15 Mich. Arglis at 40 PSI rear and 30 PSI front.

Robert

Soon I will be rebuilding the rear suspension and adding in my Boge
performance springs...