which struts and shocks will fit?
 

Has anyone ever seen/compiled a list of which strut inserts will physically fit in a SB housing? also what rear shocks will bolt up, accepting that the valving could be different? Any help would be very much appreciated!!

The fitment of shock inserts into the strut housing is not the problem more than what will bolt to the strut bearing that mounts to the body. Anyhoot, there is no reason to look into this too much. Years of experience have proven that the early Golf (Rabbit in USA) inserts work for the front and in the rear the Beetle/924/944/Vanagon use the same shocks.

With the rabbit inserts, you have to machine the shoulder under the threaded portion of the insert to accomadate the stock SB strut cap bearing. The overall size is correct for the lowered struts, not the stock strut.

This is true for the 71-73 but the use of the Golf I inserts in the 74-79 do not have to be machined to fit the strut bearing.

Thanks for the input! one reason I started this thread is that sometimes you hear things like using mazda rx-7 struts, for instants, or you'll see a deal on E-bay and it would be nice to have an idea if anyone has ever tryed shocks from say a saab. I'd like to hear from anyone who's used non-vw parts and if it was successful or not.