{"product_id":"bilstein-shock-absorber-off-road-classis-7100-series","title":"Bilstein 7100 Series Off-Road Rear Shock | VW Baja, Sand Rail \u0026 Buggy | Monotube Nitrogen (97-4098-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eBilstein 7100 Series Off-Road Rear Shock Absorber — VW Baja, Sand Rail \u0026amp; Buggy, Monotube Nitrogen (97-4098-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBilstein 7100 Series off-road performance rear shock absorber, designed for sand rails, Baja Bugs, dune buggies, and other off-road VW-based builds. EMPI part #97-4098-0. With over 60 years of OEM shock engineering and decades of off-road racing development, Bilstein 7100 shocks are a long-standing standard for serious off-road use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW-based Baja Bugs\u003c\/b\u003e (rear).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLong-travel sand rails\u003c\/b\u003e (rear, depending on mounting geometry).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOff-road dune buggies\u003c\/b\u003e (rear).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOther off-road VW-based builds\u003c\/b\u003e using compatible mounting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMounting note:\u003c\/b\u003e The 7100 Series is built for off-road suspension geometry. Confirm your rear suspension type (swing axle vs IRS), your shock mount style, and your eye-to-eye length requirements at full droop and full compression before ordering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose Bilstein?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bilstein 7100 Series is built specifically for high-displacement, high-velocity off-road suspension travel — the kind of duty that destroys standard gas shocks within a few hard runs. The 7100 uses a larger-diameter monotube design with high-pressure nitrogen charging and a valve system that resists fade under repeated high-speed bump and compression cycles. In a Baja Bug or sand rail rear suspension, that means consistent damping after a long whoops section, no foaming or fade, and longer service life than any street shock pressed into off-road duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLarger-Diameter Monotube:\u003c\/b\u003e Built for high-displacement, high-velocity off-road travel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHigh-Pressure Nitrogen:\u003c\/b\u003e Resists fade and foaming under repeated high-speed impacts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRebuildable:\u003c\/b\u003e Can be rebuilt by Bilstein when worn out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProven Off-Road Pedigree:\u003c\/b\u003e Decades of off-road racing development behind the 7100 Series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSeries:\u003c\/b\u003e Bilstein 7100 (off-road performance).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePosition:\u003c\/b\u003e Rear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDesign:\u003c\/b\u003e Monotube, high-pressure gas (nitrogen) charged.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as:\u003c\/b\u003e Single shock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e 97-4098-0.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVendor:\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI (Bilstein product, distributed via EMPI).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill this work as a street rear shock on my Beetle?\u003c\/b\u003e No. The 7100's damping is calibrated for high-velocity off-road impacts. On a street car, it'll ride harshly and the valving won't engage properly in regular driving. For street use, look at Bilstein B6 shocks instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs this sold as a pair?\u003c\/b\u003e No, single shock. Order two for a pair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat's the difference between the 7100 rear and 7100 front?\u003c\/b\u003e Different valving and length. The front shock (97-4097-0) is tuned for the front suspension; this one is tuned for the rear. Don't swap them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSwing axle or IRS — does it matter?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. Swing axle and IRS rear suspensions have different shock mounting geometry and travel characteristics. Measure your specific mount-to-mount distance at both extremes of travel before ordering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow long do they last?\u003c\/b\u003e With off-road duty, Bilstein 7100s have a service life of several years of moderate use or one to two seasons of serious racing. They can be rebuilt by Bilstein when worn out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/suspension\"\u003eSuspension\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dune-buggy\"\u003eDune Buggy\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-vw-aircooled\"\u003eAll VW Air-Cooled\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44473146703987,"sku":null,"price":315.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/97-4098-0_ANG-500x287.jpg?v=1774308197","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/bilstein-shock-absorber-off-road-classis-7100-series","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}