I need to get some new shocks. My Dad can't ever remember replacing them (Original Owner). I was just hoping to get some opinions, which ones you guys like/ don't like from your experience. The cars all original except for the new 15" Rally's and tires. I appreciate your suggestions.
Thanks
Bryan

KYB Gas-A-Just shocks here. IMO, good quality shock that won't break the bank. about $40 each.

I installed the KYP-gas on my 68 and love the ride. Some say thay are too stiff but I like the new ride.

KYB's are bad... IMO. I have removed a set with less than 500 miles on them. PM me if you want them at a good price. A high quality shock is a must for spirited driving. Try Koni's, Edelelbrock IAS, or Bilstein. I have Monroe's on my cruiser now. Remember you get what you pay for in Performance shocks.

KYB's are bad... IMO.


Pretty generic statement. My question is why bad?

This is why I asked. I read previous threads before posting and the opinions were all over the place. Just keep in mind I can do only so much "spirited driving" in an original straight six with drums all around and a powerglide.

By the way they are working on a first gen on speed right now on chop cut rebuild.

Any advice on the shhocks would be great. You guys on this site have helped me alot:thumbsup:

My KYBs were STIFF. Stiff in a BAD way. Kidney pounding. Not pleasant to drive the car at all.
Edelbrock IAS were good.
I now have Hotchkis springs with re-valved Bilsteins. They area great!

for a stock ride, there's nothing wrong with monroe sensa-tracs. i've used the koni and bilstein and can recommend both, but they were on high rate springs.

If the car is one owner, all original, and has the original spiral shocks on it, whatever you do don't throw them away!!! They can be rebuilt, and guys are paying ridiculous coin for restored spiral shocks, so I would hate to see you throw them away now.

For your driving, the Monroes that John recommended would be a nice aftermarket shock, and if you watch for one of their deals, can usually be had pretty reasonable.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1034648,parttype,7556

I haven't thrown anything away. Right down to the Master Cylinder, water pump, bumper guards, hub caps and 14's etc. The only thing I don't have is the original drivers side mirror. My bros put some Laneco (Walmartesque in our area in 1992) mirrors on when he was 16. Radio is in Dad's attic somewhere.
I didn't realize the old shocks were such a comodity, not that I'd ever sell anything original anyway.

So, don't bother with the more expensive KYB, bilstein on my 6 is what your getting at?

I have Bilstein on my Ram and love them

OK, my KYB's are very stiff. I had Hotchkis lowering springs installed, and the front stayed sky high. I later figured out that my KYB shocks were holding the front up ! I installed monroes on it and the front immediately dropped the 2". I have also replaced the rear shocks to the monroe's, but I haven't driven it that way, yet.

Eric
SouthEast, PA...I was born and bred in Easton, PA ad now live in Boyertown.:beers: Boy, this spring won't stop raining huh?

My Dad said he can't remember replacing the shocks. That doesn't mean he didn't 30+ years ago. It has OLD Monroes on it now.

I'm not into the lowered look for mine and I don't want it any higher for sure. Glad I asked beacause I was going to go with the KYB but it sounds like the Monroe is a nice stock shock.

Here is another vote for Monroe Sensa-tracs. Reasonably priced, performs well on the street in a daily driver.
whatever you do don't throw them away!!! They can be rebuilt, and guys are paying ridiculous coin for restored spiral shocks, so I would hate to see you throw them away now.

I get a big lump in my throat when I think about how many pairs of these shocks I have thrown away in favor of a set of Gabrial Hi-Jackers!! (I worked in a small performance shop way back when.).......Jb

I had gas shocks in my car when I first bought it. The front of the car was too stiff.
They sell the original oil filled spiral shock ( repop) It works great that is what im useing now. But unlike todays gas charged shock they fade, dips in the highway when its 90 degs outside the frt end will take a cycle or two before it settles out they are perfect for you in your siuation unless you plan on alot of high speed miles in very warm wheather.

I have been trying to find out what the length of a rear shock for a multi leaf is fully extended...if wnyone could measure one and post it I would be grateful.

Thanks

Steve -

Monroe has that info on their spec sheets, http://www.monroe.com/catalog_lookup/ocl_miscappinfo.asp .

I think I have posted the measurements before here, I will see if I can find them.

Bryan -

I am in Downingtown, not too far from the Boyertown-Gilbertsville Metropolitan area...

As far as the shocks go, the reason I would stick with the relatively inexpensive shocks like the Monroes is that I assume you are still working with the rest of the 40 year old OE suspension.

For the guys who have spent big bucks on aftermarket springs, improved upper control arms, tall joints/spindles, the high dollar shocks like Bilstein make perfect sense and complete the package. And I agree, a set of Bilsteins were a huge improvement on my 2001 Silverado (I wonder if they survived my Dukes of Hazzard imitation??).

You probably want to stay away from some of the other "name" brands; as mentioned, the KYBs are love/hate. I have them on my 69 BB vert, though I can't recall if they are the GR2 or Gas-A-Just. I don't really have enough miles on the car yet, but there is some issue with the suspension that could be shocks.

The rear springs were replaced with Multi leaf ~5 years ago but the fronts are original. Thanks for the help.

Another vote for the Edelbrock IAS.

koni on all our cars! Great priced shock that holds up real well and rides nice. Edlebrock ias, are great for a while but seem to suck wind real quick. There are plenty of opinions on shocks, its hard to go wrong with the old tried and true monroe if its just a daily driver/cruiser.

KYB also makes the GR-2 shocks, which are less harsh than the Gas-A-Justs.