Joined: Sun Jan 07 2007, 07:37PM
Location: London,Ontario
Posts: 166
In the past I have always wondered what the right shocks were for my 65 Fury. I read many posts on different forums and came to the conclusion I would never buy Munroe's or Gabriel's. Instead I bought a set of KYB,s. Sorry to say that they just didn't measure up and I actually wished I'd bought a set of Koni or Ranco but they do not make ones to fit my car. My son took the beast for a long ride and a few days later presented me with "four corners" of Bilstein's on my birthday. My gawd, these things are great. The car handled as if I'd put new springs all round and doubled the size of my stabilizer bars. No nose dives, flapping in the rear or heavy rolling in the corners and the ride was smooth even going over large bumps and potholes. If it were my $400 I'd probably never done it but after installation and riding in the car I certainly should have.
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 10:24AM
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 160
I have KYB's on the fronts and Monroes on the rear of my fullsizers. The KYB's can be considered stiff and the Monroes at tad too weak. Shocks need to match the springs aswell.
On my daily '73 Dart I've got KYB's on the front and Monroe Sensatracs Loadlevelers on the rear. I recently went to Bilsteins on the rear and the difference is very noticable. The car's suspension movements are much more controlled and dampened out in usually 'one suspension-movement'.
For the fronts I'm awaiting for a set of adjustable Hotchkis shocks to arrive.
Good shocks give a much more quality feel to a car. Any car
Joined: Wed Nov 17 2010, 03:28PM
Location: florida
Posts: 1311
i use qa1 18 way adjustables on my 66.i think they are for a first gen camaro.havent done any real driving on them but its been so long since i really drove the car i wouldt know if they were better or worse than another.i figure with the adjustability i can get them tuned right.
Joined: Wed Aug 11 2010, 10:15AM
Location: E WA
Posts: 1230
yatzee wrote ...
In the past I have always wondered what the right shocks were for my 65 Fury. I read many posts on different forums and came to the conclusion I would never buy Munroe's or Gabriel's. Instead I bought a set of KYB,s. Sorry to say that they just didn't measure up and I actually wished I'd bought a set of Koni or Ranco but they do not make ones to fit my car. My son took the beast for a long ride and a few days later presented me with "four corners" of Bilstein's on my birthday. My gawd, these things are great. The car handled as if I'd put new springs all round and doubled the size of my stabilizer bars. No nose dives, flapping in the rear or heavy rolling in the corners and the ride was smooth even going over large bumps and potholes. If it were my $400 I'd probably never done it but after installation and riding in the car I certainly should have.
I have Bilestien shocks on my 67 Polara Convertible and as you say they are great. I also went to heavy duty springs front and rear and front and rear anti sway bars.
My 64 Imperial Crown has KYBs all around and in my opinion they work great on that car. Still a luxury car ride but much less wallow.
Joined: Wed Aug 11 2010, 10:15AM
Location: E WA
Posts: 1230
yatzee wrote ...
In the past I have always wondered what the right shocks were for my 65 Fury. I read many posts on different forums and came to the conclusion I would never buy Munroe's or Gabriel's. Instead I bought a set of KYB,s. Sorry to say that they just didn't measure up and I actually wished I'd bought a set of Koni or Ranco but they do not make ones to fit my car. My son took the beast for a long ride and a few days later presented me with "four corners" of Bilstein's on my birthday. My gawd, these things are great. The car handled as if I'd put new springs all round and doubled the size of my stabilizer bars. No nose dives, flapping in the rear or heavy rolling in the corners and the ride was smooth even going over large bumps and potholes. If it were my $400 I'd probably never done it but after installation and riding in the car I certainly should have.
If anyone is interested, Rockauto has C-body front KYB gas adjust shocks for $17.76 each right now.
Joined: Mon Feb 18 2008, 11:08PM
Location: Tewantin, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 405
I had KYB's on mine but up-graded to the Bilsteins, must say i did prefer the KYB's on the rear though, the Bilsteins seem a bit "soft". Fronts are excellent though.
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 10:24AM
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 160
noosacuda wrote ...
I had KYB's on mine but up-graded to the Bilsteins, must say i did prefer the KYB's on the rear though, the Bilsteins seem a bit "soft". Fronts are excellent though.
Given that observation, you probably want a higher springrate on the rear perhaps. Any Mopar I own/owned benefited from 1 or 2 extra leafs in the springpacks.
Yesterday I just upgraded my daily '73 Dart from KYB's on the front to Hotchkis Adjustable shocks which are quite an improvement in ride quality and roadfeel. The cars seems to follow and stick to the road much better now.