Single Adjustable Street Shocks

[YO7_A66]

 I am possibly looking into budgeting a set of single adjustable shocks for my 70 Challenger this year.

Is there a preference between the Strange (TS501/TS901) or the QA1 (S5281/TS5282) shocks in quality? They are both in the same price range (apx. $150 each).

Then there are the Ridetech units that are at $175 each and have a million mile warranty.

A) What do you think for single adjustables?
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B) If you were going to buy two shocks at a time, would you buy the fronts first or the rear shocks first on a street car that currently has the basic Monroe shocks?

[dfrazz]

What's the purpose for your car?  Just street cruising, road course racing, strip?

[YO7_A66]

 ""What's the purpose for your car?  Just street cruising, road course racing, strip?""

 Performance street driving is my main concern. I also want to see if I can work on my traction while staying with my existing 255/60/15's (Indy 500's) on the rear. I was thinking that a set of single adjustables would give me some tweaking room for my current traction problem.

 I am trying to decide between non adjustable and single adjustable shocks. I have already made my decision on the non adjustable, and they would be the $550 (Hotchkis-Fox) for the set. I am trying to decide if paying another $50+ bucks for the Strange/QA1 single adjustables set would be worth it or not.

 Thanks for your reply.

[HP2]

Strange and QA1 appear to be very similar twin tube, aluminum body designs. The Ridetech says is a monotube design. Monotube will provide more precision over the control over a twin tube. Monotubes also have larger oil reserves in them to avoid foaming and overheating, should you drive the car for extended periods of time. However, as you see, twin tubes are easier to make which results in lower prices and because the are a tube within a tube, they can sustain road damage and still remain functional. Probably not a big deal in a car, but it could be in a truck.

I doubt any of them will help much with traction issues with 15" Firestone street tires. With a UTQG tread rating of 500, these tires are rock hard for mileage, not traction. All the shocks are going to do for you is delay or speed up the springs reaction. I doubt you could delay it enough to prevent blowing off the tires at a 500 tread wear.

If you are the type that doesn't mind keeping records of adjustments and changes, adjustable shocks may be for you. However, it is possible to head the  wrong direction with them if you don't have time for adjustments and testing and adjustments and testing. If you prefer to worry less about the adjustments and just want to drive, then the fixed valving Hotchkis/Fox shocks are probably the best fixed valve, bolt it on, and go shock out there.

[YO7_A66]

 That was very helpful. Thank you for the detailed response!!

[HP2]

you betcha,  !

[YO7_A66]

 I am still thinking about the shocks. What about Ridetech single adjustable on the front only for better handling? Then later down the road when the budget allows, buy the adjustable rears too?

 Thanks

[ToxicWolf]

Just for information ... if you are still thinking about Fox shocks make sure the car is low enough.  They are designed for a low riding car.   

[crash340]

If your car is lowered at the front, makes sure you get a slightly shorter shock so as not to bottom out the shock. I run std E body mopar QA1 front but ended up replacing them within a couple hundred miles to a shorter QA1 as they were running so close to fully compressed I was worried I would bottom them out

[YO7_A66]

I will measure out the ride height before purchasing, but these are what I have in mind so far for the front: Ridetech Adjustable HQ #2216 9856  ""Designed to replace OEM Shock Absorbers".

 http://www.ridetech.com/store/shocks/
 Note: Summit shows the wrong part number for this shock per Ridetech.

 Ridetech said that the #2216-9856 front adjustable shocks are made for OEM ride height.
 The collapsed dimension is 9.55" and the extend is 15.3". I will check my ride height this weekend per the attached picture, but is there a dimension that I need to worry about before ordering these shocks? (example: if my ride height measures 15". I would assume that this is too close).
 Ridetech did not have the OEM ride height number for the 70 Challenger to reference.

 Thanks

 

[crash340]

its the ride height compared to compressed length that is the issue, I had QA1 TS501(measures 10.25 x 15.50)  shocks which are std for Cuda/Challenger etc, but ride height was damn near at fully compressed, spoke to QA1 and they suggested TS507 (measures 9.38 x 14.38) which is about an inch shorter on both compression and extension. they are a chev shock with the T bar lower mount but that just gets pressed out and a bush inserted for Mopar. this has given me an extra inch of compression travel and insurance I wont destroy my shocks by bottoming out on a pothole etc

[YO7_A66]

 For another $25 more ($200 each), there is the front Hotchkis Fox adjustable shocks too.
 http://www.hotchkis.net/product/hotchkis-tuned-1-5-adjustable-performance-series-front-shock-dodge-plym-b-body/?searchby=part&partnoval=70030013
 
 The front shock dimensions are 14.3" extend and 9.05" compressed.

 Both the Ridetech and the Hotchkis are Fox based shocks. Due to the price, I just want to buy the most shock that I can afford for the front only right now. Then later on, buy the matching rear if I feel it is needed.
 I am still leaning towards a GOOD adjustable shock for the front due to some future sway bar and torsion bar upgrades.

 Thanks
 
 

[HP2]

The stock shock dimensions are like this: Compressed, 10.27;  Extended, 16.7; Travel,  6.43; Mounts upper-bayonet;    Mounts lower-eye.
            
Now, since the shock is mounted a percentage of the way in on the control arm, a 2" drop in ride height does not  equal a 2" shorter shock. You will need to verify where the static length is at your establish ride height, then remove the t-bar and measure how much compression and extension you have from there to figure how how much shock you need.

[crash340]

I put an O ring around the shaft of the shorter shocks when I fitted them, took it for a good cruise on sat, VERY glad I changed them and the 10.25 compressed QA1's were opperating in the last 1/4" of compressed stroke, one good pothole or bump and they would have been gone. As a guide my ride height has the factory original bump stops set just short of the chassis rail stop, I then trimmed the bump stops to half height for some clearance. I is low however, run it heigher by all means adn even with the 9.4" compressed shock that I have now fitted there is tons of extended length available to operate in rather than the very last bit. My 

[brads70]

its the ride height compared to compressed length that is the issue, I had QA1 TS501(measures 10.25 x 15.50)  shocks which are std for Cuda/Challenger etc, but ride height was damn near at fully compressed, spoke to QA1 and they suggested TS507 (measures 9.38 x 14.38) which is about an inch shorter on both compression and extension. they are a chev shock with the T bar lower mount but that just gets pressed out and a bush inserted for Mopar. this has given me an extra inch of compression travel and insurance I wont destroy my shocks by bottoming out on a pothole etc

I also used the shorter QA1 shocks based on measuring the car at the lowered ride height. I had to remover the t-bar and install new bushings. I might have made a bushing too I can't remember, I've had 3 sets of shocks in my car in 4 years LOL ( stock jobber shop replacements, Bilsteins, and then the QA1 double adjustable)