Author Topic: Rear suspension cock-eyed (Read 23194 times)

Bullitt- · « **Reply #75 on:** December 28, 2009 - 08:59:12 PM »

Quote from: shadango on December 28, 2009 - 07:50:47 PM

It sounds like you went with different fronts soley because you needed SHORTER shocks, right?

I think I can go with standard shocks then as I have the original t-bars right now.

I was more wondering about the valving issues.....they dont make an "ultra" for the front of my car (72)...just a standard Gabriel shock. Not sure if mixing the ultra rears with standard fronts would be good?

So I guess I would have to go looking for another Ultra shock that would fit the stock sizes for my shock.....but then I am wondering if the Ultras are valved different from model to model?

Aye aye aye...my head is spinning...LOL

I went with them because their a heck of a deal & I don't anticipate having any issues partly because of the torsion bars and partly from wanting to keep the front low...I don't mean slammed just adjusted 1/2-1" below specs. Not to mention the next step up would cost 3-4 times as much & these didn't cost as much as standard replacements.

shadango · « **Reply #76 on:** December 29, 2009 - 12:44:03 PM »

LOL Called Gabriel just to se what they would say.

Basically, the guy said that the Ultra shocks are very stiff and that they custom valve every part number for the application, and they have no application for the ebody aside from the "classic" shock, which he said is waaaay different valved from the Ultra.

My goal was to try and find a shock for the front that was valved kind of close if I went for the Ultra (truck) shock for the rear.

I dunno. I wish you had had yours out on the road already.

I am not feeling great about a) putting a truck shock on the back of a car and b) mixing something totoaly different valving-wise into the front end.

I guess this is "hot rodding".....LOL....

HP2 · « **Reply #77 on:** December 29, 2009 - 01:57:21 PM »

Yeah, I think your overanalyzing it a bit, and for $20 each, it isn't a big expense to try out variations. Back in my race track days we were tycpially all over any truck or heavy duty parts for our applciations because of htt increased performance and longevity they brought to the table.

Alternative approach is to pick up some Varishocks from Alston Chassisworks. Not cheap, $250 for single and $500 for double adjustables, but a greaat deal of variability can be built in to them. They offer stroke ranges from 4.25 to 22 inches. They also offer a wide variety of ends that can be mounted on their shocks too. Check this for original length applications then scroll down to the bottom of page 2 to check out mount options. http://www.varishock.com/Attachments/DataSheets/VAS_14XXX_AppsSize_DS_WEB.pdf

shadango · « **Reply #78 on:** December 29, 2009 - 02:06:28 PM »

Well, believe it or not, I made a decision.

I have decided to go with KYB shocks front and rear....the "gas adjust" monotubes.

They claim to be super sesitive to changing road conditons etc....

Quote from: kyb website

Purpose: Significantly increases vehicle stability, handling, and control over twin-tube designs.

Gas-a-Just is the replacement for an OE monotube shock
Ideal as an upgrade from an OE twin-tube
The more responsive monotube design automatically adjusts to driving conditions
Applications for cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs

Plus I believe they have a lifetime warranty.

They make one for the fish front (kg4510) and have the truck part #kg5413 available.

At least they are the same series of shocks...LOL

Found them on ebay (rears) for $27 each and still have to order the fronts.

This way I get some performance from the monotube at least for the front, and if the rears dont work out I am not out a ton of money.

Ordering the rears now.....once I get them installed and am sure they at least fit I can order the fronts.....seeing as the front will be ripped apart soon, no rush for those.

Ordered them thru a place called "Octane Auto Supply". They claim to have them in stock...hopefully they do and they ship soon.

Jegs and Summit both showed them on backorder.

The logic you guys have put forth about truck shocks seems legit enough to me.....and seeing as I dont have many other options anyways, I figured I would take the chance.

Sorry for all the him-hawwing on this....I dont have the experience many of you folks do here....using parts on a car that arent specifically made for it is kinda new for me, so I am just a little nervous....Like I said, I guess thats what "hot-rodding" is all about. LOL

the_engineers · « **Reply #79 on:** December 29, 2009 - 04:29:43 PM »

Quote from: shadango on December 29, 2009 - 02:06:28 PM

Sorry for all the him-hawwing on this....I dont have the experience many of you folks do here....

Exactly the reason this excellent site exists

shadango · « **Reply #80 on:** December 29, 2009 - 05:13:29 PM »

AMEN to that!

I have said it before and I'll say it again....I dont know how people did this sort of stuff before the web.....

Bullitt- · « **Reply #81 on:** December 29, 2009 - 05:22:23 PM »

Don't think you'll be sorry for your choice, just more coin than I was willin to drop..

HP2 · « **Reply #82 on:** December 29, 2009 - 05:23:40 PM »

Quote from: shadango on December 29, 2009 - 05:13:29 PM

AMEN to that!

I have said it before and I'll say it again....I dont know how people did this sort of stuff before the web.....

We broke a lot of parts and crashed a few cars along the way.

shadango · « **Reply #83 on:** December 29, 2009 - 06:03:33 PM »

LOL I'd like to avoid BOTH those things if I can!

Bullit, I think it will work out too....one way or the other...LOL

Funny though...when I suggested putting the Gabriel Ultra shock on the barracuda to the tech at Gabriel, you woulda thought I told him that the world was a triangle. LOL I could see his disbelief thru the phone. I think he was basically a young guy who figures if it aint in the book ,it cant be done.

shadango · « **Reply #84 on:** December 30, 2009 - 07:02:44 AM »

I got a reply back from an email I sent to KYB asking about the truck shocks I ordered fro the rear of the fish.....here is their reply:

"The damping rate for the KG5413 (D150 pickup) is nearly 50% firmer than the KG5512 (cuda rear). I think you would need to find a tire with some give in the sidewalls and run maybe 26-28psi. We do not have another shock in the gas-a-just for you with the same mountings. If you can use a 25.2� length versus the 24.45� on the truck, then you could use our 344070 GR-2 shock as the damping is only 13% firmer damping. "

I dont want a ride like a cement truck.....and I dont want to damage the cross member (could have gotten airshocks if I wanted to deal with that issue).....

I already ordered the KG5413s, so I guess we'll see what happens.

the_engineers · « **Reply #85 on:** January 01, 2010 - 04:58:53 PM »

I'm worried that you're so over-analyzing this that you'll hate the ride no matter what it feels like...

shadango · « **Reply #86 on:** January 01, 2010 - 05:16:51 PM »

LOL Probably. <grin>

(Tough room!)

No, I just dont want to have to keep changing shocks out and spending money. So I am trying to think ahead a bit and see what the best route is from the start.

I figured if I could use someone else's experience and save some trial and error I would be ahead of the game....

the_engineers · « **Reply #87 on:** January 01, 2010 - 05:19:29 PM »

Promise that "no matter what" you'll keep these shocks for no less than 1 year.

priderocks · « **Reply #88 on:** January 01, 2010 - 07:30:29 PM »

The flatness of the surface the car is sitting on makes a big difference in how the car sits. My son has a new Nissan Altima coupe, and came running in in a panic to show me how lop-sided the car was sitting when parked in our driveway. We were talking an inch and one half left to right in the rear. When we rolled the car back in the street, the car sat perfectly level. This makes sense if you think about it. On an uneven surface (or any other surface), the car tires obviously don't leave the ground, so the difference is made up in the suspension and body movement. In a left to right height difference the body will adjust until the load on the bars or springs is equal. Put a level on your garage floor left to right at the front tires and rear tires.
If the floor is not level side-to-side I'm afraid you'll sink your life savings into making your car sit level only to find it off when you pull it out of the garage.

shadango · « **Reply #89 on:** January 01, 2010 - 09:17:04 PM »

Quote from: the_engineers on January 01, 2010 - 05:19:29 PM

Promise that "no matter what" you'll keep these shocks for no less than 1 year.

Hmmm...well, I wont promise that. LOL I WILL promise to give them a fair shake...trust me, I hope it works out.

I am NOT expecting a ride like a luxury car or modern sports car...I am realistic....add-a-leafs and these shocks are supposed to be cheap fix to my saggy butt-end issue...I realize there will be tradeoffs.

But...If the thing rides like cement truck once I get her back together with these shocks, it'll be on to the next solution.....I am too old to be rattling my teeth loose over every bump.

But, I am hopeful they will be cool.

Author Topic: Rear suspension cock-eyed (Read 23194 times)

Bullitt-

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

HP2

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

the_engineers

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

Bullitt-

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

HP2

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

the_engineers

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

the_engineers

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

priderocks

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed

shadango

Re: Rear suspension cock-eyed