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Deathdeelr · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 7:46 am Post subject: KYB Shocks

I put a set of 4 KYB GR2 shocks in the Caprice about six months ago along with new rear springs (fronts were fine). The car was spot on for a while but is now bouncy and sluggish. I think I may need to replace them again.

Way back in my youth I remember putting KYB shocks in my '77 Imp and that car was like a rock. I don't think I used GR2's in that car; I remember the shocks being white which means they were probably Gas-a-just.

Is there that much difference between the GR2's and the Gas-a-just? Does anyone have any other recommendations on shocks? I need a good performance shock, not a stock replacement. The car does 120 miles a day five days a week; 40 miles of that on twisty 2 lanes.
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bfurches · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:36 pm Post subject:

Your best bet is to log onto summit racing and use the "year make and model" selection. You will find a surprising amount of performance shocks compatiable with the b-body chassis.

Believe it or not, i am running ranchero 4x4 shocks out back lol. Its a trick my chassis guy taught me on leaf spring cars, and i adapted it to mine for drag racing. So far it has worked out really well.
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Deathdeelr · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 6:59 am Post subject:

I like the idea. Got a part number for the Ranchos? If I remember correctly I think an S10 shock should have the same upper and lower mounts.

I checked out Summit and Jegs and I'm diggin' the Edelbrock IAS's but I'm leary about trying something new unless I've heard the good and the bad. You've got good results with the truck shocks so I'm up for that. I'm taking some vacation time next month to get projects done and one project is boxing my lower arms and adding a Hotchkis rear sway bar. I'd like to get the shocks in while I have the suspension apart.
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robotic_junky · Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Indiana

I put some KYB Gas-a-just shocks on my 80 Bonneville a couple months ago and they seem pretty decent, but I have gotten to actually drive the car yet.

Might sound stupid, but what about putting air shocks on. I think air shocks usually go for under $100 for a pair.

Deathdeelr · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject:

I'm kind of funny when it comes to engineering stuff and I have always had concerns about air shocks and transferring too much body weight to the lower shock mounts. I do pull a trailer and would probably benefit from an air shock but like I said I'm leary about them. Maybe if I find a cheap set on ebay to try and I like them I'll spring for a good set. An air shock would do wonders for supporting the car especially with the trailer but what about dampening? That's my real problem.

I have my trailer set up so the tongue weight is under 100 pounds. The rear end sags more with the equipment I take back and forth to work every day than when the trailer is hooked up. I have the trailer combo dialed in so I'm not concerned with that.

Then again I may be looking for ride correction in the wrong place and my problem will be solved when the sway bar goes in. I'd really like to try the Ranchos. The more I think about it the more I like the idea of the increased dampening.

Now I also have to remember that when I welded up the rear I went way above and beyond the stock welding job so maybe my stress concerns with the shock mounts are mute.

Sorry about the rant but I like to think out loud. Sometimes I solve my own problems after I see it in print.
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Me hid big dings wid da hamma.
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