Hey everyone thanks in advance for any and all help. Always get great responses from everyone and it is always appreciated. Looking to instal new front shocks on my 57 wagon with a big block. Have used napa shocks in the past but they just seem to soft to me i would like to stiffen the ride just a little. Te shocks are Monroe's and not my favorite. On summit the choices are between Lakewood drag shocks and ride techs. Since my car is just a driver i feel like i should avoid the lakewoods. Like wise the ride techs are 125 a piece. The front shocks look like GM style shocks. You guys think i could use lets just say impala shocks? Seems to be more choices goin with a chevy shock. (Brand wise. Bilsteins kybs and such). The rear shocks i think im limited too since they are the type with studs too and bottom. Thanks agin guys! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I put Monroe sensatracs on my 58 ford, not the cheapest Monroe's but not the most expensive either. I think around $40 each. Mine rides like a dream, but them again I have a 302 in mine. The weight of the big block may change all that. -LUKEY-
Thanks guys. Had trouble looking up a kyb number and i would rather go with them with the sensatracs. Those are what the napa shocks are. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Does anyone see why i couldnt uses GM shocks for a big block car? I feel they would be better to handle the weight. I probably added 300lbs over the stock motor that the shocks in the car are valves to handle. And again i dont knw if it even matters and im over thinking bad shocks Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
You can use impala shocks on the front but I don't think your going to get the change in ride quality your seeking just by changing shocks. That much weight added to the front will probably require a spring change to firm it up. Remember that the shock is to dampen the spring and while firmer shocks can help you need the proper spring rate to make everything kosher.
I agree with you on that. Right now it has areo star springs but i did change them from new stock springs and it still has the same soft feel. Only reason i was thinking maybe a better quality shock would help tighten things up. With the new areo star springs the ride is the same. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That being said i get what ur saying. No reason to re inven the wheel in this case. Probably would achieve what I'm looking for using a quality shock for a ford. Maybe i wasnt clear im not looking to make a road carving machine just a better ride. I get 50s car have a lil roll to them. The car rides good its just the shocks are bad. Thanks guys for all ur help! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
As stated above, unless they are air shocks (which would normally be in the rear) they don't carry any load, they just dampen the harshness of bumps/dips. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Best example i can think of is when i used to four wheel i had shocks for my truck with a 4in lift. Swapped to Bilsteins for the same application and improved the ride big time Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!