Author Topic: Shocks?!? What do you prefer?  (Read 3811 times)

Offline nlauffer

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 274
Shocks?!? What do you prefer?
« on: October 22, 2013, 02:08:56 pm »
I am still tearing into my pickup and after removing the bed the other night making another list of parts to buy.  Shocks were the first thing on the list as they are easy and not too expensive.  I put new shocks on the front when I did the front end rebuild, but didn't get the rear ones when I rebuilt the rear brakes.

On the front, I used Napa's cheaper MonroMatic.  I think that is what they are, they have the all blue body.  I am thinking about the same for the rear.

I have a 98 K1500 Suburban that I put new sway bar bushings and end links on.  At the same time I put on KYB MonoMax Performance shocks on the front and rear.  After that the truck rode like a brick.  I have extra rattles coming from the front end and it seems like the shocks are just way too stiff.  They would probably be OK for an off road vehicle, but a family ride.  I had experienced that feeling once before with a set of KYB shocks on a 64 Falcon.  They were nothing special shocks, but rode like you put steel rods in place of the shocks and springs.  It does feel like the tires are staying on the road better, but every bump is transferred through the vehicle and my back.  And I mean every bump.

Did I buy the wrong shocks for my driving style or are KYBs not a "smooth" shock? 

I know some of the differences between different shocks and it takes into account springs, when it comes to how "smooth" a ride is.  By "smooth" I guess I mean soft.  I know it's not gonna be an air ride, but I want to get close.

How do I get an air ride suspension without buying air ride?

Offline nlauffer

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 274
Re: Shocks?!? What do you prefer?
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2013, 02:09:39 pm »
Oh yeah, this pickup is an 83 GMC C1500 with stock suspension. 

Offline Big Katz

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 60
Re: Shocks?!? What do you prefer?
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2013, 08:57:59 pm »
I had the same problems on my Blazer with the KYB shocks. I put Bilstein shocks on my 82 K20 and liked them a lot. They hold the tire down on the dirt roads well and don't seem to be stiff at all. I liked them so much I just bought another set for my 2500HD. They cost a little more, but definitely ride nice.

Offline nlauffer

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 274
Re: Shocks?!? What do you prefer?
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2013, 08:18:06 am »
I've seen a lot about the Bilstein shocks, but no one around here sells them.  I went ahead and bout the KYB for the rear, because that was all that was in town.

Offline Big Katz

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 60
Re: Shocks?!? What do you prefer?
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2013, 08:42:38 pm »
I have the same problem where I live. I had to order them online. I got mine from Kennedy Diesel.

Offline werewolfx13

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 841
Re: Shocks?!? What do you prefer?
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2013, 09:51:28 pm »
I use gabriel coil overs from JC whitney...have had the same set since 2005..started on my 84 GMC, then moved to my 83 in 2007 and still work fine...smooth ride, good handling, and adds a fair amount of load support.
Chris
'83 Chevy c10 Silverado SWB
'76 Chevy k20 LWB 6.5'x8' Flatbed
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”