>From past to present:
1976 Ford Capri (2.6L - German model...not the 2.8L): (Canyon Carver V6 with
Isky, Offenhauser, Holley, Pacesetter, Mallory)
Monroe Gas-Magnums: (Not bad for OE replacements...but too mushy for any
aggressive driving)
KYB Gas-Adjusts and then Koni's (Koni was FAR superior in handling)
Ford Eurosport Suspension (2" drop) installed with Bilstein Shocks: Oh yeah
baby!
1976 Camaro: (A "Dual-Breed" BIG engine, high horsepower, canyon carver -
Life began at 110mph)
Monroe Gas Magnums (Acckkk---phfftttt)
KYB Gas-Adjust (Front)/SkyJackers (Rear) - Bad combination
KYB Gas-Adjust (Front)/Gabriel Coil-Over Spring/Shock (Better...but still
not stable)
KYB Gas-Adjust on all corners - Mucho Better
GM Motorsports Coils/Springs and Koni's Front/Rear: Hell yeah
'Vette Products Fiberglass Monoleaf Conversion w/Koni's in rear (No front
shocks) - 1.1g's on the skidpad (Can't beat that one at all! - Tested at
Sears Point)
1997 Dodge Dakota: (Please see my DML Profile for modifications - Plug for
"Sir Wong")
Factory Shocks: (No going there...we all know how they handle)
Gabriel OE Replacements: Not much better
Edelbrock IAS: First release (had a tip from Edelbrock): Better than stock
but too mushy for a truck (Lasted one week and were returned)
Rancho RS5000: Oil Filled Shock that worked great on the road but when
heated offroad, became too mushy and blew out on a "Airborne Manuever" -
Warranty details have already been discussed
ProComp ES9000: No complaints what-so-ever
I can't say that i've tried them all, but from the Monroe, Gabriel, KYB,
Koni, Bilstein, Edelbrock, Rancho, and ProComp shocks...i'd rate them like
this:
(1) Koni
(2) ProComp/KYB
(3) Bilstein
(4) Rancho
(5) Edelbrock/Monroe
(6) Gabriel
(7) No Shocks as all
(8) Factory Shocks
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: DML: Shocks
It's pretty interesting hearing about the shocks that folks recommend,
swear by or swear at.
I understand that all shocks are not created equal. For sure the stock
shocks on my brand new Dakota 4x4 do not give me much confidence
at highway speeds when I go around a corner or hit a bump. In fact I
think the truck is down right dangerous at 65 and above on anything
but a baby'sbehind smooth road.
I've not owned a truck before so I can not compare different brands of
shocks on such vehicles. But, I have had a variety of shocks on my 66
Chrysler and I can say that the KYB's I have on it are far superior to
anything I've had on it in the thirteen years or so that I've owned the car.
I've had two varieties of air shocks, Monroe and Gabriels, the original
factory shocks, spring over heavy duty shocks and now the KYB's. Only
the Gabriel air shocks came closs to the KyBs.
Now I'm still trying to make a decision as to go with the KYB's or
Bilsteins on my Dakota. Price of the Bilsteins is holding me back. Find
it hard to dump a ton of money into shocks that I've never tested on
this particular vehicle. Now if the manufactures offered a money back,
"this is the best ride you'll find" garrantee then I wouldn't hesitate.
It's a shame we can't get our Dakotas together at a meet and compare
same year/model Dakotas with different shocks and have our own
Consumer Guide shock absorber test. Really, how does one know
that Monroes, Kybs, Bilteins, ProComps or whatever are the best you
can put on your Dakota??? If you haven't tested all the shocks then you
really don't know do you?
Anyone in the SF area want to have a shock absorber shoot out?
I welcome feedback and suggestions to get off my high-horse.
SteveOH
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:55:55 EDT