Anyony have some suggestions on front and rear shock combinations for a Weekend cruiser. Comfort and handling combo prefered. I want my cake and eat it too!! :thumbsup: If pricing has been researched let me know where the deal is. This body off resto project already has Hotchis springs and all new body and suspension bushings. As always guys, thanks for your input. Bob

Bilstein makes great shocks if they fit your budget at ~$75 each

Monroe Sensa Track. Nice ride for the cruiser, Available anywere.

Monroes won't be adequate for his Hotchkis springs... they're fine for stock rates, but underdampened on stiffer rates. I'd suggest getting revalved Bilstein shocks from Hotchkis... they cost a little more than Bilsteins from anywhere else, but they are custom-valved specifically for those springs, and will perform great as well as ride very nice and last for many years. No "cheap" parts-store shock can compare.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Derek I take it that the Bilstein shocks are different from other suppliers than the ones from Hotchkis? If I go with the revalved Hotchkis on the fronts what do you suggest for the rears? Get them directly from Hotchkis or somewhere else?

If your looking for a stiff ride and good cornering ability the bilstiens are a good choice. If you want a comfortable ride at a good price the monroe's are the way to go. You could get a comfortable ride from the bilstiens after you get them revalved. But then you might as well go with monroe's and avoid all the hassle. I believe they come with a lifetime warranty also. Not bad for a cheep store baught shock. As for under dampening. Why put a stiff shock on a car that already has stiff springs. That will only make the ride more unbarable. If you have stiff springs a soft shock will be very adequate for daily driving and last a long time. I guess it depends on your budget and the ride quality your after.

If your looking for a stiff ride and good cornering ability the bilstiens are a good choice. If you want a comfortable ride at a good price the monroe's are the way to go. You could get a comfortable ride from the bilstiens after you get them revalved. But then you might as well go with monroe's and avoid all the hassle. I believe they come with a lifetime warranty also. Not bad for a cheep store baught shock. As for under dampening. Why put a stiff shock on a car that already has stiff springs. That will only make the ride more unbarable. If you have stiff springs a soft shock will be very adequate for daily driving and last a long time. I guess it depends on your budget and the ride quality your after.

No Monroe shock is going to work effectively with an increased spring rate. Shocks ideally should be valved to each vehicles set-up and drivers desires to really work. Mass produced shocks cannot possibly take into account modifications to the vehicle that change wheel rate/spring rate/unsprung weight/overall weight/tire profile/tire composition/drivers desired handling vs. ride quality/changes that affect roll stiffness/etc...

Typical post recommending higher end shocks only if "racing" is desired. Monroe, Gabriel, KYB etc.. do not spend the R&D money necessary to build a quality shock for a driving enthusiast. They cater to Kragen shoppers.

The Hotchkis Bilstein shocks have been re-valved for their springs, so they are different the ones you purchase elsewhere. They are worth every penny.

As for under dampening. Why put a stiff shock on a car that already has stiff springs. That will only make the ride more unbarable.Just to emphasis this point...you obviously have no clue about how dynamic suspension works or spring rate vs. shock valving for a guy who claims to "chassis man".

Got a little offended did ya? I'm glad to see you know it all. I wish there were more guy's like you i could learn from LOL. I think if i was an expert on shocks and springs i'd be working for a nascar teem. Never said i know it all, but it seems i know what works according to my costomer base and over 20 years in the buisiness. Also i never argued the fact that the bilstiens would handle better. I did say the ride would be harsh, and it will be. Every vehicle i'v driven with bilstiens rides like crap but corners great. If thats what he's after then your advice is good. No need to get all huffy about it. If it were my car though I wouldn't waste my money. Good luck with your ride.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Derek I take it that the Bilstein shocks are different from other suppliers than the ones from Hotchkis? If I go with the revalved Hotchkis on the fronts what do you suggest for the rears? Get them directly from Hotchkis or somewhere else?Yes, they custom valve them to work with their springs. If you have their springs on all 4 corners, I'd get their shocks for all 4 as well.

Why put a stiff shock on a car that already has stiff springs. That will only make the ride more unbarable.A weak shock on a stiff spring will drive like a car with worn out shocks... bouncing over bumps, skipping over rough surfaces, etc. The properly dampened shocks will improve the ride-quality, not worsen it.

Every vehicle i'v driven with bilstiens rides like crap but corners great... If it were my car though I wouldn't waste my money. Good luck with your ride.I've NEVER heard anyone complain about the ride quality of a Bilstein shock, EVER. In fact, everyone I know who has made the switch to a high-end shock has said the same thing about wishing they had done it years ago.

Bilstein makes great shocks if they fit your budget at ~$75 each

Good stuff!! :thumbsup: And a bargain at $75ea.
Got mine from Summit.

One thing is for sure, there are many different variables (options and opinions) Sometimes it's overwhelming and confusing on what to choose. That's what makes a resto so exciting and rewarding. (Sometimes Frustrating Too)

Those revalved Bilstein shocks sound like the ticket for me. Who sells them? Where can I get a full set? Any special proceedure I have to go through to get them revalved? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for ALL your input fellas. Bob

Got a little offended did ya? I'm glad to see you know it all. I wish there were more guy's like you i could learn from LOL..No, I have nothing at stake here. I just get pissed off when guys who obviously do not know what they are talking about give advise as if they are experts. Somebody out there will read that post and ASSume you know what you are talking about and as a result spend hard earned money only to find it was a waste.


Working for a race team...yeah, that pays real well. :sad:

Those revalved Bilstein shocks sound like the ticket for me. Who sells them? Where can I get a full set? Any special proceedure I have to go through to get them revalved? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for ALL your input fellas. Bob
Get them directly from Hotchkis, give them your info on what springs you have, and tell them you want their Bilsteins valved for those springs. :)

Checked with Hotchkis on those Bilstein/Hotchkis shocks. They charge $98.00 each, plus shipping. Checked around and found the same at AJ USA 1-800-877-1911 (out of California,) Talked with their Hotchkis representitive, Scott Knapp, and got the same shocks for $90.95 each with free shipping to boot. I just wanted to pass it on to everyone at TC in case they're interested in getting these as well. Total savings of $28.00 plus shipping, could be well spent on other items i'm sure. By the way, I bought my Hotchkis springs from AJ as well and they too were less than buying from Hotchkis directly. Thanks again for your suggestions and ideas. Bob

No, I have nothing at stake here. I just get pissed off when guys who obviously do not know what they are talking about give advise as if they are experts. Somebody out there will read that post and ASSume you know what you are talking about and as a result spend hard earned money only to find it was a waste.




Well, Dennis, it looks like this ain't the only place to steer folks askew:
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0705phr_front_end_rebuild/photo_04.html

I just get pissed off when guys who obviously do not know what they are talking about give advise as if they are experts.

Never.....NEVER visit the current events forum.....Everything in my home office is broken, the dog is in a cast, people across the street called me into CPS for abuse (cats, if kicked hard enough sound a LOT like children screaming I guess) and I dont even have kids....place is enough to make you take your frustration out on handicapped old ladies or throw a cute bunny rabbit into a shop fan. ;)