Inexpensive Shock Replacement?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
Inexpensive Shock Replacement?
I read a bunch of threads about shock suggestions but everyone keeps recomending the bilsteins. I'm trying to find an inexpensive replacement for my '72 weekend driver and I'm trying to decide between the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks and the KYB GR-2.
Which is a better performing shock and what are people's opinions of the GR-2?
RockAuto has the GR-2 for $80/set and Gas-A-Just for $140/set. Is there really any difference between the two?
Which is a better performing shock and what are people's opinions of the GR-2?
RockAuto has the GR-2 for $80/set and Gas-A-Just for $140/set. Is there really any difference between the two?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
If you have stock springs with a steel rear leaf the KYB's will be fine. The Bilsteins shine when you're trying to control a fiberglass spring in the rear and heavier than stock front coils or a fiberglass front spring conversion. I had the standard KYB shocks on my 74 and they worked fine until I modified the springs. If I recall correctly people have said the GR2 KYBs tend to control the ride better than the standards. But I can tell you from experience the Bilsteins are night and day compared to the KYBs. They are perhaps the best mod I've made to my 74 as far as ride and handling go. If you can afford them go for the Bilsteins.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 670
From: FL
If you have stock springs with a steel rear leaf the KYB's will be fine. The Bilsteins shine when you're trying to control a fiberglass spring in the rear and heavier than stock front coils or a fiberglass front spring conversion. I had the standard KYB shocks on my 74 and they worked fine until I modified the springs. If I recall correctly people have said the GR2 KYBs tend to control the ride better than the standards. But I can tell you from experience the Bilsteins are night and day compared to the KYBs. They are perhaps the best mod I've made to my 74 as far as ride and handling go. If you can afford them go for the Bilsteins.
I replaced my KYB's with less an year on them and went to Bilstein's. Worth the dollar and like night and day. You get what you pay for.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
GR-2 is a basic replacement shock, while the gas-a-just is more performance oriented. I have the GR-2's on my F-41 equipped '69 and they're fine, but it's not a high performance shock. I have the others on my Monza, but they don't hold up particularly well. I've had two rears wear out prematurely (IMHO), but it's a weird size and my choices are a bit limited on that car. You get what you pay for with shocks.
Hans
Hans
I doubt it/
