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I purchased this last year and the past few times I took it out, I started to notice that the rear end seems to be too soft. My street is in need of new paving but for now there are quite a few dips and heaves in the road. Seems like the car is really bouncing over all of them. Here's a shot of what is installed, just wondering if there is a way to stiffen up the ride.
You have a composite rear spring, cant make out which rating is checked/punched out on the label but if it is 330 you already have a stiff spring.
What shock brand are those?
I suspect the shocks, invest in a good set of Bilsteins.
Looks like silver overspray on the rotting lower shock bushing.
You have a composite rear spring, cant make out which rating is checked/punched out on the label but if it is 330 you already have a stiff spring.
What shock brand are those?
I suspect the shocks, invest in a good set of Bilsteins.
Looks like silver overspray on the rotting lower shock bushing.
Shocks are KYB, I think the spring is checked off as Sport.
Might be camera and maybe not related but is that shock mount bent? And that rear caliper is or was leaking.
or bushing shot as mentioned does not help.
You aren't the first person with KYB shocks to complain about a soft rear end. Were those custom made by KYB for VB&P?
I'd suggest trying a pair of B8 Bilstein Sports in the rear. I run them on my 80 with a 385 lb VB&P spring. The spring may still be a bit soft, but it won't be bouncy anymore.
Bilstein B6 is what you want. The B8's are shortened for lower ride height. I have the B6's all around with a TRW 340 composite rear, ACDELCO 45H0174 front. 28 1/2 inches from floor to fender arch and rides mint! (for a Vette) https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/pa...n-buying-guide
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Aug 8, 2021 at 10:08 PM.
Bilstein B6 is what you want. The B8's are shortened for lower ride height. I have the B6's all around with a TRW 340 composite rear, ACDELCO 45H0174 front. 28 1/2 inches from floor to fender arch and rides mint! (for a Vette) https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/pa...n-buying-guide
I thought so too, for the same reasons. But I'd still suggest B8s.
I have B8s in the rear of my (not particularly lowered) car. Anectdotally, it seems that C3 B8s might be stiffer than B6s, even though they are about the same for most other applications (other than length).
I thought so too, for the same reasons. But I'd still suggest B8s.
I have B8s in the rear of my (not particularly lowered) car. Anectdotally, it seems that C3 B8s might be stiffer than B6s, even though they are about the same for most other applications (other than length).
[QUOTE=interpon;1603845818]Might ba camera and maybe not related but is that shock mount bent? And that rear caliper is or was leaking.
or bushing shot as mentioned does not help.[/QUOTE
Calipers were leaking but I recently replaced them and the rotors. I'll check the shock mount, didn't notice the angle before.
I went ahead on placed my order with rockauto. Curious now to see how improved the ride will be. My KYB's are old and tired, should have been changed awhile ago.
I don't know what to say but the B6's work well and I would buy them again when the time comes.
I should have added that my 80 has a (non-stock) composite spring. B6 for the steel spring, B8 for composite, seems to be the Forum consensus.
Originally Posted by slopoke17
I went ahead on placed my order with rockauto. Curious now to see how improved the ride will be. My KYB's are old and tired, should have been changed awhile ago.
Originally I had installed Gabriel shocks not knowing about the composite spring/shock combo and the rear was floaty.
Originally Posted by Bikespace
B6 for the steel spring, B8 for composite, seems to be the Forum consensus.
According to Bilstein both the B6 and B8 are valved the same with 2 inches less of downward travel. So I just took their recommendation. They work for me, no complaints, no floatingness. I could be wrong, but maybe the firmness is coming from the limited downward travel?? Interesting enough for a Toyota Tacoma the Bilstein B6 is the standard length shock while the B8 shock is for a raised Tacoma.
I should have added that my 80 has a (non-stock) composite spring. B6 for the steel spring, B8 for composite, seems to be the Forum consensus.
So what did you get?
I found out the same info regarding dampening so I went with the B6 for stock ride height. I want to keep the car level and I thought the rear end may be slightly lower with the shorter B8 shock.
I found out the same info regarding dampening so I went with the B6 for stock ride height. I want to keep the car level and I thought the rear end may be slightly lower with the shorter B8 shock.
Please keep us updated when you get them installed!
B8's with a mono spring. I have one in my '71 and put B6's all around. The rear is too bouncy when going over larger bumps. It's fine in most environments and on the highway. But the B6's in back are noticeably too bouncy at times. I just wasn't ready to dump more money into shocks to replace them.....but if I could justify the expense, I would.
While I'm waiting for the shocks to arrive I decided to start removing the KYB's. I checked the mounting plate for the monoleaf spring and found all four bolts were loose and 1/4" out from final location. The plate rattled when I hit it so I checked the mounting bolts, nice surprise! Rockauto is sending the shocks from opposite side of the world so I won't have them till next Tuesday. Hindsight I should have paid more for a local provider and would be done by now.
Bilstein's finally arrived today, haven't had a chance to test drive it yet, I'm going to grease the front end tomorrow. The old KYB's were so soft I could easily compress them and then just the pressure of my thumb would stop them from expanding. As far as the car height with the new shocks, I took measurements to the underside of the center of the wheel arch. They added almost another half inch to the rear. It was 27 3/4" to just about 28 1/4". As mentioned above I went with the B6 for stock ride height, whatever that is? No change to the front at 28 1/2", I just replaced the fronts last month with KYB. At some point I'll switch them as well to the Bilstein's.
77 rear suspension adjustment
