Shocks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Windsor Connecticut
Shocks
I recently put some KYB gas shocks on the front of my 84 , A friend offered to basically give me some Bilstein B6 rear shocks “ they are new “ can I run two different type of shocks or is it best to stay with one type. And no I don’t have the Z1 Suspension. Would like to Get some input on this one
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 292
Likes: 58
From: Freeport, Illinois
I'm not an expert, but my personal opinion is that, yes, it's "best" to have all four the same. That being said, I don't think it hurts anything to have them mismatched, front to rear. You may have different stiffness and/or rebound rates, but if you don't like it, just change it. Back in the 60's and 70's a lot of guys put air shocks, helper springs, etc. on just the back of their cars. May have been a less than desirable ride and handling experience, but it's what was done in those days.
I would point out that if you just changed the front shocks and not the rear, you already have mis-matched shocks, if only because the fronts are new and the rear are old. I would try the Bilsteins and see if you like them as long as they're free. My personal choice would be the same all the way around, but again, just change it if you don't like it, keep them if you do. Like I said, this is just my personal opinion I don't know how sound of advice it is.
You could also do some research and see how close the specs are between the two shocks as far as stiffness, rebound rates, etc. That will give you an idea of how mismatched they are.
I would point out that if you just changed the front shocks and not the rear, you already have mis-matched shocks, if only because the fronts are new and the rear are old. I would try the Bilsteins and see if you like them as long as they're free. My personal choice would be the same all the way around, but again, just change it if you don't like it, keep them if you do. Like I said, this is just my personal opinion I don't know how sound of advice it is.
You could also do some research and see how close the specs are between the two shocks as far as stiffness, rebound rates, etc. That will give you an idea of how mismatched they are.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
While having two different types of shocks on my vehicle goes against my personal sensibilities, I doubt you'd experience any problems doing it.
I'd take the new free Bilsteins for the rear, and buy a pair of new Bilsteins for the front. KYB's are a decent shock for the wife's daily driver, but they are not a performance shock that is in the same league as the Bilsteins or KONI or QA-1.
I'd take the new free Bilsteins for the rear, and buy a pair of new Bilsteins for the front. KYB's are a decent shock for the wife's daily driver, but they are not a performance shock that is in the same league as the Bilsteins or KONI or QA-1.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 86
While having two different types of shocks on my vehicle goes against my personal sensibilities, I doubt you'd experience any problems doing it.
I'd take the new free Bilsteins for the rear, and buy a pair of new Bilsteins for the front. KYB's are a decent shock for the wife's daily driver, but they are not a performance shock that is in the same league as the Bilsteins or KONI or QA-1.
I'd take the new free Bilsteins for the rear, and buy a pair of new Bilsteins for the front. KYB's are a decent shock for the wife's daily driver, but they are not a performance shock that is in the same league as the Bilsteins or KONI or QA-1.
