Best Shocks for the money?

big blue

Founding Member

Jul 23, 2002

132

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lexington, ky

Feb 25, 2006

#1

• Feb 25, 2006

• #1

Well the title says it all. What are the best shocks for the money? I want performance on a budget. This is my DD and I don't want to dump all kinds of money in it.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Feb 25, 2006

#2

• Feb 25, 2006

• #2

What is the budget? Though they get kinda banged around on the threads, KYB's are hard to beat for the cash IMHO.

But that might be lower than your budget anyhow, so more info will help. Also note if your car is lowered or anything.

Good luck.

 

big blue

Founding Member

Jul 23, 2002

132

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lexington, ky

Feb 26, 2006

#3

• Feb 26, 2006

• #3

Car is stock except for weld in flowmasters. I don't plan on lowering it at all. My budget is minimal. I don't want crap so I am willing to pay for a decent shock that will last. I want a better than stock replacements but not much better. Tokico's are probably out my range and scope.

 

8

87'GTstang

New Member

Feb 16, 2004

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Feb 26, 2006

#4

• Feb 26, 2006

• #4

HISSIN50 said:

What is the budget? Though they get kinda banged around on the threads, KYB's are hard to beat for the cash IMHO.

But that might be lower than your budget anyhow, so more info will help. Also note if your car is lowered or anything.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

Is it another company I am thinking of or aren't/weren't KYB the OE supplier of the stock shocks?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Feb 26, 2006

#5

• Feb 26, 2006

• #5

87, I actually dont know for sure, though I had a vague recollection that Monroe was associated with the stock dampers.

I still think that KYB's are good bang for the buck (they are the price of stock replacements at the parts store).

Tokicos will set you back a decent amount more coin. But remember that suspension feel is almost as bad as 'what exhaust sounds good' in terms of how individualized it is. I have low standards so KYB's would be my ticket. Other people would rather vomit than run some of the lower-end stuff.

I will say that I got some like-new Tokicos from Shane for the weedhopping 94 and they are wonderful.

Good luck.

 

C

catman4115

New Member

Sep 9, 2005

76

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Rhode Island

Feb 26, 2006

#6

• Feb 26, 2006

• #6

which ones do you prefer i think they have the gr2 and agx

 

I

iwashmycar

20+ Year Stangneter

Apr 7, 2004

1,236

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39

Columbus, Ohio

Feb 26, 2006

#7

• Feb 26, 2006

• #7

KYBs for sure are a good deal....I just put the Gr-2 struts on the front and a set of Gas-a-just shocks on the rear. I have no complaints.

 

KDK1988GT

Founding Member

Jan 7, 2002

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Fredericton

Feb 26, 2006

#8

• Feb 26, 2006

• #8

iwashmycar said:

KYBs for sure are a good deal....I just put the Gr-2 struts on the front and a set of Gas-a-just shocks on the rear. I have no complaints.

Click to expand...

some as what I have on my car and they work fine... still get pritty good 60 foot times at the track also.. 1.6's...

 

CarFreakGT

20+ Year Stangneter

May 26, 2003

395

11

29

Louisville, KY

Feb 26, 2006

#9

• Feb 26, 2006

• #9

HISSIN50 said:

Also note if your car is lowered or anything. Good luck.

Click to expand...

Does anyone feel any differently RE: recommendations if the car is lowered? Like big blue, my 89 GT is stock height. I've considered lowering it (but not much), for a little better handling. Any comments? Thanks in advance.

 

SmokinSaleen

New Member

Nov 23, 2005

52

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Feb 26, 2006

#10

• Feb 26, 2006

• #10

I put KYB shocks/struts with a new set of springs and my old '86 rides a world better.

 

5

5.8CAPRI

Founding Member

Mar 3, 2001

58

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Lake Stevens, WA

Feb 26, 2006

#11

• Feb 26, 2006

• #11

I've got KYB's front and rear on mine and they get the job done well enough. Doesn't seem to be much in mid grade shocks. Either pay through the nose for top of line stuff, or SOL. KYB's are perfect for the daily abuser that aint a racer.

 

big blue

Founding Member

Jul 23, 2002

132

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lexington, ky

Feb 26, 2006

#12

• Feb 26, 2006

• #12

Seems like a KYB are the ones to get. Thanks everyone. Now to shell out money to get shocks

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Feb 26, 2006

#13

• Feb 26, 2006

• #13

CarFreakGT said:

Does anyone feel any differently RE: recommendations if the car is lowered? Like big blue, my 89 GT is stock height. I've considered lowering it (but not much), for a little better handling. Any comments? Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

I should have provided why I feel this way, I suppose. IMHO the cheaper dampers dont work as well when the car is lowered - the dampers simply dont have much compression or rebound travel to work with. This was the issue on the '94. But with a stock ride height (like my fox almost has), the cheaper dampers have more room to work with. Seems to me that cheaper dampers on dropped cars can feel a little harsher than a more expensive damper.

That is JMHO but it was worth mentioning (to me) as it was a concern when I was shoppin.

Good luck.

 

C

criticman

Member

Sep 7, 2003

723

1

16

Rome, GA

Feb 26, 2006

#14

• Feb 26, 2006

• #14

I love my Tokico HP's. I got the shocks, struts, and springs all for less than $700 shipped. It has been over a year, so I am blanking on the actual price.

 

PuterAmI

Member

Mar 29, 2003

513

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Madison, Alabama

Feb 27, 2006

#15

• Feb 27, 2006

• #15

big blue said:

This is my DD and I don't want to dump all kinds of money in it.

Click to expand...

I'm of the opposite thinking. My 84 is my daily driver. Since I spend so much time in it, I want it comfortable, sporty, fun and safe.

Best struts/shocks for the money (IMHO) are Bilstein.

Of course, the spring/strut/shock should be matched as a package (gearheads think h/c/i) or you will find yourself with a harsh ride.

 

5LugFoxFanatic

LOVE AND PEACE!

Founding Member

May 5, 2002

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Arctic Tundra Hell, Twin Cites, Minnesota, USA

Feb 27, 2006

#16

• Feb 27, 2006

• #16

Bilsteins are one of the best non adj shocks out there. I have KYB's and they sucked, but them, I road race. But for the street doing regular stuff, KYB's are a good cheap alternative over stock.

 

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Feb 27, 2006

#17

• Feb 27, 2006

• #17

i am very happy with my strange 10 way adjustables. they were about $250 for the pair.

hard to beat that price for that much adjustability

 

C

criticman

Member

Sep 7, 2003

723

1

16

Rome, GA

Feb 27, 2006

#18

• Feb 27, 2006

• #18

BTW, I paid less than $400 shipped for the Tokico setup. I found a receipt.

 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master

Apr 10, 2002

9,039

6

79

Charlotte, NC

Feb 27, 2006

#19

• Feb 27, 2006

• #19

Bilstein - I've gotten to where quite often I pull the factory shocks off the vehicle when it's brand new, and put the Bilstein's on. They're good - and if they're not abused, it's likely they'll hold up for the life of the vehicle. That's where the value comes in - you never buy another set.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Feb 27, 2006

#20

• Feb 27, 2006

• #20

Michael, I think your budget and his budget are a little different. I can't think of many (or any, arguably speaking) products better than Bilstein.