Front Shocks

[Robert]

Ok, tired of these damn front shocks (see what I did there?)

 

Anyway, I am needing some serious heavy duty front shocks so I dont bounce down the road like a basket ball. I wanted some Bilsteins but cannot x reference anything to fit. Anyone know of a brand or substitue that will work?

 

 

Thought the stock shocks were bad so I replaced them and they are exactly the same....way too soft. Bought a pait of HD shocks and they also are the same. Bounces down the road badly.

 

 

Before I measure and start searching for a physical match, I am hoping someone has found a good set.

 

 

[MikeRL411]

For what vehicle ????????????????

 

It sounds like you have a front end wearout problem with your bushings at best.  Shocks won't repair a defective front end.

[banzai510(hainz)]

KYB MOMOMAX or" KYB GAS A JUST" for the price

 

be Honnest i ran cheap gabriel gas and thought they were OK

 

remember Datsuns are not Cadillacs.

also tires makes a different also.

[datzenmike]

Have you lowered the ride height????????? This is what it sounds like.

 

 

 

Everyone experiences and describes things differently. If you replaced the shocks it probably ran fine but is not to your liking. The shocks job is to resist movement and even more so, sudden violent movement and prevent oscillations like 'bouncing'. If the shock is too stiff you will be running on the air in the tires (like a beach ball) and that... will be bouncy and unregulated.

 

What tires? Hopefully light truck radials.

 

Tires have a recommended air pressure range. Try running as low as safely recommended on the sidewall. NEVER run under inflated.

[MikeRL411]

Have you lowered the ride height????????? This is what it sounds like.

 

 

 

Everyone experiences and describes things differently. If you replaced the shocks it probably ran fine but is not to your liking. The shocks job is to resist movement and even more so, sudden violent movement and prevent oscillations like 'bouncing'. If the shock is too stiff you will be running on the air in the tires (like a beach ball) and that... will be bouncy and unregulated.

 

What tires? Hopefully light truck radials.

 

Tires have a recommended air pressure range. Try running as low as safely recommended on the sidewall. NEVER run under inflated.

And NEVER run at the "Maximun Inflated Pressure" rating on the side wall unless you have a very rich sponsor in a "maximum mileage" contest.  Winners usually run 90 PSI and shred tires like a destruction derby.

[datzenmike]

Yes, the tire pressure should be aired up to mach an increase in load. Heavy load means more air to prevent the side walls flexing. Flex generates heat, and heat destroys tires. Follow the recommendations on the tire side wall for maximum and minimum pressures and  the owner's manual for loads and or passengers if a car.

[xsdg]

Robert: Given how much turbo/racing work you've done, I'm wondering if what you're looking for is more of a car suspension setup than a truck setup.  Shorter travel, shorter sidewalls, stiffer spring rate, heavier shocks.

 

And honestly, at least on my '85 RWD, the front suspension attachment points are pretty much as simple as they come.  You should be able to jury rig pretty much any shock to fit that has a through-bolt end (of reasonable width) and a threaded end.  Worst case, you weld a washer on the shaft, slap some bushings on, and then tighten it down with a nut.  Or just put nuts on either side and use thinner bushings if needed.  Just watch out that you might end up needing to reinforce the shock mounts, depending on how much force they're designed to withstand.

[Robert]

Robert: Given how much turbo/racing work you've done, I'm wondering if what you're looking for is more of a car suspension setup than a truck setup.  Shorter travel, shorter sidewalls, stiffer spring rate, heavier shocks.

 

And honestly, at least on my '85 RWD, the front suspension attachment points are pretty much as simple as they come.  You should be able to jury rig pretty much any shock to fit that has a through-bolt end (of reasonable width) and a threaded end.  Worst case, you weld a washer on the shaft, slap some bushings on, and then tighten it down with a nut.  Or just put nuts on either side and use thinner bushings if needed.  Just watch out that you might end up needing to reinforce the shock mounts, depending on how much force they're designed to withstand.

 

Yeah, sounds like I will have to grab a set of shocks from a larger vehicle and just modify them to fit.

[Robert]

For what vehicle ????????????????

 

It sounds like you have a front end wearout problem with your bushings at best.  Shocks won't repair a defective front end.

 

 

Ratsun ---->Datsun Discussion ---> Trucks ----> 720

 

:angel:

 

 

Front end is all new. Bushings, Balls, Idlers, Bearings, Tires, Brakes, and Shocks.

 

 

 

I guess when I said "bouncing" I wasnt being too descriptive. More like a "Boat Ride".

 

The shocks in the trucks are very soft and, of course, for the "80s ride". Bilstein makes a shock for the Toyotas of the same year and it makes a world of difference.....just thought someone has found some firmer shocks for the 720. I will do some measurements and search out a good pair of Bilsteins that work. Problem with our trucks is "spring rate"...its not progressive enough and our shocks (stock form) are very soft, or weak. The Toyota a friend built was just like the 720 as far as "bouncy" and when he put the Bilsteins in, it was VERY firm, no rebound, and handled 1000% better.

 

 

I will get some x reference numbers for a better shock.....stay tuned. (see what I did there?)

[banzai510(hainz)]

720?

get the Monomax or Gas a Just.

If rich get the Beilsteins

 

 

I rode a 720 and they were rought riding new

[giantcone]

Yough! (pronounced like 'dough' and not 'rough' ;-)

 

I just installed the KYB Monomax 565029 (front) and Gas-A-Justs KG5447 (rear) and my 2WD 720 rides so much better now.  I had some cheap Monroematics (I think, they were thin blue shocks) that were mostly shot after 45,000 miles on them.  I'm guessing I'll need to change these KYBs after 40-50k miles? ( I do mostly highway driving, but I will carry a 400ish lb motorcycle on the back now and then).

[ggzilla]

Too stiff shocks cause bouncing. Too soft causes wallowing. Although the 720 rides rough

[ilikefunkymusic]

On 4/25/2014 at 6:36 AM, Robert said:

 

 

Ratsun ---->Datsun Discussion ---> Trucks ----> 720

 

👼

 

 

Front end is all new. Bushings, Balls, Idlers, Bearings, Tires, Brakes, and Shocks.

 

 

 

I guess when I said "bouncing" I wasnt being too descriptive. More like a "Boat Ride".

 

The shocks in the trucks are very soft and, of course, for the "80s ride". Bilstein makes a shock for the Toyotas of the same year and it makes a world of difference.....just thought someone has found some firmer shocks for the 720. I will do some measurements and search out a good pair of Bilsteins that work. Problem with our trucks is "spring rate"...its not progressive enough and our shocks (stock form) are very soft, or weak. The Toyota a friend built was just like the 720 as far as "bouncy" and when he put the Bilsteins in, it was VERY firm, no rebound, and handled 1000% better.

 

 

I will get some x reference numbers for a better shock.....stay tuned. (see what I did there?)

Well, It's 7 years later! What did you decide to do about that