Any suggestions for a good set of shocks to improve the handling of my Dart?
What have you tried and how do you like them?

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Grandpa's 1974 Dart Custom 4 door 225 auto, Aluminum Radiator, 1920 Holley.

I like KYB they are pritty good dont know about the others I hear edelbrocks are goos too.

good* I have to stop drinking the bong water

I have KYB's, installed when I did a front end rebuild, disk brake swap, torsion bar swap, and tire/wheel upgrade. The ride is definitely firmer and more controlled than it was with the worn out cheapie shocks, ancient and/or missing bushings, and skinny torsion bars. I think the KYB's are good for the money.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

I've been using KYBs on A-bodies for years, and liking them. But it seems like everyone who's tried both the KYBs and the newer Edelbrock IAS units definitely prefers the Edelbrocks. I haven't yet had occasion to try the Edelbrocks.

Then there are the very costly, very premium, very adjustable Spax units from England...how much of a handling improvement are you after, and what's your budget look like?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

There's a lot of performance handling shocks out there for A-bodies. Perhaps the best off the shelf ones were Konis, but I found out they've been discontinued when I talked to the Koni reps at PRI. They did mention that they could revalve their drag shocks to work for handling, or rebuild a used set if you can find them. While I've only experienced Konis from the passenger seat of an MR2, they make about the most serious shocks out there short of custom racing shocks.

KYB Gas-A-Justs are a good blend of handling and value. They're what I currently have on my Dart.

Some other shocks that are supposed to be pretty good but I haven't got any experience with include Edelbrock IAS, Rancho RS9000 (off road truck shocks, but there's a part that crosses over to A-bodies), and QA1. Note that QA1 has both drag and handling shocks, so watch out for which ones you get. It seems that QA1 may have come in from the circle track world; it's only recently that I've seen them on street cars.

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"Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer
'66 Dart - turbocharged 225
My blog - Mad Scientist Matt's Lair

I've run QA1 Stocker Star single adjustables and liked them, but $140 each is a lot for some people. Rode quite well with 1.04" torsion bars. I also have some direct fit Carerra oval track shocks that I have yet to drive on that used to be sold through Mopar Performance before Carerra was bought by QA1. At one time I used a Monroe Gas Magnum Nissan Pathfinder front shock on my Dart and it worked great, but they aren't made any more. The Spax shocks are good, but the US dollar being in the toilet has driven the cost of those up to the same as the QA1s. I know a guy that changed the mounts on a GM A-body shock for his Valiant and they work very well even with 1.20" torsion bars. The Edelbrock shocks work and ride well if you don't run too big a torsion bar. The KYBs are ok if a bit harsh.

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Joshua

The KYBs are fine and work better than most if not all parts store shocks. Bang for low buck ($28/ea) is best.

Edelbrock IAS shocks are a big step up, in terms of all around use. They handle at least as well as the KYBs and are WAY WAY less harsh. The ride is very nice, with no sacrifice in handling. Well worth the $75/ea if you can afford them.

I have not been enamored with my SPAX shocks. I haven't finished dialing them in yet, though.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Ive been scouting Ebay for a deal on KYBs to match up with the pr I bought on there a while back for my car. No deals lately, I pd less for the front KYBs than is usually asked for a basic set of Gabriels or Monroes.

One thing though; The ones I have in the rafters for the Volare are Gas-a-Justs. Ive seen alot of KYB, GR2s out there recently. What is the difference? (yes I have found out that one is "monotube" the other (IIRC is twin tube but waht does taht mean in suspension/ride control?)

Ive E mailed a couple of the vendors about a pkg price for a set for the Fury as well as a pr of rears for the Volare. I do know that the 2 cars both use the same part no. on the rears; the fronts are different between them though. I stuck a pr. of Gabriel Red Ryder gas shocks on the back of the Fury when I got the springs rearched, and even that was an improvement over the originals. I had 'em sitting here, so they didnt cost me anything.
If nothing else I need a pr for the front of that one. (project for another day, once I get back to work getting a real paycheck again, another story)

GR2 = KYB's "value line" or "OE replacement" range of shocks. Comparable to Gabriel or Monroe. If you're going to buy KYB, get the Gas-a-just units.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Oh, I see. In any of the shops that I worked at, all they ever carried were
either gabriel (mostly), or Monroe, regardless what the box was labeled
or what color they were painted to try to claim "exclusivity".
I do remember both brands had 2 lines of shocks (Monroe more like 3 or 4 if you count the newer Sensatrac and reflex) for most cars. I never had much experience with the KYBs.