Hey Folks,

I'm looking to improve the ride my '73 Duster. These Tucson road feel like cobblestone half time, so I would like to improve the smoothness of my ride. I will (at some point) look to replace the rear springs as well as they are saggy, but I think shocks are a good starting point.

I have seen recommendations on FABO and some here for the Monroe Max-Air, Monroe-Matic Plus, KYB Gas-A-Just, and Blisteins (though I can't find a part number). Any comments on a good choice for some handling improvement as well a ride smoothness improvement?

Currently there are some blue shocks (monroe?) on there with no obvious markings but certainly older.

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'73 Gold Duster - /6

James,

I used to recommend the Edelbrocks, but they apparently are no longer made. I really like the Hotchkis shocks, but they are pricey. I have heard good things about the Bilsteins - also not cheap. If I were to guess, I would say the Hotchkis are the way to go if you can afford them.

KYBs are fine but they do NOT have a smooth ride. Monroe will be fine but will be a substantial step down from Bil or Hotch in handling and smoothness. I have Max-Airs on my 68 Dart rear and like the adjustability for loads. They handle well and ride fine but not stellar.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Does anyone have a part number for the Bilstein shocks? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

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'73 Gold Duster - /6

I don't know the part number but I do know Firm Feel sells the Bilsteins

http://www.firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_shocks.html

on the D150,, and this is a truck that rode as smooth as a flying carpet on Autozone Monroe shocks,,, first 5000 miles on KYB's the ride was very firm and bouncy,
after that,, now at approx 18k miles,, the ride is good,, not nearly as cushioned as the Monroe's, but not bad and better stability-sway control.

I put KYB gas-a-just shocks on my 89 Ford E-150 conversion van. It rides totally smooth, but weighs over 6200 pounds. Not really a valid comparison.

I will say that air shocks on the back of an A body are a bad idea. Stock, the upper shock mounts are not designed to carry the full weight of the car. If you put too much load on them by pressurizing the air shock to stiffen the ride or raise the rear end, you will eventually rip the upper shock mounts out going over a bump. Not good.

Air bag suspension is different than an air shock and is a good thing.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

I have put KYB's on my '67, then transferred that to my '73 (and now that set up is in my other Feather Duster, and they seem to work better on the later heavier bodies over 3200 lbs... I have them on my Hyperpak Duster with the 6 leaf rear springs and the 340/360 bars up front and everything rides much better than the gabriels, slant 6 bars, and sunk 4 leaf rear springs....

Any comments on maintaining stock ride height? I read the Bilsteins are for lowered a-bodies.

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'73 Gold Duster - /6

They work fine at stock height. Quite well actually, controlling oversized (1" I think?) bars. I use them in a daily.

KYB gas-a-just shocks

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1964 Dart GT

There are two types of KYB shocks that were offered for my '79 D100 on rockauto. The GR2 was under "original ride quality" and the Gas-A-Just was under "Increased Performance/ Handling". I looked up your car on rockauto and they only offer the Gas-A-Just.
(KG4509 for the front/ KG5511 for the rear).
I purchased the Gas-A-Just and they were a little stiff at first. However This could be because my original shocks were toast and I was used to the soft ride. The ride is not harsh but its no cadillac either. I still avoid the "potholes" and "groves" in the roads around here. Over all I am happy with them.

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~Nic

For stock bars/springs you can get away with gas-a-justs. For stiffer bars/springs the bilstiens are a better choice. The world won't end if you use kyb's with stiff springs, the ride will just be rougher.