Chevy S10 need shocks - Bilstein or something else ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Gabriel has a product line called Max Control . Looks like a good candidate as it is a gas charged monotube design with solid reviews and decent pricing . Online vendors are a little sketchy on availability for my S10 . I have a friend that manages an O'Reillys I will see if he can get them .

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Overload as in it has springs on them ?

Yes, a low buck coil over.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

Yes, a low buck coil over.

I am curious if they will be a compliant or rough ride . Guess it depends on the spring rating .

[masraum]

I would think that anything with an additional spring would make the ride less compliant assuming the vehicle isn't carrying a heavier load (or already under-sprung).

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Appreciate the link I did go to TR to take a look . The KYB on closeout is a twin tube style . I prefer a monotube. KYB has a solid monotube style called Monomax but they are priced like Bilstein . Why buy a copy when you can have the original .

The KYB Gas-adjust are mono tube and $216 for the set of 4. The Bilsteins are ~$340. for the set of 4. I'll admit that decisions like this can drive me crazy, (I'm the king of over thinking things), but you got a good deal on the truck and you like it so that would justify spending the extra hundred for Bilsteins. And yes, they do ride better than other brands. AND perform better.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

The KYB Gas-adjust are mono tube and $216 for the set of 4. The Bilsteins are ~$340. for the set of 4. I'll admit that decisions like this can drive me crazy, (I'm the king of over thinking things), but you got a good deal on the truck and you like it so that would justify spending the extra hundred for Bilsteins. And yes, they do ride better than other brands. AND perform better.

Yeah, if that's the question $216 vs $340 for avg quality vs high quality, then it seems like a no brainer. Spring the extra dough for the better stuff. If the difference was $216 vs $500 it might not be quite as clear cut, especially depending upon how much the vehicle will be used and how it will be used. I'd probably spring for the Bilsteins, but then I also tend to drive everything a bit harder than most.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I am curious if they will be a compliant or rough ride . Guess it depends on the spring rating .

I am expecting a rough ride. I am ok with that. Has to be better than the bouncy ride I have now. I daily drove Corvettes most of my life so a rough ride is normal for me.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by speeder

The KYB Gas-adjust are mono tube and $216 for the set of 4. The Bilsteins are ~$340. for the set of 4. I'll admit that decisions like this can drive me crazy, (I'm the king of over thinking things), but you got a good deal on the truck and you like it so that would justify spending the extra hundred for Bilsteins. And yes, they do ride better than other brands. AND perform better.

I found a website that has all 4 Bilsteins for my truck for $319.00 with free shipping . I might be able to find KYB's a little cheaper . But for basically 100 bucks difference I am leaning towards the Bilsteins . I am waiting to hear from my buddy at O'Reilly to see what he has available .

[speeder]

How would you like to have a **** ride for the next 5 years because you saved $100? And yeah, some lower cost shocks and struts definitely have a terrible ride.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by speeder

How would you like to have a **** ride for the next 5 years because you saved $100? And yeah, some lower cost shocks and struts definitely have a terrible ride.

You make a very valid point . Thanks for the direct reply .

[masraum]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I am expecting a rough ride. I am ok with that. Has to be better than the bouncy ride I have now. I daily drove Corvettes most of my life so a rough ride is normal for me.

I also prefer a "rough" ride to a floaty ride.

[TimT]

The common retort "kill your back"

Was obliquely referenced

I might be able to find KYB's a little cheaper

[speeder]

Originally Posted by masraum

I also prefer a "rough" ride to a floaty ride.

But you don’t have to settle for either one. Good dampners, (shocks), are engineered to provide both a nice if firm ride and great performance. And the really good ones, like Bilstein and Koni, spent the extra R&D $$ to tailor each product to the individual vehicle.

And Bilsteins do wear out, I just replaced the rears on my MB w124 sedan. The old ones still had strong compression but no rebound. Shocks are super easy to test off of the car, just put them on the ground and compress them and watch them rebound a few times. Shocks that are completely blown out will have no action whatsoever but other ones can still tell a tale. It’s not rocket science.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by speeder

But you don’t have to settle for either one. Good dampners, (shocks), are engineered to provide both a nice if firm ride and great performance. And the really good ones, like Bilstein and Koni, spent the extra R&D $$ to tailor each product to the individual vehicle.

And Bilsteins do wear out, I just replaced the rears on my MB w124 sedan. The old ones still had strong compression but no rebound. Shocks are super easy to test off of the car, just put them on the ground and compress them and watch them rebound a few times. Shocks that are completely blown out will have no action whatsoever but other ones can still tell a tale. It’s not rocket science.

I guess I was taking about "firm" then. I had a Miata with bowings and aftermarket springs that the boosters were supposed to be good with. The ride was firm. I drove a cat once with no shocks and bad shocks. I've seen pretty folks driving a car with bad shocks. Weak/bad shocks result in a bouncy vehicle. My old Miata want bouncy at all.

[rfuerst911sc]

I ordered the Bilsteins this morning , total price to my door $319.74 . As long as the vendor ships and they arrive undamaged I think this is a good deal .

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

The new "cheap" front struts and the old originals.

Only with this particular poster...can I not visually tell the difference..between old parts and new. [tipping hat]

The old S-10 is not a bad vehicle and worth saving IMO.

While living in SF I helped a friend out who bought in LA and sold them through local vendors.
He bought a couple.
We raced at 80-95 through the 101 mountains at night until my foot suddenly went to the floor.
Immediately pulled over and called. Rear trans seal sprung a leak in a spiral on the underside.
Got trans fluid at Walmart, filled er up, continued in baby mode. Mostly.
It drove very nice the rest of the way back.

[Steve Carlton]

I used to buy Gabriel Striders. T think they were about $17 each. In the ‘70s. I haven’t bought car shocks for ages. Bought some Öhlins, but they were for sport touring bikes. Öhlins is Swedish for Magic Carpet Ride.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I ordered the Bilsteins this morning , total price to my door $319.74 . As long as the vendor ships and they arrive undamaged I think this is a good deal .

You won't be sorry. PU trucks, (even little ones), have unique ride issues and need all the help they can get. I have Bilsteins on my '99 F-250 which may have been a waste since nothing will give it a smooth ride but they dampen the bumps better than anything else I could have installed. Happy motoring!

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Thanks . I already have tracking info so that's a good sign . My expectations for the Bilsteins is solid performance and longevity . An S10 will never be a Cadillac . But for my purposes they will do fine .

[Steve Carlton]

Check your receipt. I think you got Bilstiens.