Chevy S10 need shocks - Bilstein or something else ?
 

So my 98 S10 2wd needs new shocks . It currently has worn out no name shocks . The truck is lowered but it was done with blocks on the rear and I think lowering spindles in the front . So that means standard stock length shocks .

Various S10 forums say Monroe/Gabriel and a host of brands I have never heard of are all junk . So what does that leave ? I know Bilsteins are good and can be had for about 320.00 for all four . Any others you recommend ? The truck is my 5.3L hot rod parts getter so no towing or heavy hauling . It does have a fiberglass cap on it . I will probably drive it 5k miles or less per year . Retirement has its perks :D .

Worked with an engineer that did some good stuff for Gabriel. He said he went to the factory and bear fat was part of the process, “where in the heck are you getting bear fat!?!?”
Said he showed up in a suit and for two days no one would talk to him. So he went to JC Penny and bought Wranglers and NASCAR shirts, next day everybody is like “Hey! How you doing?”
Couldn’t tell you which shocks to buy but you seem like one of the cooler dudes on here.

^^^ That's a funny story about the engineer . I can see that scenario play out . Appreciate the cool dude comment .

Koni Reds seem popular with the Mustang set...no experience, tho..I'm still running stock.

I ordered Gabriels today for my S10. I am not picky. Originals had oil leaking out 6 years ago when I built the truck.

Yep, for an S10, I would think a set of the better Gabriels or Monroes should be great. Just not the cheap models. I'm sure Bilstein or Koni would have been great, but I don't think they'd have been better enough for the expense. But then I don't think I've had Gabriel or Monroe anything on a vehicle in many, many years, Maybe now I'd think, "man, these are junk". I assume you won't be canyon carving or autoXing the S10. I still think Gabriel or Monroe will be good.

Do Bilsteins still have a lifetime warranty?

I wont have the Gabriels for a few days but they were around $210 for all four. Not the cheapies but not the best. Like I said I am not that picky, just tired of the boat floating thing.

For reference I had 'NAPA Performers' put on an old Corolla, by a supposed reputable company, in the fall. Too much money and then yikes.

In freezing temps they 'stuck' for a long time. Any pebble and the car bounced the car like a skateboard.
After a full year of fully-welded-suspension driving, they finally loosened up to normal.
There was no 'performance' involved afterwards.

The Bilstein advantage is not so much out-of-the-box performance as longevity. According to my understanding Bilsteins can be the most cost-efficient if you keep the vehicle long enough.

I usually go to Tire Rack's site just to see what is available for a particular vehicle. They always list whichever Bilsteins that are made for it, (sometimes several different shocks), as well as what ever else they are selling. It looks like there is only one Bilstein for your truck and a couple of KYB models, including one on closeout for pennies.

Bilstein shocks are great, I have them on every vehicle I own but truthfully, if your present shocks are blown-out, any new ones are going to be a huge improvement.

Here is their page for your rig:
https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/results.jsp?autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=S10+Sport +2wd&autoYear=1998&autoModClar=

Yes

I will have to take another look at the better Gabriel and Monroe shocks . What model Gabriel did you order ?

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 .

Based on other car forum discussions your experience is common . I am trying to avoid that if possible .

For daily driver type vehicles, I typically just buy cheap shocks. I don't think I have ever owned a car/truck that I have had to replace the shocks more than once. I have put expensive "sport" shocks/struts/springs on a couple past BMW and Porsche cars, but never on daily drivers. My 2011 Toyota Tundra with about 120k on the clock and still on original shocks could use some new shocks soon. I have not looked yet, but am confident I won't be buying the "best" replacements. It is not a canyon carver or race car.

I just bought four completely assembled no name shock/strut/spring assemblies for my old '08 240k daily driver Cayenne. I paid less for this set (269.51) than what one OE strut only costs. Am guessing they will be just fine for my daily commute. The worn out originals were long overdue and were giving me a jarring ride over railroad tracks and rough sections of road. I don't expect these new ones to last 10+ years like the originals, but I am betting this car will be used up before these new shocks give up the ghost. We shall see....


The new "cheap" front struts and the old originals.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1726835229.jpg

My El Camino had KYB air shocks in the rear that would not last 12 months before leaking. I gave up on them and changed to Bilstiens and air bags for load leveling. The KYBs in the front started leaking and replaced with Bilstiens. The Bilstiens have been on there for 20 year or more, and stall work great. An air bag will blow on occasion, but they are easy to replace.

I think availability is going to be the issue for an old truck.
Then you have to think sport or luxury.

SX 2820 I think. Its an overload shock.

Overload as in it has springs on them ?

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 .

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 .

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).

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. :cool:

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.

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 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 .

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 .

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

The common retort "kill your back"

Was obliquely referenced

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.

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 . SmileWavy

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.

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.

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! :)

^^^ 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 :D . But for my purposes they will do fine .

Check your receipt. I think you got Bilstiens.