Chevy S10 need shocks - Bilstein or something else ?

[rfuerst911sc]

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 .

[mistertate]

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.

[rfuerst911sc]

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

[pwd72s]

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

[JackDidley]

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

[masraum]

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.

[herr_oberst]

Do Bilsteins still have a lifetime warranty?

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by masraum

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.

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.

[john70t]

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.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by masraum

I'm sure Bilstein or Koni would have been great, but I don't think they'd have been better enough for the expense.

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.

[speeder]

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=

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Do Bilsteins still have a lifetime warranty?

Yes

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

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.

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

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by speeder

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=

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 .

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by john70t

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.

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

[Tim Hancock]

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.

[GH85Carrera]

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.

[911 Rod]

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

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

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

SX 2820 I think. Its an overload shock.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

SX 2820 I think. Its an overload shock.

Overload as in it has springs on them ?