[Rob in NH]

What shock would be good for a stock suspension on a 69 firebird ?

[chrisp]

A simple gas charged shock will be fine.

[Verdoro 68]

KYB or Bilstein if you want to get kind of fancy.

[Rob in NH]

I got the KYB shocks

[Rob in NH]

they came in late this afternoon so I installed them, was surprised to find out it raised my ride height an inch.

[vertigto]

Heard some good things about Varishock.

[69f bird]

I switched from KYBs to Bilsteins in my '69 Firebird convertible...made a world of difference in ride and handling

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by vertigto

Heard some good things about Varishock.

I run the Varishock SS in my 69 bird and I love them. I don't have anywhere near the stock suspension though.

The SS would still be a pretty decent shock for even a stock suspension car like the OP has. However it's drawback is the fact that the front shocks must be installed on top of the control arm. They can not be mounted through the bottom like a typical factory replacement shock. That means dropping the lower control arm, removing the spring, then putting it back together.

I don't know if I would go to that amount of trouble on a stock suspension car. If I was changing springs, I absolutely would recommend this route if it's in the person's budget.

I had Gabriel VST's for a while when my suspension was just comprised of hotchkis springs front and rear. I actually thought they were decent, especially for the price point. Had decent ride and damping characteristics.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by Rob in NH

they came in late this afternoon so I installed them, was surprised to find out it raised my ride height an inch.

Shocks are just dampers and do not have any influence on static ride height. Springs are what determine ride height.

[Rob in NH]

Thats what I thought too. When I got done installing the front shocks I thought it looked different, seamed to look taller so I measured the rear quarters before I installed the rears and it did raise it an inch. I never thought it would do that either but it did.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by Rob in NH

Thats what I thought too. When I got done installing the front shocks I thought it looked different, seamed to look taller so I measured the rear quarters before I installed the rears and it did raise it an inch. I never thought it would do that either but it did.

It's literally impossible for a shock to alter the static ride height. Did a coil spring become misaligned in the pocket? Did you drive the car after you put it back down on the ground?

[PontiacJim1959]

............

[indymanjoe]

Originally Posted by Rob in NH

What shock would be good for a stock suspension on a 69 firebird ?

As Chrisp said. Stock works just fine. I have NAPA Gold gas replacements and have No issues with body roll or bouncing tire wear etc..

[RocktimusPryme]

The decision may have already been made, but the Bilstein is a good mid priced choice.


I originally used a stock replacement type Monroe shock just to have something new. Then maybe a year later put on the better Bilstein shocks. Noticeable difference.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Rob in NH

they came in late this afternoon so I installed them, was surprised to find out it raised my ride height an inch.

Was there any change after the car was moved around and driven a bit? The suspension may have simply needed to settle after the car had been jacked up.

[Rob in NH]

I went out to the garage last nite and took a measurement and it is still over 26 inches on both sides, before it was at 25.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by Rob in NH

I went out to the garage last nite and took a measurement and it is still over 26 inches on both sides, before it was at 25.

Have you actually driven the car, though?

[Rob in NH]

Yes i have.

[Sirrotica]

One way to be sure would be to disconnect the shocks at the bottom and set it back down with them disconnected, bounce the car several times and remeasure it. I've replaced hundreds of gas shocks/struts and never seen any of them lift a car perceptible to the eye.

There are different length shocks that will fit cars that they weren't designed for, and have the same attachments on the ends. Is there any chance the shocks are incorrect, and too long bottoming out, and holding the car up? Seems that the ride would be destroyed if that were the case though.............

[Rob in NH]

Shocks arent bottomed out, it rides much better than it did with the old shocks. But if it makes everyone happy and even though my measurements were correct i'll agree with everyone that it didn't raise the car.