William Kelchner
Senior Member
How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?
Do All A's Have Shocks
- Thread starter oldmanandakid
- Start date
Jim Mason
Well-known member
take a look at the video of the tudor going over the 8x8's at speed about 19 second in. that will give you an idea of what shocks will do for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5HfHpf3mI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5HfHpf3mI
Ray in La Mesa
Well-known member
Bill Stipe shocks were about $850/4 but he has stopped production due to the economic situation, kinda like Brumfield heads.
juke joint johnny
Well-known member
I bought a 28 Roadster Pickup a few years ago that had no shocks ; When you went over a bump at 30 miles an hour the whole thing would Hop and you would be in the other lane !!!! Preety Scary !!!
Worked fine with original shocks .
John Cochran
bogiediver
Senior Member
Ditto...
I am not trying to contradict the norm that shocks are better on than off (I believe there should be shocks on the A); but my '29 Fordor does not have shocks right now, and when it goes over a bump, man-hole, etc., it does not skip or jump around. It is a very solid driving car. Could it be the weight of the Fordor, the springs, or what.
Just my opinion, but when the streering system in spot on, the Model A drives well with or without shocks.
Ron/IA
Just my opinion, but when the streering system in spot on, the Model A drives well with or without shocks.
Ron/IA
Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
I have noticed that people who do not have shocks and do not complain about the car jumping around have obvious (to me) bad springs. They may also need significant lubrication.
For the 30-31 cars you should be able to see about 1/2 the axle showing from under the front splash apron. Typically the bad spring cars have the axle way up behind and the shackles are push out.
The 30 fordor I had did not come with shocks. I did not drive it much until I fixed the significant suspension issues which included taking apart the springs and lubricating them. When I was done I had brakes that worked and springs that bounced. I took one ride and could not hold the car on the road above 25 MPH. I quickly finished rebuilding shocks and the car had no problems running 60 MPH.
So if you do not have shocks and you think your car drives nice then you have not driven a nice driving Model A. Seems too many have fairly low standards for a nice driving A.
For the 30-31 cars you should be able to see about 1/2 the axle showing from under the front splash apron. Typically the bad spring cars have the axle way up behind and the shackles are push out.
The 30 fordor I had did not come with shocks. I did not drive it much until I fixed the significant suspension issues which included taking apart the springs and lubricating them. When I was done I had brakes that worked and springs that bounced. I took one ride and could not hold the car on the road above 25 MPH. I quickly finished rebuilding shocks and the car had no problems running 60 MPH.
So if you do not have shocks and you think your car drives nice then you have not driven a nice driving Model A. Seems too many have fairly low standards for a nice driving A.
Ca. Kid
Member
Rowdy, I bought a set of Bill Stipes shocks last winter for my Murry town sedan. Made a big difference in handling. He still had a good inventory left at that time so they are still available. I think they were around $1000 including shipping.
TudooR31
Member
New front spring, shackles, tie rod, drag link, king pins, now looking at shocks which were missing on my car. Am finding sealed shocks seem to dominate the market. I think Mac's were selling the remaining Stipe units @ $1400 a set. They now carry a sealed shock stamped "Bosbension" or "Posbension" @ $235 each. Mike's carries sealed shocks @ $170 each. Snyder's has sealed shocks @ $165 each although they say the function is 'fair'.
So I'm hearing the sealed shocks are no good. What happens to them? Do they ride hard, soft, do they leak, not fit well, just don't improve the ride/handling?
Any recent personal experience with 'sealed' shocks, pro or con is appreciated.
So I'm hearing the sealed shocks are no good. What happens to them? Do they ride hard, soft, do they leak, not fit well, just don't improve the ride/handling?
Any recent personal experience with 'sealed' shocks, pro or con is appreciated.