Modern Shocks

TinCup

TinCup

Well-known member
For those that have converted to modern shocks for their A I am interested in their evaluation and opinion. My car is a driven almost every weekend and a smoother ride would sure make driving more enjoyable. I know that Keith Davis makes a bolt on kit for less than $200 dollars. I have stock rebuilt shocks on my car now.
 
And what's wrong with your ride, I have a 31 tudor with stock shocks and enjoy the ride. Do you have the correct SPRINGS on your car, are your shocks working? Have read that many who go to the modern shocks don't like them, probably because the shocks installed are too "stiff". JMO
Paul in CT
 
After driving my p/u for years without shocks and not having unlimited funds opted for the modern shocks and have no complaints, really improved the ride and handling..... Clyde
 
Another question about modern shocks. How does the Ken Davis kit compare to the kits the catalogs sell. Difference in ride and handling? I noticed kens need drilling up front but not in the rear and the catalog ones need drilling in the rear but not up front.
 
jaguar6165 said:
Another question about modern shocks. How does the Ken Davis kit compare to the kits the catalogs sell. Difference in ride and handling? I noticed kens need drilling up front but not in the rear and the catalog ones need drilling in the rear but not up front.
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Drilling the whole in the front axle makes them stronger than the ones that have a bracket that wrap around the front axel. One point is stronger rather than having four points where the bracket could break. (imho kens look nicer, and cleaner. Not so obvious) Im a huge ken davis fan, on all his products. Idk about the catalog ones drilling in the back, idk why you would have to? Order kens, you wont be dissapointed.
 
TinCup said:
For those that have converted to modern shocks for their A I am interested in their evaluation and opinion. My car is a driven almost every weekend and a smoother ride would sure make driving more enjoyable. I know that Keith Davis makes a bolt on kit for less than $200 dollars. I have stock rebuilt shocks on my car now.
Click to expand...

A "smoother" (read softer) ride on a model A starts with properly rebuilt springs...This subject has been covered many times on this forum..
After that modern shocks can definetly improve the ride...Choosing the proper shock is not easy though..It involves understanding compression and rebound rates as related to the total weight and the unsprung weight of the car..Buying a shock that mechanically fits the available space does NOT get the job done...Generally "kits" are only available with one type of shocks...It is difficult to find a shock that fits mechanically but is available in different compression/rebound rates unless you go to racing shocks.
Racing shocks are available that are adjustable over a wide range of rates but are very expensive unless found on Ebay etc. They also generally require fabricating mounts...
In the end, a model A CAN be made to ride very soft....It just depends on how much time and money you want to spend tinkering.
 
I agree with this. I had a set that clamped on up front and after a short while one of the clamp on brackets broke off and got lost.

Logan said:
Drilling the whole in the front axle makes them stronger than the ones that have a bracket that wrap around the front axel. One point is stronger rather than having four points where the bracket could break. (imho kens look nicer, and cleaner. Not so obvious) Im a huge ken davis fan, on all his products. Idk about the catalog ones drilling in the back, idk why you would have to? Order kens, you wont be dissapointed.
Click to expand...
 
I had a set of tube type on the 30 roadster and the rears are great and do a good job. I removed the front clamp on ones as they stiffened up the front too much (tooth jarring ride) and replaced with rebuilt Model A. The ride is well balanced now.
As for drilling the front axle, I've never done it but I think it would drill easy as it's pretty malleable.
 
I use Snyder's kit. They are the only ones that I know of that use regular hydraulic shocks -not gas charged. This gives a smooth ride.People in our club with gas charged shocks complain of a harsh ride.I have 5000 miles on them and like them.I have had no trouble with the mounting-clamp on front.
 
"
Group,

"How hard is it to drill a hole in the front axle ? Is the metal heat treated ?

Marc "

I'm thinking it's not too hard to drill holes in the front I-Beam axle. Many Hot Rodders enjoyed drilled front axles. It's just a regular heat treated forging and soft enough to be drilled.

skip. As for shocks I enjoy the lever action ones that the Ford's came with.
 
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