best shocks for a daily driver 73 dart

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Last few sets of shocks I've bought were KYB. Some members have less than high praise for them but they were decent enough in my opinion. I have also used Monroe before and been happy with them, however the offshore manufacturing may affect quality. Sorry, don't remember part #s.
 
whatever is cheap and available at rockauto or the local

sachs fronts are quite decent (to my knowledge they're not offering a rear at the moment.)

just don't bargain basement it, and you'll be fine.
 
Here's another vote for KYBs They're a big upgrade from the likes of Monroe/Gabriel, without making new problems. They always went in easily, worked well, and lasted long for me, at reasonable cost. That's the KG4509 front (yes, even tho the linked listing says "truck/rear") and the KG5511 rear, for all A-bodies.
 
slantsixdan said:
Here's another vote for KYBs They're a big upgrade from the likes of Monroe/Gabriel, without making new problems. They always went in easily, worked well, and lasted long for me, at reasonable cost. That's the KG4509 front (yes, even tho the linked listing says "truck/rear") and the KG5511 rear, for all A-bodies.
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I agree Gabriel or Monroe. What ever is priced better. Amazon gas Monroe at like 25-26 bucks each delivered.
I went through this yesterday. As I Gabriel on a car. After many years of bouncing around one seal leaked some fluid. Yes gas charged has some fluid too.
I have no problem with KYB.
In fact the upgrade to KYB was not much h more. I bought them instead. Autozone, Advanced, O'Reilly were 65-70 for rears. Amazon was 42 delivered and had a gift card so was a no brainer. I got the last of the Front KYB at 33 but says more on way.
The ride of kyb might be slightly harsher but we have bad street.
My wife's 2008 beater Honda Civic coupe had need for new factory shocks Kyb makes a factoryreplacement so KYB it was.. Does not ride harsh and handles like on rails.
If on budget Monroe all the way.they are a bargain for what you get
 
I have Bilsteins on my 73 scamp and they are what I would recommend for all street driven A bodies. I have used the Monroe and Napa brand which at the time I think was also Monroe, the Bilsteins have a much better road feel and sportier drive than the mushy/softer Monroe in comparison
 
KYB's on my 66 Barracuda.

Make sure front bushings are good as well as a rebuilt steering coupler.
 
So I put Monroes in my Dart this summer. My old shocks were very old so I replaced them. Wish I hadn't. I don't know what brand my old shocks but were far superior. Not impressed with the Monroes. Maybe made in China?
 
I researched this off and on for a couple of years and made the decision to bite the bullet for Bilsteins. Sure you can get much cheaper sets, but you get what you pay for in the long run and for a daily driver it seems that Bilsteins are the go-to before stepping up to a single or double adjustable.
 
Kyb

VOMIT.jpeg
 
Rapid Robert said:
what brand/part # would you guys recommend? thank you for your time. RR
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What size torsion bars do you have?

This is ultimately the most important factor when selecting shocks. The wheel rate and the shocks dampening capability have to be in the same ballpark.

KYB's work "ok" with factory undersized bars. They're ridiculously stiff and not particularly good, but if you have super soft torsion bars the combination of too soft a wheel rate and too hard of a shock results in a semi-tolerable ride (not a good one). They may even keep you from bottoming out the suspension all the time, which will feel like a massive improvement. It's for all the wrong reasons and it's not how you should go about matching a spring and shock, but that's why anyone thinks KYB's are anything other than hot garbage. That and not having run anything better to realize how much better a shock can actually be.

If you have torsion bars that are 1" or larger and you SHOULD if you're going to daily drive with radial tires, then KYB's are the absolute worst thing you could ever do to yourself. I've done it, after swapping to Bilstien RCD's I regretted every single second those KYB's were on my car.

If I won a lifetime supply of free KYB shocks, I'd say "no thanks".
 
72bluNblu said:
What size torsion bars do you have?

This is ultimately the most important factor when selecting shocks. The wheel rate and the shocks dampening capability have to be in the same ballpark.
Click to expand...

I am currently using Bilsteins with factory undersized bars™ and they work really well.

I do plan to get thicker bars (and maybe even sway bars) one day, but until then, what I've got is completely acceptable in a 60 year old car. The made the ride smoother, tighter, firmer, and even made the car corner better.

So, while I agree that a good spring rate is important, if you're going to start by changing only one thing, I'd change to Bilsteins first.

– Eric
 

slantsixdan said:
Well…yeah, that's why I recommend the KYBs instead of the garbage from Monroe/Gabriel.
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They were on sale $33 for front KG4509 and $42 rear KG5511 note sure if still are.
With these old cars ya have to pick your battles and cut cost on something ya buy.
They will ring ya broke buying best of everything.
I can't do 700 for shocks
 
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