Shock absorbers |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
76291
Member Joined: 07 Mar. 2021 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 170 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 18 June 2021 at 3:32pm |
Any recommendation for the front of a 2a? Springs are old but not terrible. Looking for a little more support for the time being.
|
|
SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A
Member Sponsor Member x 3 Joined: 22 Jan. 2016 Location: S.E. Kansas Status: Offline Points: 3191 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Shocks don't support anything. They dampen the movement of the vehicle. If you need more support you will have to work on the springs.
Walck's has very good front springs for sale and I recommend that you invest in the spring bolts also because they are almost always worn out. |
|
46 CJ-2A #64462 "Ol' Red" (bought April 1969)(second owner)(12 V, 11" brakes, M-38 frame, MD Juan tub)
U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer(ret.) U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and damned proud of it. |
|
76291
Member Joined: 07 Mar. 2021 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 170 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
What I meant to say was a little more dampening than my wore out ones. Yes, springs are coming but not now.
[edit] You know, after looking and doing math, I just might go for the 4 spring kit. Edited by 76291 - 18 June 2021 at 7:17pm |
|
ndnchf
Member Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 22 Sep. 2017 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 2177 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
FWIW, I installed Walck's complete suspension kit last year. I'm very happy with it.
|
|
1948 CJ2A - It goes nowhere fast, but anywhere slow.
|
|
Lee MN
Member Joined: 13 Aug. 2008 Location: Harris, MN Status: Offline Points: 4950 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I’ve had excellent luck with KYB shocks on my 2A, Rock Auto has them as well.
Lee |
|
LEE
44 GPW-The Perfected Willys 49 2A “If you wait, you only get older” 67 M715 American Made Rolling History |
|
43 Flat-Fender
Member Joined: 22 Sep. 2020 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 112 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hi all Flat-Fender lovers .....
I'll just put this out there again, hoping somebody will benefit? I believe many people think a "shock is a shock". Nope. Our flat fenders are too light and not coil sprung, so the wrong shock absorber for us is "Nitrogen Gas Filled". The standard NAPA shock and others are "Nitrogen Gas Filled" and they are way, way, WAY too stiff on the compression stroke for our jeeps. If it has a plastic strap holding it together in the box and expands when the band is taken off, it is gas charged. Check the part sellers for MB/GPW and others for "non gas charged" "double action hydraulic" shocks. Note: some major vintage parts vendors sell gas filled shocks! I cant emphasize enough how much difference an "Old School" non-Gas Charged shock will make on our Flat-Fender Jeeps! Your jeep does not have to ride rough or harsh! |
|
Rob
GPW 94445 (DOD 01-25-43) Built in Louisville KY Engine: MB341746 "Faithful Steed" since 1967 |
|
Mark W.
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 09 Nov. 2014 Location: Silverton, OR Status: Offline Points: 7984 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I have NAPA shocks on Chug which has CJ5 suspension with 1" longer shackles. And my wife commented on how nice the ride was. So not sure what your talking about.
Edited by Mark W. - 26 June 2021 at 12:29am |
|
Chug A Lug
1948 2A Body Customized 1949 3A W/S 1957 CJ5 Frame Modified Late 50's 134L 9.25"clutch T90A D18 (1.25") D44/30 flanged E-Locker D25 5.38 Since 1962 |
|
Spinnas
Member Joined: 24 Apr. 2018 Location: AZ Status: Offline Points: 375 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Mark I agree. Myself, my dad, and a few friends are all running Bilsteins(which is a charged shock) after testing them on my dads. Night and day difference in ride, very smooth and comfortable through choppy dirt roads and rougher forest roads.
|
|
Lee MN
Member Joined: 13 Aug. 2008 Location: Harris, MN Status: Offline Points: 4950 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I Disagree, I’ve tried both, It depends on what nitrogen charged shock you use,.... Nitrogen for me 👍🏿 Lee |
|
LEE
44 GPW-The Perfected Willys 49 2A “If you wait, you only get older” 67 M715 American Made Rolling History |
|
duffer
Member Joined: 02 Feb. 2012 Location: Bozeman, MT Status: Offline Points: 1087 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I think what shocks will work best on any specific Willys is dependent on the springs-how worn or modified, other modifications to shackles and hangers, the operating weight of the rig, and probably the most important, the use of the rig. One size most definitely doesn't fit all even if the dimensions were correct.
Gas filled shocks can have a place. I used them for decades on the rear of my 3B. In its latest rendition, it received Bilstein B8 5165's with the 170/60 soft valving but it also received a rather stout disconnectable front sway bar to go with those.
|
|
1955 3B: 441sbc,AGE 4 speed transmission, Teralow D18w/Warn OD, 4.11:1 D44's/ARB's, glass tub & fenders, aluminum hood/grill, 8274, York OBA, Premier Power Welder; 67 CJ5: 225,T86AA, D18, 4.88's, OD
|
|
43 Flat-Fender
Member Joined: 22 Sep. 2020 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 112 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
And based on the responses so far ..... is why I have hesitated to post my experience with Gas Filled shocks.
For me, with a bone stock MB/GPW, original springs and no mods, the very clear winner is Non-gas charged, like the original suspension was designed. Going over bumps and imperfections in the road feels rubbery, compliant and soft, definitely not jarring or harsh the way the over the counter Gas filled shocks make it feel. I actually feel kind of bad for folks with stock setups and that have never tried "old school" plain hydraulic shocks. They'll never know how smooth the suspension on these old jeeps can be! This is the way a major manufacture describes the difference. I agree with their assessment. |
|
Rob
GPW 94445 (DOD 01-25-43) Built in Louisville KY Engine: MB341746 "Faithful Steed" since 1967 |
|
rocnroll
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: Tuscumbia, AL Status: Offline Points: 13585 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Could it be that the gas charged shocks you picked maybe were just a bad choice in valving or brand for your application?
Seems satisfactory to a lot of folks. |
|
'47 CJ2A PU
'48 CJ2A Lefty "Common sense is not that common" |
|
43 Flat-Fender
Member Joined: 22 Sep. 2020 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 112 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Hey Roc,
I suppose that's possible but the "Napa" shocks I'm taking about are the standard bright blue painted rebranded Monroe or Gabriel shocks that they sell. Invariably those are nitrogen charged shocks. When I inquired with manufacturers, they freely acknowledge that while the shocks that are currently sold will fit and operate dimensionally correctly that they may not act as the OEM shocks originally did on these vehicles? And that is, because they are nitrogen charged and the original shocks were Not nitrogen charged, but rather dual action hydraulic shocks. I'm thinking, that part of the problem might be that a lot of folks have aftermarket springs that are simply stiffer to begin with than the originals? So that the nitrogen charge shocks really don't stand out because the springs are already pretty doggone stiff? The other trick is to lubricate the spring packs regularly! I find that soaking the edges of the spring packs with liquid wrench penetrating oil or PB blaster makes a huge difference in the compliance of the springs because they do slide against one another. If nothing more it greatly reduces the squeaks and moans and groans that happen from the suspension system. The other thing is don't over tighten the spring shackles! They need to be backed off at least a half to three quarters of a turn otherwise they bind. All I can say to the folks who are skeptical is that every flat fender guy who is ridden in my jeep has been impressed with how smooth and refined the suspension feels. And that's running NDTs with about 25 psi of pressure. A kid you not, it rides like a short wheelbase cadillac. Anyway too many miles to go and too many smiles to go. Enjoy your rides guys. I look forward to meeting you down in Tompkinsville Roc. |
|
Rob
GPW 94445 (DOD 01-25-43) Built in Louisville KY Engine: MB341746 "Faithful Steed" since 1967 |
|
76291
Member Joined: 07 Mar. 2021 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 170 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Not sure about this because this turns your springs into dust/dirt magnets.
|
|
otto
Member Joined: 26 Feb. 2012 Location: Orygun Status: Offline Points: 2265 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
For my blue jeep that still has the original springs, I bought the cheapest blue Monroe shocks that Rock Auto offered- non gas charged and about $20 ea. It rides really well with them. Not a meaningful comparison to the old ones as they didn't have any oil left in them, but way better.
I guess if you have stock springs, get stock shocks. If you have different/stiffer springs you probably need a little more damping.
|
|
47 CJ2A w/fuel injected boat engine
48 CJ2A 64 Ford Econoline Travelwagon If you can't get there in a Jeep, get a motorcycle! |
|
43 Flat-Fender
Member Joined: 22 Sep. 2020 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 112 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Uh .... It's a mechanical system, it needs lubrication.
Wipe off the excess. Just put lite bead in between the leaves with the red straw and it will immediately soak in-between. It actually improves the deflection and compliance of the suspension system. My Jeep gets dusty! It's a Jeep!
|
|
Rob
GPW 94445 (DOD 01-25-43) Built in Louisville KY Engine: MB341746 "Faithful Steed" since 1967 |
|
43 Flat-Fender
Member Joined: 22 Sep. 2020 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 112 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Otto,
What are the part numbers for the shocks! I honestly did not know Monroe made non-gas charged shocks that would fit our application. |
|
Rob
GPW 94445 (DOD 01-25-43) Built in Louisville KY Engine: MB341746 "Faithful Steed" since 1967 |
|
76291
Member Joined: 07 Mar. 2021 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 170 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Well I understand that but thats not wh....oh, never mind. ;)
|
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |