Hey All,
Need new shocks for my KJ Verada. Don't need anything too fancy, am going to be putting some low king springs into it eventually but just stock springs for now.

1) Where's cheap in Sydney for shocks? Only need supply not fitting.

2) What've you guys found to be decent ride wise? I want it a bit firmer but don't want a harsh ride as it's a Verada after all. Don't want to pay too much either.

Thanks guys

Ryan

From best to worst:

1. Coilovers
2. Koni adjustable
3. KYB
4. Monroe

Out of 3 and 4, KYB tend to be better. Monroe GT Gas are way too firm for a lot of peoples likings, and sensatrac are too spongey. KYB are just right

Thanks guys. What should I expect to pay for KYB's on average?

bout $450 for shocks + $200 labour.

keep in mind you'll be paying this labour money AGAIN when you put springs in (which are about $250).

Your better off saving your pennies until you can afford to do the whole lot at once.

what are the pedders sport ryders like??? i was thinking them a while back.. but now u say KYB's are the best.. maybe ill go with them

the best thing to do would be to meet up with some of the guys/gals at meets and find out who's got what in their car, and then go for a drive.

because what may be too soft for someone, may be perfect for someone else, and vice versa. you dont want to be spending half a grand on something that will be terrible in your opinion but perfect for someone else.

Correct me if I'm wrong - but don't KYB only make "OEM replacement" shock absorbers for the Magna??? I've heard from people that have them, that they didn't realise that at the time of purchase - and woulnd't get them again. Something to keep in mind if you are after a more "sporty" ride.

Oh and if you ask me - you can't go past coilovers if it's performance you want, and at only $500 odd more than a king springs / Koni struts combo (for race spec) they are pretty good value for money considering :D

KYB also make a heavier rate shock. thats what i got put in my te.

they were far from soft :D and took any corner i was able to throw at them.

total for just the shocks was about $700 fitted i think.

Just don't do what some people do and go to Supercheap etc! I know nobody would be that stupid to buy shocks from there on here, but I have heard of some people getting the American Gabriel shocks and they're crap. Look at American shows/movies, see a car pull up and the bounce it does? thats what these cars do!

What you really need to put on the car is a balance between cost and what you need. Those that have low profile tyres where theres not much rubber and air between them and the road a softer ride is needed as there's not the cushioning in the tyre. Those that have a more normal profile a firmer shock may be better and feel similar. For them the Monroe GT Gas may be more preferable.

Shock absorbers come down to a preference thing too. Gabriel are outright crap, but for others it depends on your own thoughts. Which makes it hard when you have 4 to choose from. If you plan to do towing, or have heavy loads in the car coilovers is the best option as thats what they're designed for!

Thanks for the replies so far!

Coil Overs or Adjustable Shocks are too hardcore for what I want. It's just going to be lowered on the standard Verada 16" mags. I want a slightly firmer ride but nothing drastic, just a tiny bit firmer.

With this in mind which would most likely deliver the ideal ride out of the KYB & the Monroe?

If all you want to do is lower the car to the level of kings lows (or even superlows front / lows rear) then there really isn't any need to change your shocks. Springs alone will deliver a noticably firmer ride than the standard setup.

If I was you (and I was about 18 months ago), I'd just get the springs, and see how that feels. I did, and decided I wouldn't replace the struts until they started to leak - which didn't happen in over 12 months, and when I did decide to upgrade I went the whole hog.

The shocks are fcuked mate thats why I need new ones :)

I called Wholesale Suspension at Penrith and they quoted me $695 all up for a set of Kings Springs and Ultima Shocks.

Anyone used the Ultima shocks before? They come with a 3yr 100k warranty so I'm assuming theyre decent, the guy at Wholesale Suspension said that this would suit the combo perfect for what I want.....

I have a full set of standard shocks from a VRX - front + rear, with 19,000Klms on them.

These are Monroe GT Gas - $200 for the four... Tell me if you are interested...

Cheers
Heath Young

Anything wrong with them heath?
Pm me if he doesn't want them.

I had Pedders Sportsryder shocks in my TH, awsome things, I had the hardest one I could get. The car had no body roll. I'll be getting them again for my TL when the crappy Monroe's crap them self's from being lowered, I'll be getting them for $650 all up and fitting them my selves.

The shocks are fcuked mate thats why I need new ones :)



Fair enough, just trying to help :cool:

Don't recall reading in your previous posts that the shocks were screwed, so I just assumed they were okay.

Hmm...very interesting thread - I have same car KJ wagon, looking to do the exact same thing......family car, dont want it too stiff, but I want a sportish but comfortable ride......I have been recommended by whome I beleive to be a respectable person here on AMC:

Sports factory springs in front with Monroe GT Gas struts
King standard height springs with Monroe Sensatrac shocks in the rear.......with a bit of luck he will spot this thread and have his say as well.......i am undecided as to which exact struts and shocks...but I have made my mind up on the sports springs in the front....definately a goer!




I just been on the phone to my R&D mate and hes told me all rear wagon springs were the same rate except the wagon sports which were 10mm lower in ride height and of a slightly heavier rate.

He says the TJ sports front springs with GT gas struts in the front and the new rear springs with monroe sensatrac rear shocks would be a good a good combination in a verada wagon.

I would lean towards KYB over Monroe. Mitsubishi nearly told Monroe to shove it over a strut rattle issues, I was told the TH was meant to have KYB except Monroe reckoned they had the issues fixed. Personally I don't like Monroes and will never fit them on any of my cars. I've got Gabriels on the wife's Calais and they are actually pretty good, better then the Gabriels I had on the VS wagon which in turn where streets ahead of the Monroes. Currently looking at what to do with my Verada's suspension. Probably end up with stock springs, KYBs all round, whiteline swaybars, strut brace and rear airbags, it REALLY needs the airbags!

well, to quote:


Well i wouldnt give ya a cracker for pedders gas sports ryder struts and shocks, i had them in my sports before the koni adjustables and they were absolute crap!

Bloody stiff on compression stroke and light n bouncy on rebound stroke, worst bloody setup ive ever had.

Monroe GT gas are slightly stiffer on compression and rebound over the standard magna gas struts and are very good for "standard" cars, so probably a good compromise.

Monroe sensatrac are for standard height (or near) cars only and more ride and comfort than outright handling

Essentially it comes down to what you really want from your suspention.....I gather the thread starter is more after a sportish, yet also comfortable ride, without going overboard for what he wants.........im not saying here that going further and having a fully sick suspention setup is not a good thing, its just tht is not what he is after - I think I can understand what he wants quite well - I am after the same thing - I dont want a rigid and stiff suspention, I want it firm, yet still smooth and "easy riding" so to speak....am I correct on this d0p3y

Also, d0p3y - did you follow up on the suggestion I gave you via PM last night? - I can assure you what I told you will provide you with very good info, yet in a flexible enough way for you to be able to make your own decision

Why such bad press for Monroes on Mitsubishis ? I have Monroe sensatracs on my other car (EF Futura) and they are fantastic. Great handling, firm but not too firm ride, 100,000 km on them and they're still going strong. 225/60's and a caster/camber kit probably help but I've been extremely happy with them. I had Monroe GT sports on a Commodore and wasn't that impressed. Report on what you end up with cos I'll need some soon for my TL Magna Wagon.

Well i know ive got a 1st gen, not 3rd, but ive got Munroe GT Gas and they great. Awesome ride, not too hard or too soft. Personally i dont have a problem with them. However if ur lowering then maybe go something more hardcore like the Koni or KYB.