anestech* Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Along with the quick ratio steering box and front end rebuild kit, we did 2” Jamco springs. They ride nice, and looks great. Previous owner put new shocks on, but they are cheap OESpectrum brand and are far from impressive. Bilsteins are up to over $600 a set now, which seems over kill for our use of this car as a cruiser/daily driver. Jamco makes shocks for about $45 each, anyone have experience with those? And I’ve see both good and bad mentioned about the cheap Monroe Sensatracs. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 There aren't a lot of options. A set of Bilsteins at $600 (have they really gone up that much?) is insane and hard to justify for a part-time ride. KYBs will fit (with some jiggering on the front), and will be a bit firmer than OEM, but they're not designed for this car. Monroes are drop-in replacements, but they have that slushy boulevard ride. Shocks aren't some magic bullet. Springs, control arm bushings (front and rear), and track bar bushings can also have a big effect on handling and feel. You might also consider a beefier front sway bar (Addco makes a 1.25" drop-in replacement). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 Find a jobber who will let you peruse one of their books from Monroe, Gabriel, or some other shock company and find other shocks that have the same mounts, upper and lower, and other similar measurements but have collapsed and extended dimensions that are two inches shorter. Then find what performance shocks are made for that application. They should fit your Riviera. Many moons ago, when the Riview was still typed on Ray's kitchen table, stapled, and mailed with a sticker pasted to it, there was a tech article that mentioned that there were shocks from some Dodge pickup that would fit a 1st generation Riviera. You might also contact DR914 and see what he can do for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anestech* Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 15 minutes ago, RivNut said: Find a jobber who will let you peruse one of their books from Monroe, Gabriel, or some other shock company and find other shocks that have the same mounts, upper and lower, and other similar measurements but have collapsed and extended dimensions that are two inches shorter. Then find what performance shocks are made for that application. They should fit your Riviera. Many moons ago, when the Riview was still typed on Ray's kitchen table, stapled, and mailed with a sticker pasted to it, there was a tech article that mentioned that there were shocks from some Dodge pickup that would fit a 1st generation Riviera. You might also contact DR914 and see what he can do for you. Jamco sells a rear Bilstein that is spec’d for “lowered applications” which is actually less expensive than the stock application one. But Bilstein says their stock replacement is good for up to a 2” drop. Only 1 front option offered. I’m curious about the cheaper ($45 each) shocks that Jamco sells, not much info on their website. There is still a chance I may bag this car down the pike, but until then I want something better than these Autozone specials... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70rivme Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I know we are talking about your 1st Gen here, but as an example I put 1" lowered springs all the way around on my' 70. I put Monroe shocks on the front and RCD Bilsteins in the back. The back of the car rode like a brick. I was finally allowed to return the Bilsteins so then I put the cheapo Gabriel's in back and now it rides presentable. Not great but good enough for a weekend cruise here and there. I'm still in search of something better but we all know we have limitations on what's available. Good luck and I look forward to reading about the direction you go in and your results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr914 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 just install ac delco shocks, certainly good enough for a cruiser. We always install the bilstein for handling, as we are all used to modern cars that do not float down the road. Rivieras were known for their stiffer suspension and great handling back then, but that is because they were compared to the cars of the time (even the american sports car, the corvette, of the era handles like crap in its original form compared to modern cars!). SO equipping the first generation (even the second and third generation) with GS springs and bilstein shocks and high speed rated tires with less flex in the side wall drastically improve the handling. THEN we have to add disc power brakes, quick ratio steering, and seats with more side support!! (LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anestech* Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 I’m no stranger to dropping $ on quality suspension 😆. But I’m not planning on autocrossing the Rivi, and living in Vegas, I don’t need a corner carver either. The Jamco springs are definitely stiffer than the 55 year old stock springs that came out, and would benefit from more dampening for sure. I’ll check out the Delcos as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelman Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) If you are thinking of bagging it later, get the RideTech shocks for the rear. Then you don't have to change. I have Shockwaves in the front, so a shock and air spring together, not separate. They may also sell a replacement lowered front shock. I don't remember and have not looked in a while. OK, I looked. Link below. But $185 each. https://www.ridetech.com//products/shocks/application-q-series-shocks/?features_hash=13-251_14-431 Edited December 12, 2019 by steelman added link (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anestech* Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) Yeah, I just looked too. Built by Fox, and adjustable, but $$$. https://www.ridetech.com/products/shocks/application-q-series-shocks/1961-64-lesabre-front-smooth-body-shock-hq-series/ I will do the ride tech kit for sure if I do bags. Edited December 12, 2019 by anestech* (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin63 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I ran a set of KYBs on my 63 when I did the 2-inch front and rear Jamco spring kit. The shocks were the same part number as my '63 Pontiac Tempest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anestech* Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, Vin63 said: I ran a set of KYBs on my 63 when I did the 2-inch front and rear Jamco spring kit. The shocks were the same part number as my '63 Pontiac Tempest. Did you like them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin63 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) Yes, the Rivi rode really nice, especially on our terrible roads here in SoCal. In my opinion, they were a better ride than the Bilsteins (not as harsh), plus for around $35 each, it was less of a hit to my pocketbook. Just in case, I ran the KYB Gas-a-Just part numbers: Front - KG4550; and Rear - KG5466. I'm putting my '64 on air and will run the same rear KYB shock. Edited December 17, 2019 by Vin63 typo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anestech* Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 Boom! 🍻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin63 Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 A couple of pics when I was bending up and installing the rear portion of the exhaust on my '63 that show the rear KYB Gas-a-Just shocks with the new Jamco/Coil Spring Specialties springs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjp69 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Let us know how the KYB's work for you. I run them on my lowered 69 GS and stock 70 A-bodies, but haven't used them on a Riv before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black River Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) I've got KYBs on my Riv, and its lowered about 4". Couldn't be happier, and they're actually affordable. Edited December 13, 2019 by Black River (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 The 2" drop looks great. I want to do that on my 64. It's basically at that height now, the stock springs are sagging badly. I ran KYB gas-a-just on a 67 mustang, they were great but they seem to last for about 6 months of daily use before going soft. You can get Viking fully adjustable (both up and down) shocks for $700-ish. They could be tuned to preference. Seems like a much better deal that the bilsteins. I have the factory adjustable shock package on my vette, it's pretty slick. Turn a knob on the console and they go from reasonable to firm to stupid hard. The hard setting is pretty useless unless you want the fillings rattled out of your teeth. There's kits on the market now for coilovers with a small hydraulic ram on them. Lets you lift the car a few inches without affecting spring or shock rates. About $5k and some fab work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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