• Hello there guest and Welcome to The #1 Classic Mustang forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

KYB Gas-A-Just shock absorbers for the Fastback

stump

stump

Member
I'm looking for a firmer ride on the Fastback. Anyone have experience with the KYB Gas-A-Just, or another recommendation?

Gary
 
I have them on my 69 and think the ride is decent, most will say they are too harsh but I've had nothing to compare them too.... I just bought some Bilsteins from Shaun at Street or Track for my 65 but that wont see the road for a while. From what I've read and been told, the Bilsteins are by far one of the best shocks available for the stock suspension. You can get them in 3 different valvings to suit your needs.
 
As recommended by Opentracker, I have them only on the front of Shag. Running a little softer KYB -GR2 on the back. Very happy with the ride.
 
My vote would be for the Bilsteins or Koni reds. I have the Koni's and can adjust them to whatever I want.
 
"silverblueBP" said:
My vote would be for the Bilsteins or Koni reds. I have the Koni's and can adjust them to whatever I want.
Click to expand...

Marks car does ride smooth in the trailer........
 
I have them all around for my car and it handles great w/o any sway but the ride is a bit harsh (maybe due to the crappy CA roads). (I have a pair of the GR-2's to install in the front as that seems to really bang more than the rear.) I'd not use them again, IMHO, and will eventually spring for Bilsteins or Edelbrocks. Still, for approx $25/shock, it's a good deal for what you get.
 
"AzPete" said:
Marks car does ride smooth in the trailer........
Click to expand...

Not sure of that, but it sure is smooth at WOT, sliding through the apexes.
 
I found the red Koni's on sale this spring and I gotta say this car (With big sway bar,roller perches, Arning drop and 4.5 mid eyes) handles really well. Everyone that drives it cannot believe an old mustang behaves this way and the ride is not at all harsh.

I doubt I ever build another mustang differently.
 
"cmayna" said:
As recommended by Opentracker, I have them only on the front of Shag. Running a little softer KYB -GR2 on the back. Very happy with the ride.
Click to expand...

I run this setup too (and Opentracker provides great service after the sale too) on my Mach1. I too am very happy with the ride...

On my son's 69 we went with the Gas-A-Just shocks for both front and rear, but he only has stock rear springs while I went for stiffer rear springs in the Mach. To be honest, I can't tell a great deal of difference between the GR-2s in the back with stiffer springs and the Gas-A-Justs in the back with stock springs. I only bring this up because it is fair to say the springs you run will affect the ride also...

There is no doubt that Bilsteins and Konis are better shocks; I just couldn't justify the price on a car that is street driven only a couple days a month.

-Rory
 
I think I have a full set (4) of the the Gas A Just on my '66. I had Opentracker help pick out stuff. I couldn't say what it rides like though as I only put on the front ones and haven't gotten it on the road again it yet.
 
Thanks, all.

What I'm trying to change is the feeling the car "bottoms out" when I hit a dip in the road. It's fine when just me, but add a full tank of gas and/or a passenger and it just seems like it needs more...
 
"apollard" said:
Tht sounds more like a spring issue to me.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. Shocks should only dampen the springs... If the shocks are trying to compensate for weak or worn springs you will tear the thin sheet metal they mount to.

-Rory
 
"stump" said:
Front and rear springs are new; now what?
Click to expand...

What type of rear spring (std eye, mid eye, reverse eye, 4 leaf, 4.5 leaf, 5 leaf), and how is the car bottoming out? If it is the tires making contact, what size tires, rims, and offsets?

-Rory
 
"2ndgen" said:
What type of rear spring (std eye, mid eye, reverse eye, 4 leaf, 4.5 leaf, 5 leaf), and how is the car bottoming out? If it is the tires making contact, what size tires, rims, and offsets?

-Rory
Click to expand...

The rear springs are from NPD, and in the catalog were labeled as "Special, GT, Competition, or Improved Handling" if that tells you anything. No tire rubbing. What I get is a scraping sound when i hit a dip. At first we thought it was hitting the exhaust but i had it replaced and the guy said there was no sign of anything hitting. As a matter of fact, I can't find anything, anywhere, that looks as if it's been hit. The noise sounds as if it's coming from the right rear, and only when I have additional weight in the car (full tank or passenger).
 
Hmm...

What I consider bottoming out is a hard thump when you actually hit the stops on the suspension...

The scraping noise you describe, coupled with the lack of evidence of exhaust or undercarriage contact with the ground (usually pretty obvious) leads me to question your tires making contact inside the wheel wells (as opposed to the more obvious cuts on the sidewall from rubbing the fender opening). What size tires do you run? Are the rubber stops installed on your car and in reasonable condition?

With respect to the springs you describe, I have no direct knowledge of the NPD springs, but I assume them to be standard eye 4 leafs with a slightly higher spring rate from the description. Switching to a 4.5 leaf spring might help you out; but before spending money I'd try to figure out what is really happening... A little chalk, water based paint, or grease to determine the contact points would be my suggestion.

Good luck,
-Rory
 
"2ndgen" said:
The scraping noise you describe, coupled with the lack of evidence of exhaust or undercarriage contact with the ground (usually pretty obvious) leads me to question your tires making contact inside the wheel wells (as opposed to the more obvious cuts on the sidewall from rubbing the fender opening). What size tires do you run? Are the rubber stops installed on your car and in reasonable condition?

I'd try to figure out what is really happening... A little chalk, water based paint, or grease to determine the contact points would be my suggestion.

Good luck,
-Rory
Click to expand...

Tires are 225-70-14 and the stops are new. I replaced the springs because I had rubbing on the left rear tire. Not that it's scientific but it "sounds" like this noise is from the right... Looking up in the wells and on the tires there's no obvious rubbing, but I wouldn't swear to it. Where would you apply the chalk/paint/grease?

Thanks,
Gary

Stops are new
 
I'd put a dab of grease on top of the stops, and I'd draw a thick chalk line all the way across the top of the wheel wells as a start... Another area that often rubs is the inside front of the wheel well, so a bit of chalk there too...

If the grease does not transfer to the top of the axle, you are not "bottoming out" the suspension; something else is causing interference.

-Rory
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top