Re: shock conversion
While I am definitely not a pro on shocks, my 16 year old son is as he works on race cars (like below) and actually works on and tunes shocks, and he tells me the difference between shocks that are hydraulic and gas filled (i.e.: nitrogen) is that when a shock rapidly oscillates numerous times (such as in off-road conditions or extremely bumpy roads), the oil heats up and causes it to aerate where the shock is less effective due to the change in oil viscosity. The gas evidently keeps pressure on the oil where it does not aerate. Therefore as far as "stiffness goes", that is solely affected by the shock's valving, ...and not really whether it is a gas or hydraulic valve.
FWIW, I once heard of a Model A-er who said the best shocks he used were off of a Chrysler Volare in a junkyard that had over 100,000 miles with used shocks on it. According to him they were almost worn out and gave the perfect ride for his Model A. I personally have never ridden/drove a Model A with tube shocks that I felt like rode as good as what a set of hydraulic lever-action shocks did. Maybe I am just too picky??
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