The Ford Barn

German guy · 11-16-2025, 04:44 AM

My 30 A came with modern shocks and I want to stick with them. The shocks are VERY stiff and abusive on bad roads. railroad tracks, etc. I want to replace them over this winter's down-time. I do not drive aggressively or do hard cornering. Any suggestions on make/model for a softer ride?

Hotrodfil · 11-16-2025, 05:19 AM

https://rotoshim.com/

updraught · 11-16-2025, 07:33 AM

I believe the VW bug shocks fit, and especially the Koni ones work well.
Koni made a name for themselves with the Special D shocks on old classic type sports cars.
These usually have very little, to no, compression resistance, and adjustable rebound up to very hard.
On cars with heavy springs, they allow the springs to compress on a bump, and control the rebound, (or letting go) of the spring, to stop that jarring, and give you that Rolls Royce ride. when properly tuned.
Leaf springs have quite a bit of resistance built in, with friction between the leaves, unlike coil springs, and so shouldn't need much compression damping.

Werner · 11-16-2025, 08:12 AM

Hallo,
I bought the four ones from Stipes. They work as they should. They can be adjusted precisely.

Werner · 11-16-2025, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by updraught

(...)
Leaf springs have quite a bit of resistance built in, with friction between the leaves, unlike coil springs, and so shouldn't need much compression damping.

Thefore, the blades are treated with, for example, graphite/MoS2 grease. To protect them from dirt, I then additionally wrapped them with a grease bandage and then in thin, water-repellent shoe leather.

motordr · 11-16-2025, 09:09 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I’m looking to buy a set of Stipe Shocks, anyone have a set they would sell?

Y-Blockhead · 11-16-2025, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodfil

https://rotoshim.com/

You mention Rotoshim shocks. Is there a waiting list for them or something?
I have never seen them in stock since they were first mentioned on Ford Barn. https://rotoshim.com/store/ols/produ...s-ford-model-a

Hotrodfil · 11-16-2025, 12:55 PM

They’re available and in stock in the UK. Not sure about dealers in the US.

nkaminar · 11-16-2025, 01:48 PM

Just take the shocks off to result in a nice smooth ride.

Y-Blockhead · 11-16-2025, 02:02 PM

I have had Stipe Shocks and Spring Gaiters on my '30 Town Seadn now for ~11 years now, still working great. I coated my leafs with Slip-Plate.

Phil Brown · 11-17-2025, 12:38 AM

These are the ones that I used, non-gas filled for an early VW bug 1959-1966
They seem to work well and the cost is very reasonable if you don't need to have original equipment

Herb Concord Ca · 11-17-2025, 11:59 AM

What did you do for mounting brackets, make your own or?

gilitos · 11-17-2025, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

What did you do for mounting brackets, make your own or?

I've got a great set of tube shock mounts available. PM me and I'll send pics.

Phil Brown · 11-18-2025, 01:08 PM

Original post said that they were on the car when he bought it. Mine I made up the brackets needed with some early f-1 truck mounts in the front

headonz · 11-20-2025, 05:02 PM

Phil , thanks for posting the vw shock info , this was exactly what I had been searching for.
In the last photos showing the front shock ,how is the bottom attached to the axle ? I cant quite make out.
Is this work on the same "A" as in your profile pic ?

Phil Brown · 11-20-2025, 08:47 PM

I made up the attachment points and welded them to the bottom of the axle. There are pre-made bottom mounts that bolt to the bottom of spring perch but that didn't quite get location that I needed.
Yes it is the same coupe

Phil Brown · 11-20-2025, 09:44 PM

Here is a pic of the available lower shock mount that uses the spring perch bolt to use modern shocks that a lot of people use

headonz · 11-21-2025, 01:35 AM

Phil , thanks ,thats just what i want.

I hope to see some build updates of your coupe as you go along ,pictures are worth a thousand words

30Murray · 11-21-2025, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Brown

Here is a pic of the available lower shock mount that uses the spring perch bolt to use modern shocks that a lot of people use

I could be mistaken, but it was my understanding that the stock spring perch bolts are not long enough to mount these. There are longer perches available (Pete and Jakes) but they don't accommodate the mechanical brake actuating arm so would normally be used with hydraulic brakes.

don3527 · 11-21-2025, 04:07 PM

We have our own shocks custom made and valved for the weight of the model A. They are hydraulic, not gas. The free length is 14-3/8", collapsed is 9-3/4". They are not listed on our website individually but we do have them available. A-18014-A, $28.95 ea. Snyder's

11-16-2025, 04:44 AM	#1
German guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: German/French border Posts: 163	modern shocks My 30 A came with modern shocks and I want to stick with them. The shocks are VERY stiff and abusive on bad roads. railroad tracks, etc. I want to replace them over this winter's down-time. I do not drive aggressively or do hard cornering. Any suggestions on make/model for a softer ride?

11-16-2025, 05:19 AM	#2
Hotrodfil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk UK Posts: 229	Re: modern shocks https://rotoshim.com/

11-16-2025, 07:33 AM	#3
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 2,291	Re: modern shocks I believe the VW bug shocks fit, and especially the Koni ones work well. Koni made a name for themselves with the Special D shocks on old classic type sports cars. These usually have very little, to no, compression resistance, and adjustable rebound up to very hard. On cars with heavy springs, they allow the springs to compress on a bump, and control the rebound, (or letting go) of the spring, to stop that jarring, and give you that Rolls Royce ride. when properly tuned. Leaf springs have quite a bit of resistance built in, with friction between the leaves, unlike coil springs, and so shouldn't need much compression damping.

11-16-2025, 09:09 AM	#6
motordr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Beamsville,Ontario,Canada Posts: 536	Re: modern shocks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I’m looking to buy a set of Stipe Shocks, anyone have a set they would sell?

11-16-2025, 12:55 PM	#8
Hotrodfil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk UK Posts: 229	Re: modern shocks They’re available and in stock in the UK. Not sure about dealers in the US.

11-16-2025, 01:48 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,856	Re: modern shocks Just take the shocks off to result in a nice smooth ride. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-16-2025, 02:02 PM	#10
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 7,293	Re: modern shocks I have had Stipe Shocks and Spring Gaiters on my '30 Town Seadn now for ~11 years now, still working great. I coated my leafs with Slip-Plate. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 11-16-2025 at 03:32 PM.

11-17-2025, 11:59 AM	#12
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 861	Re: modern shocks What did you do for mounting brackets, make your own or?

11-20-2025, 05:02 PM	#15
headonz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Motueka New Zealand Posts: 105	Re: modern shocks Phil , thanks for posting the vw shock info , this was exactly what I had been searching for. In the last photos showing the front shock ,how is the bottom attached to the axle ? I cant quite make out. Is this work on the same "A" as in your profile pic ?

11-21-2025, 01:35 AM	#18
headonz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Motueka New Zealand Posts: 105	Re: modern shocks Phil , thanks ,thats just what i want. I hope to see some build updates of your coupe as you go along ,pictures are worth a thousand words Last edited by headonz; 11-21-2025 at 05:57 PM.

11-21-2025, 04:07 PM	#20
don3527 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 40	Re: modern shocks We have our own shocks custom made and valved for the weight of the model A. They are hydraulic, not gas. The free length is 14-3/8", collapsed is 9-3/4". They are not listed on our website individually but we do have them available. A-18014-A, $28.95 ea. Snyder's