The Ford Barn

William Kelchner · 11-19-2012, 10:14 PM

How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?

Jim Mason · 11-19-2012, 10:21 PM

take a look at the video of the tudor going over the 8x8's at speed about 19 second in. that will give you an idea of what shocks will do for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5HfHpf3mI

Ray in La Mesa · 11-20-2012, 10:36 AM

Bill Stipe shocks were about $850/4 but he has stopped production due to the economic situation, kinda like Brumfield heads.

Rowdy · 11-20-2012, 10:46 AM

I was not aware that he had stopped making them. Another well made part no longer availiable. Rod

juke joint johnny · 11-20-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Special Coupe Frank

This is how my shockless '28 Coupe behaves...

I am saving-up for Bill Stipe repros...

SC Frank

I bought a 28 Roadster Pickup a few years ago that had no shocks ; When you went over a bump at 30 miles an hour the whole thing would Hop and you would be in the other lane !!!! Preety Scary !!!

Worked fine with original shocks .

John Cochran

bogiediver · 11-20-2012, 11:48 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by William Kelchner

How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?

Ditto...

Ron/IA · 11-20-2012, 01:25 PM

I am not trying to contradict the norm that shocks are better on than off (I believe there should be shocks on the A); but my '29 Fordor does not have shocks right now, and when it goes over a bump, man-hole, etc., it does not skip or jump around. It is a very solid driving car. Could it be the weight of the Fordor, the springs, or what.

Just my opinion, but when the streering system in spot on, the Model A drives well with or without shocks.

Ron/IA

Kevin in NJ · 11-20-2012, 01:38 PM

I have noticed that people who do not have shocks and do not complain about the car jumping around have obvious (to me) bad springs. They may also need significant lubrication.

For the 30-31 cars you should be able to see about 1/2 the axle showing from under the front splash apron. Typically the bad spring cars have the axle way up behind and the shackles are push out.

The 30 fordor I had did not come with shocks. I did not drive it much until I fixed the significant suspension issues which included taking apart the springs and lubricating them. When I was done I had brakes that worked and springs that bounced. I took one ride and could not hold the car on the road above 25 MPH. I quickly finished rebuilding shocks and the car had no problems running 60 MPH.

So if you do not have shocks and you think your car drives nice then you have not driven a nice driving Model A. Seems too many have fairly low standards for a nice driving A.

Ca. Kid · 11-20-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy

I was not aware that he had stopped making them. Another well made part no longer availiable. Rod

Rowdy, I bought a set of Bill Stipes shocks last winter for my Murry town sedan. Made a big difference in handling. He still had a good inventory left at that time so they are still available. I think they were around $1000 including shipping.

TudooR31 · 11-20-2012, 05:28 PM

New front spring, shackles, tie rod, drag link, king pins, now looking at shocks which were missing on my car. Am finding sealed shocks seem to dominate the market. I think Mac's were selling the remaining Stipe units @ $1400 a set. They now carry a sealed shock stamped "Bosbension" or "Posbension" @ $235 each. Mike's carries sealed shocks @ $170 each. Snyder's has sealed shocks @ $165 each although they say the function is 'fair'.
So I'm hearing the sealed shocks are no good. What happens to them? Do they ride hard, soft, do they leak, not fit well, just don't improve the ride/handling?
Any recent personal experience with 'sealed' shocks, pro or con is appreciated.

11-19-2012, 10:14 PM	#21
William Kelchner Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Warrenton, Va. Posts: 459	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks How much money are we talking about for the Stipe shocks?

11-19-2012, 10:21 PM	#22
Jim Mason Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 914	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks take a look at the video of the tudor going over the 8x8's at speed about 19 second in. that will give you an idea of what shocks will do for you... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu5HfHpf3mI __________________ www.jmodela.coffeecup.com Fwiw, jm.

11-20-2012, 10:36 AM	#23
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks Bill Stipe shocks were about $850/4 but he has stopped production due to the economic situation, kinda like Brumfield heads.

11-20-2012, 10:46 AM	#24
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I was not aware that he had stopped making them. Another well made part no longer availiable. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

11-20-2012, 01:25 PM	#27
Ron/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Amana IA Posts: 527	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I am not trying to contradict the norm that shocks are better on than off (I believe there should be shocks on the A); but my '29 Fordor does not have shocks right now, and when it goes over a bump, man-hole, etc., it does not skip or jump around. It is a very solid driving car. Could it be the weight of the Fordor, the springs, or what. Just my opinion, but when the streering system in spot on, the Model A drives well with or without shocks. Ron/IA __________________ Ron/IA 1929 Fordor Steelback Hawk A Model A Ford Club http://hawkamodelaclub.org/

11-20-2012, 01:38 PM	#28
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks I have noticed that people who do not have shocks and do not complain about the car jumping around have obvious (to me) bad springs. They may also need significant lubrication. For the 30-31 cars you should be able to see about 1/2 the axle showing from under the front splash apron. Typically the bad spring cars have the axle way up behind and the shackles are push out. The 30 fordor I had did not come with shocks. I did not drive it much until I fixed the significant suspension issues which included taking apart the springs and lubricating them. When I was done I had brakes that worked and springs that bounced. I took one ride and could not hold the car on the road above 25 MPH. I quickly finished rebuilding shocks and the car had no problems running 60 MPH. So if you do not have shocks and you think your car drives nice then you have not driven a nice driving Model A. Seems too many have fairly low standards for a nice driving A.

11-20-2012, 05:28 PM	#30
TudooR31 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 87	Re: Do All A's Have Shocks New front spring, shackles, tie rod, drag link, king pins, now looking at shocks which were missing on my car. Am finding sealed shocks seem to dominate the market. I think Mac's were selling the remaining Stipe units @ $1400 a set. They now carry a sealed shock stamped "Bosbension" or "Posbension" @ $235 each. Mike's carries sealed shocks @ $170 each. Snyder's has sealed shocks @ $165 each although they say the function is 'fair'. So I'm hearing the sealed shocks are no good. What happens to them? Do they ride hard, soft, do they leak, not fit well, just don't improve the ride/handling? Any recent personal experience with 'sealed' shocks, pro or con is appreciated.