modern shock upgrade

[mcgarrett]

I can't justify the expense of the the original shocks for my Roadster and I currently have no shocks at all and the ride is rather bouncy, so I'm going to spring for a tube shock kit in order to "upgrade" the ride quality. I've read from several here on the Barn that the tube shocks really make a difference in smoothing out the bumps.

[Pamodelaroadster]

Snyders shock kit uses regular shocks that are not gas charged, but that kit is more expensive than the other kit mentioned. I bought and installed one of the kits with the gas charged shocks. I actually put them on the front but it was so stiff. I knew I wouldn’t like the ride so I didn’t even take it for a drive. I just ordered the kit from SNYDER’s.. by the way, people keep saying oil field versus gas, the gas shocks are still oil filled. They just have low pressure, nitrogen gas added for increase performance, less fade. We don’t need to worry about more performance out of our shocks with A’s

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I used the Ken Davis tube shock kit on the rear. Very happy with them. Not cutting or welding required.

http://www.kendavismodela.com/Shocks.html

I also have the Ken Davis tube shocks, both front and rear. I also bought the bolts recommended in post #5 above. These bolts just makes a much cleaner install on the rears.

[Afordman31]

SullivansGarage.com has them on sale for $319.

[slatgrille]

I stand corrected...'change over to modern tube shocks' should be the title. Although I'd like originals, it wouldn't be worth the cost for me...a restored vehicle, definitely yes!

[Gene F]

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Originally Posted by steve smith

I would also recommend Ken Davis Model A air conditioning kit. It changed the way of life in an A

6 volt? Expensive? Hard to install? Condensor goes where?

[Herb Concord Ca]

The Ken Davis A/C requires you to convert to 12Volts Neg ground. Installation is not that hard. The Condenser mounts behind the differential, it has a cooling fan as part of its assembly. Works great, no load on the motor. I installed mine in 2010.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

The Ken Davis A/C requires you to convert to 12Volts Neg ground. Installation is not that hard. The Condenser mounts behind the differential, it has a cooling fan as part of its assembly. Works great, no load on the motor. I installed mine in 2010.

So what drives it?

[updraught]

Originally Posted by slatgrille

So, it sounds like the oil filled shocks are preferred. Are Ken Davis's shocks oil filled? Other vendors with oil filled shocks?

"As mentioned, shock absorbers are basically oil pumps. A piston is attached to the end of a piston rod and works against hydraulic fluid in the pressure tube. As the suspension travels up and down, the hydraulic fluid is forced through orifices (tiny holes) inside the piston. Because the orifices only allow a small amount of fluid through the piston, the piston is slowed which in turn slows down spring and suspension movement.Shock absorbers automatically adjust to road conditions because the faster the suspension moves, the more resistance they provide."

https://monroe.com.au/what-are-shock...bers-explained

"Shock absorbers are pump-like devices which keep your vehicle’s tyres in contact with the road surface by controlling the rebound of its suspension springs. As long as your vehicle’s tyres remain in contact with the road, steering, road handling and braking response will be optimal, helping to keep you safe."

So how hard the shock is depends on the size of the hole the oil is being forced thru by movement of the piston in the shock absorber. The gas just stops thee oil foaming.

[Kurt in NJ]

The original tube shocks that Ford started using about 1948 were single action, the damping was on the rebound stroke .

[mcgarrett]

Synchro909
A/C compressor IS engine driven by single belt; has special mounting bracket situated near the alternator. Friend of mine has one - very tidy setup and works well. No problems with additional heat being sent thru the radiator (and into the engine compartment) since electric cooling fans pull air thru the condenser mounted behind the rear axle.

[Herb Concord Ca]

Synchro909, maybe what I should have said is no noticeable drag on the motor. Even waiting for a red traffic light.

[dansluck]

I use shocks from Ken Davis, both front and back. I drive 2 miles of dirt road to get to county road and they work great.

[alexiskai]

The shocks that Ken Davis uses are nothing special – when I ordered my kit, one of the shocks was DOA, so Ken directed me to a local O'Reilly's for a free warranty replacement. Ken's kits work better because he's figured out which shock specs work best with which body styles, so you get a set that's specifically designed for your car.

[updraught]

>>Ken's kits work better because he's figured out which shock specs work best


Yep, it's all down to the valving which is adjustable on the original shocks.

You can buy 30 shocks and try them, or pay someone who has done the hard work.

[slatgrille]

I'd like to order online. Does Ken Davis's website have a link to order, or is it by phone only?

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by slatgrille

I'd like to order online. Does Ken Davis's website have a link to order, or is it by phone only?

Check his website?

[Chris Haynes]

I am using Armstrong shocks on my '30 Tudor. Here is a link to an article about them. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discus...49203_ds791939

[slatgrille]

Should have clarified Master Cylinder...I did check the site but didn't see anything so was wondering IF there was something I was missing. How did those of you with his kits order them?

[ndnchf]

If I remember correctly, I just called and talked to him. Then sent a check.

http://www.kendavismodela.com/contact.html