Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Hi guys, I have a 72 short box (coil rear) that is lowered on the ECE 4/6 drop. It also has the KYB shocks that came with the kit. These shocks do NOT do a good job for those of us that are looking for something a bit more than just marginal. The rear of my truck is very bouncy and feels very unsettled. The front is about the same with very poor dampening.

So with that, I looking for something that will actually work well. Have read post after post where people say they are happy with KYB, and even Monroe. Cant imagine how a Monroe shock would feel if these KYB shocks are this bad. I am considering bilsteins and wanted to hear some real world opinions from those that are running them.

Bilstein #'s
Front 55-R033
Rear 55-R034

I was also looking at Belltech street performance or Nitro Drop. Not sure which are the better ones. Can only see which are more expensive. And have read that some can not install the front ND shocks due to the dust cover being very thick and not having the required clearance. Not really looking to replace the shock mounting bolt.

Any feedback or experience would be very appreciated. The entire suspension on my truck is brand new so there are no worn parts to speak of.

.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I'm have the same opinion with my ECE kit and the KYB shocks. I had Bilsteins on my 2008 Z06 which I loved, so I can only imagine Bilsteins would be an improvement on our C10s.

Little more info her for you: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=529209

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I'm going to follow this one.
I've never been happy with the KYBs, but when installed
the ECE 4/6 kit it was an improvement so I stuck with it.
It has been 7 years now and I would like something better.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

And I just bought a set of KYB's.... Guess I will be looking for something different too.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

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Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I'm running the single adjustable Ridetech shocks. They are not bad. Pretty good control. If I had compression damping control I would like to play with settings, but it's not too far off the way it is. The truck is plenty fun!
Russ

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

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Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Hey Gents,

I "had" that very same set up. I went to the CPP shocks (Purchased from LMC) and I'm pretty happy with the improved dampening. I did a lot of research and tried ALL of Bell Techs and they would not bolt up properly. (Housing to fat and hit the frame in the front) Your other option is the Ride Tech which are made by Fox but are pricey. The CPP are $59.00 each I believe.

My set up:

Early Classics Lowering Kit (Spindles, Springs, Pan Hard, Shock re-locators)
1 inch block (rear)
CPP C-notch
CPP Shocks
18' wheels

Hope this was helpful.

Heath

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Thanks Heath. So you installed the KYB shocks that originally came with the Early Classics kit and got a significant improvement with the CPP shocks? $59 is not an expensive shock.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I was just on the CPP site and their entry level nitrogen shock is $39. Step up from there are the bilsteins I mentioned above for $89. I have heard about the belltech mounting issues many times so that's out. Ridetech looks nice, but at $125 each, I would rather get the bilsteins. The other slightly cheaper option are the KYB gas-a-just series at $55. These are the more performance oriented shocks KYB offers. The shocks included with the ECE kit are the Excel-G version (factory replacement). I have used the excel-G shocks in the past with the same crappy results on other cars. The Gas-a-just versions are much more stiff in both compression and rebound. Have used these on A body chevelles and GTO's with good results.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I had the silver KYB's on and hated the ride since day one.

The CPP shocks I picked up are black with a red bushing and are not gas. I ordered them from LMC so the price could be different.

The wife and I just got back 15 minutes ago from 100 mile drive down the coast and she even noticed the improved ride. I'm super happy with the ride now. To be lowered 4/7 and have the ride I have is impressive.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Hopefully by the end of the month I will have "Raymond" on the road and I will see how it works... CPP 5.5/ 7.0 ECE Rear

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Thanks. Those are the same shocks I saw on the cpp site. Black with red bushings. At $39 each, hell of a deal if they perform as well as you say.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

It seems like these are the $39 CPP shocks that heathbirkendahl replaced the crappy KYB shocks that came with our ECE kit:
Front: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...DTM1200GLL.htm
Rear: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...Gas-Shocks.htm

That's good to read you noticed an improvement over the KYBs. That's what we're all looking for.
Now, the question: Are the bilsteins worth the extra $?

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

That is what I want to know as well!! At $89 each compared to $39, I would want to see a pretty significant improvement.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Very interesting. I noticed my truck is more bouncy now that it's been dropped 4.5/6.

I understand the front drop, I have a 4.5", but only 1.5" is with springs, so I need the 1-2" front shock, but what about the rear?

It's been dropped 6", but has the ECE shock relocation brackets. I never measured the factory shock height at rest so I have nothing to compare too. Should I get the 2-4" drop rear shock to be safe because of the relocation brackets?

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Remember Bilsteins are gas loaded like the KYB's. Just a much better one.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I would do rears for sure! The non-gas made the rear ride so much better.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

^But what shock to get? They have 3 levels based on drop: Stock, 2-4", and 5"+. Technically my truck was dropped 6" but the ECE shock relocation brackets are supposed to somewhat correct the stock geometry and length, so what shock do you buy? The stock one? The 2-4"?

Their website description sucks. Are their drop shocks based on some sort of ride height valving or is there an actual travel length difference, or both?

It looks like you have the ECE stuff as well, which ones did you go with?

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

I might have looked at the wrong section but the ridetech q is for a stock height truck.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

interesting thread for sure. i bought new kyb's (not yet installed) because they're cheap and the correct part numbers are easy to find. i may bite the bullet after reading this thread... i have bilstein 5100's on my 02 k2500 and they are AMAZING. not sure if they come in a size that fits a 4/6 dropped c10.

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

ECE 4/6 is next on my list...looks like I will have a set of KYB shocks for sale...

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

My set up is 4 front 7 rear so I'd go with the shortest ones they have. (pretty sure thats what LMC is selling)

Early Classics Lowering Kit (Spindles, Springs, Pan Hard, Shock re-locators)
1 inch block (rear)
CPP C-notch
CPP Shocks

Re: Dampening the 4/6 ECE - Properly!?!?
 

Be careful on the Billsteins! (C10 is shorter wheel base and not as heavy as the k2500) I'd rather have them as well because of quality. But they are gas charged. Ride in the rear will be super stiff.

The CPP's have a large diameter piston and are oil. (See pic above with note on how to mount)

The number one way to go is the Ride Tech's with adjust ability. You can turn the dampening down for the rears when not loaded. But that's big $$$.