I need some advice!

I want to replace the original shocks on my E100 74 van. What shocks should I use?

I'd like to get gas shocks. I don't mind paying for quality.

I like Monroes but I can only get Monroe SensaTrac gas shocks for the front. There is no listing for the rear- only regular shocks.

I am going to put new front cargo coil springs in and then install front and back sway bars.

ANY SHOCK ADVICE APPRECIATED! I'd like to get these lined up now.

Randy,
I haven't looked into who makes what in a while, so I checked the "Rock Auto" website.. They have "KYB" shocks listed for our vans. I don't know anything about KYB but here's the part numbers and a link. Both of these are gas shocks.

KYB part #344085 "GR-2" -- $23.79
KYB part #KG5419 "GAS-A-JUST" -- $44.79

The "GAS-A-JUST" ones are listed on the KYB site as being "high-performance", "high-pressure" shocks.

KYB shocks

Are KYB the way to go?

Rog they only have back shocks listed!

Hey Randy
I bought the shocks for my van at Napa.Can't tell you how they ride yet.Something you could try is a offroad shop.

Hey Don..good to hear from ya! How the GREAT WALL?

So..do I go with Monroe Sensatrac on front (gas) and KYB Gas AJUST (gas) on the back?>

Any thoughts? I'd like to get good ones!

Randy,
Take off one of the front shocks and head down to your local parts store. In the back of the shock book they list out all the shock sizes and how they attach. If you have a good parts man at the counter he should be able to find a shock number that will work for the front and will match the rear ones that they still make. This way you can keep the same brand shock on all four corners. If you can't get gas shocks make sure you get a large heavy duty oil shock and stay with the same brand on all four corners (Monroes, KYB, Etc.) John

Randy,

I do not recommend the KYB Gas-A-Just. They have been on my van for 20 years and they suck. When I first put them on, my dad asked me how much I paided for them. I told him $100 for the set and he stated I paid way to much. He stated, I paid $100 to much.

I installed the Moog heavy duty springs up front. Then a few months later I installed the KYB's. The Front end would bounce up and down like a pogo stick when it went over a bump on the freeway. I would have to hit the brakes, to load the front end to stop the bouncing. I still have them on at this time and I hate them with a passion.

A buddy had them on his Chevelle for one month. Did the same thing on his car. He pulled them off a month later and dumped them in the trash.

I'm looking into the IAS shock. They do not make them for our Vans, but they might have something that might fit.

Vic

I didn't even notice that they only had rear shocks Randy.. Sorry about that. Like I said, I have no experience with KYB shocks. From Vic's post, they don't sound that great for our vans.

So should I even go for the extra expense and hassle (purchasing) of gas shocks? Are they worth the extra cost? I can get Monroe regular shock "knock offs" on Ebay cheap I think.

Personally, I would go with a heavy duty oil shock over the gas shocks. I know the gas shocks are supposed to offer a better ride, but I have a set of Monroe heavy duty shocks on Big Red (previous owner installed them), and she rides just fine over big bumps and dips.

They should cost less, too.

I called the local Schuck's, and the counter guy told me they have Monroe HD shocks for mid-Econos, both front and rear.

Just my two pennies.

Do you have the Monre numbers by any chance?

Many thanks! All help appreciated!

Hi Randy
The great wall is up.Now to finish all the small things(sprinklers,shead,gates ect ect.)
I like John's idea for good quality shocks.Or Meanboyjr with the Monroe heavy duty.

I put just the regular Gabriel's on the front since thats al they made for them and Gabriel LT's, their heavy duty on the back of my 74 E200. I liked the way it rode, firm but not harsh. I would think the Monroe's would be similar. My uncle has used the regular KYB's on a couple of 60's Dodge cars and really liked them. I was planning on trying them on my 85 E150.

Hey Randy, where did you pick up those coil springs and sway bars? It's a great idea!
Bri.

our 69-74 van front shocks are one of a kind., meaning they do not fit anything else but our vans. so choice is limited. What I did with my E-300 is buy some monroe magnums for a ford truck (simular in length of stroke etc. and made a "cross" piece (out of 1/2 inch metal) on top to fit the shock rod thru. All you get that is a stock shock for our vans don't really give alot of control.
Econodave

Dave
Thats a realy good idea.

Dave... can you give me a few more details on this?

Is that overkill for a E-100?

Ok, here's the scoop from my end.

I re-checked with Schuck's, and it turned out that the first parts guy was wrong - they do not carry a Monroe Heavy Duty shock (i.e, the Magnum Truck shock) for our application.

They do, however, carry the Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks for the FRONT ONLY, part #37190. Monroe makes a "standard" shock for the rear, part #32164.

I do not know what mixing the front Sensa-Tracs with the "regular" rears would do to your ride quality, though.

I will crawl under Big Red this weekend to see what I can see on the Monroe shocks I have on there now (probably discontinued, but I'll try anyway).

I for one do not like the "puny"shafted shocks that are only available in stock form for our vans. when i go over a bump I want my van to rise and fall and that's it, not this 'bouncing thing like a boat in the water." i always liked the monroe magnums because of the firm ride you get, Our vans are heavy you know., and no sway bar!!!! I believe the shocks (monroe magnums) I bought were from an early model ford truck Probaly 72-73. (same type of front end) They don't have a cross piece up top like our vans.,....... so I made one using two piece's of flat 1/4 steel 1 inch wide that fit a cross the span of the shock tower.( i got the steel pieces from a hardware store) then drilled a hole in the middle for the shock shaft, and two on each end for the bolts to go to the body.(Using stock bolts too!) (use the rubber from the truck shocks at the top just as if you were bolting it to a truck)......................... On the drivers side you can cut the end off the top if you don't want it to stick up thru the cover. I wish right now I had a flashlight to give you some numbers but I went thru the back of the parts book years ago to compare the length and stroke just to make sure it would work.

I just found the shock boxes from the monroe magnums, (had to keep the rare stock ones) the part number on the box is 34900. thats the ones I used to convert to the magnums.
Econodave

Great job Dave
Roger you should pin that info.Thanks everyone.

consider it done.

THANKS Dave..what about rear ones? Are you running Magnums on the back too?

Would Monroe Magnum 34958 listed for 1974 E-300's work? (rockauto.com)


Those 34900's are $75 each up here.

Ecumsecumguy I'll check on the prices down here in california and get back with you. As far as the rear shocks I'm just running regular heavy duty gas shocks in the rear that are for my 72 van.. they are plenty for me. You know the bigger the rod the better the shocks.
econodave

Are the shocks the same between E-300 and E-200? just wondering. I'd like to have Magnums all the way around.

Thanks for all the advice! Getting the van out soon.

Randy
I know someone that sells the Edelbrock IAS shocks.I will check with him about the possable fit for our vans.Anyone know the answer to Randy's question E100,E200,E300 ? I have the Sensa-Trac front and the standard in the rear.Seams OK.

As far as I can tell the E200-and E300 rears are the same- at least the shocks look to be the same number.

I'm thinking I am going to go Monroe Magnums all around - 34900 (with mods) on front and 34958 on back.

Thanks to EcononDave!

I checked with my buddy and there are no Edelbrock shocks that will fit at this time.
He gave me a 2005 Napa shock book in it here is what I found.They are Monroe shocks with the Napa name and/or part number.The only shocks available for the front are Sensa-Trac P/N 37190 E100,E200 and E300.Unless you make the modification Dave suggested then Napa calls them Gas Grande P/N76900 or Monroe Gas magnum P/N 34900.On to the rear for E100 and E200 Napa's name is Response p/n 94009 and Monroe name is Monro-matic plus P/N32164.
Here is where it gets tricky.Rear E300 Napa name is Gas grande P/N76958 and Monroe is Gas Magnum P/N34958.All E100,E200 and E300 have the same mounting points and shock ends.But the rear E300's are listed as compression length 12.625" and Extension length 20.375".The E100,E200 are 12.875"X21.375"
ONE inch longer on the Extension length.I'm pretty sure the better E300 Gas Grande/Gas Magnum shocks will work on all three vans but someone should measure to make sure.

Hmm..Very good sleuthing Don!

I wonder if the 1" extension difference will be critical. Hmm..

I notice on rockauto.com there are several sets of rear shocks that fit both E-200 and E-300

KYB 344085
KYB Gas Adjust 5419
KYB Monomax 565037
AC Delco Monotubes 5405011

Maybe difference is not critical between E-200 and E-300 for the Magnums?

Someone with a E100 should measure and post for us.The E100 has the most drop
with less leaf springs.To do this remove the back shocks and lift the van from the frame (HA HA) or the back bumper.then measure the distance from top shock bolt to bottom shock bolt.I can't use my van it's stuck in the garage right now.Be careful not the bend anything.

Actually Don I have a E-100 but I was planning to put in springs from a E-200.

It is still in storage tho. WE got snow last night!

Ok I am going for it..

Magnums were on 20% off this week..and a $20 Monroe rebate..still not cehap but these puppies are HD!

Econonodave..how big did you drill the center hole in the front adapter plate??

So soon....new front springs, front and rear sway bars and new shocks.

Well...you are gonna hate my answer, I don't remember exact size of the bit...but "big enough to fit thru"....sorry...ha ha .......
dave

I saw this on E-bay...thoughts?

E-bay Gabriel Shocks

I have those Gabriel "classics" on my 100. In my opinion, they're too weak for a van of any size.

Hey Roger,

I'm sorry. but I'm not sure whether you meant these shocks are to weak for all of our vans, or they are too weak for a large van. I only ask because I have a little van and wonder if they would be good for my little van. Thanks Roger.

E. Wayne

Honestly, I don't think they're worth putting on any of the 68-74s. Whether it be a "shorty" or otherwise... That's just my opinion though. When I put them on the front of my 100, it didn't ride much (if any) better than it did with my old shocks on there. Even with new springs, it seemed to dive too much when stopping. There isn't much to choose from for the front of these old vans though. I may try AC Delco shocks next time.

Thanks Roger, that's what I was looking for. I think I will steer clear of them. I swear my E-200 rides smoother than my E-100. I guess I should see exactly what kind of shocks are on the big black van.

E. Wayne

I've got the original shocks my 71 came with from the factory. In fact, it's probably got the original oil in the crankcase! just kidding.
I'm looking at shocks too in the future and I would not put KYB"s on it. I ran KYB's on 2 of my cars which were half the weight of my van and LOVED them. I'd never put them on a van though.
THe gas magnum's are supposedly the stiffest shock you can buy outside of Edelbrocks.

The rear sare easy. You can get Ranchos. I'll look up the # and send it.
The fronts are not easy. You can, however, get a set of the stock lower mounts, turn them upside down and weld them to the front side of upper spring cup. Then you only have to make a lower mount which can mount the bolts which go through the I beam. I believe there is a picture in the brake conversion section on this site.

I can send pictures if you need them.

I just checked the picture in the other area and it's from the back side and doesn't show the lower mount. I'll send pics if you let me know. email is the best.

Randy
Now that you have had your shocks for some time.How do you like them?Also what part numbers did you get?Thanks Don

Don I am 150% happy!

the van rides like a dream. The magnums are great in my opinion.

I think teh part numbers are on the site somewhere. If not I will look them up.

Randy where they the Monroe gas magnum
Front P/N 34900
Rear P/N 34958 ??????
Thanks Don

Ok who has an e-300 besides me & have you put shocks on it???
I stopped at Advance auto parts today & they want 39+ for the rear (Monroe Gas),
& have no listing for front & no oil shocks listed for our vans at all. If I had 220
in the garage I'd go with the conversion but my little mig welders just won't cut it
for something like that & I don't feel very confortable about trying to use the dryer plug
to run the Lincoln 225.

Ron

Econodave

Why don't you move next door to me? then I can really put a bunch of those great ideas to work on my E-300 Motorhome.

Ron

Don those are the numbers..they usually go on sale this time of year so look around and check the monroe website too for specials.

Thanks Randy
Ron there is no welding involved and it's well worth the small hassel.Cut some flat stock to lenght and drill three holes in each.
Can Randy or Dave post pictures of that for all of us?Thanks Don

Don

Thanks, My mistake I thought I read somewhere that it had to be welded.
Ron

http://econolines.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=686&st=0