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Index > Suspension > Thread: Shocks Recommendations
Thread: Shocks Recommendations [' This thread is 2 pages long: (1) 2 ']
Uncle-Jim


Revvin Up
Posts: 64
posted March 13, 2002 11:22 AM

Shocks Recommendations

Spring is in the air, and time to fix up the REPU. I really have to replace the tre's, ball joints, and update the suspension. I would really appreciate any suggestions you have as the best and worst schocks to use. My local "Schucks" has Monroe Road warriors in stock for $24.ea.
??
Thanks,
Jim
____________
Uncle Jim
72 Rx-2 Show Car; '77 REPU (250K & goin' strong) 2 - '76 Cosmo's

       
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Jeff20B


Moderator
Posts: 661
posted March 13, 2002 12:41 PM

I got four gas charged heavy duty Monroe shocks from Schuck's two weeks ago. I still haven't installed them. My friend's REPU has KYB gas adjust and they 'keep him bouning' (good old KYB!). They definently feel better than my old solid feeling shocks (I almost need a kidney belt to drive my truck anymore), but they also tend to keep bouncing a little after every bump.

To answer your question, uh, hmm, I have no idea, but I bet my Monroes are super cheap and will probably be only a slight improvement over what I already have. We'll see.
____________
'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7

       
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Uncle-Jim


Revvin Up
Posts: 64
posted March 13, 2002 03:52 PM

I have no idea how long the current shocks have been on my Repu. I've put almost 80K on her and haven't changed anything.
I do most of my driving on the hiway, with a light load, and now I'm noticing the bouncing continues after the bump. I don't want to install "kidney killer" shocks, but I do need to stay with real good quality.
Since the chassis has almost 200k now, I'm thinking I'll be best off to replace everything.
Jim
____________
Uncle Jim
72 Rx-2 Show Car; '77 REPU (250K & goin' strong) 2 - '76 Cosmo's

       
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Jeff20B


Moderator
Posts: 661
posted March 14, 2002 02:55 AM

Yeah, do that. Try to replace the old rubber stuff with nolathane or whatever will work. By the way, how is your steering slop?
____________
'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7

       
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Uncle-Jim


Revvin Up
Posts: 64
posted March 14, 2002 04:45 PM

Any Idea where I could find nolothane bushings? I put these on my Rx-2, and like them a lot.
Steering!! I need help with that. It's loose. I've tightened the adjustor, but only helped some, and I'm worried about it too tight. I should disassemble the whole box, clean it and rebuild.
However, any and all advice is appreciated.
____________
Uncle Jim
72 Rx-2 Show Car; '77 REPU (250K & goin' strong) 2 - '76 Cosmo's

       
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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted March 14, 2002 11:00 PM

Where to get frontend parts...

Let me just guess that TRE's, as you call 'em, and ball joints, are gonna be more of a challenge to find than shocks, by a long shot. I like my KYB's fine for the price, but if you can afford whatever, buy the Best! (Koni; Bilstein)Oh, wait--you mountain-goat it: Rancho?... I'd guess that perhaps the courier versions of the parts are even easier for '77 than earlier, due to the numbers produced--but if you wanna stay w./ stock Mazda parts, let me just say that John Skagen of Rotaries Plus in Gresham, OR., once got me a set of ball joints from his "buddies in Canada"...
Then again, I could sure use 'nolothane', or urethane, or just new rubber bushings, tie rod ends, etc. as well--lemme know if and for how much, for '74 REPU, would you?
The ball& nut is another matter...easiest: find a low miles replacement. (maybe not so easy!) Rebuild? Perhaps... What about a rack'n pinion unit we could swap in??? Would be too cool, if you don't have to chop up the REPU to make it fit.
Don't suppose NOS/ reman steering boxes are available? Courier unit should be identical same year (unlike some of the frontend parts...)

       
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jfaplanet


Redlining
Posts: 356
posted March 15, 2002 09:26 PM

my 2 cents worth...

The front end on a 84 B2000 bolts right up to the REPU frame. The upper and lower A frames are the same size. Don't know if the ball joint is the same because I used the 84 spindles and brakes. The Tie rods and center link are the same lenght. It might be worth it to check it out as I am sure that the 78-84 B2000 parts are still available. The steering gear box is different but will bolt onto the frame. As are the pitman arm and Idler arm. The 84 is different but bolts right on if you use all 84 parts. Thats my 2 cents worth.. Good luck.

Charles

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Jeff20B


Moderator
Posts: 661
posted March 16, 2002 01:33 AM
Edited By: Jeff20B on 16 Mar 2002 01:42

And it was worth every penny. Thanks fap!
____________
'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7

       
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Uncle-Jim


Revvin Up
Posts: 64
posted March 18, 2002 08:26 AM

An 84 B2000! Sounds very interesting. Is there a specific advantage to using these parts?
I think the Repu would benefit from power steering, and I've been looking at using the Ps unit from my parts Cosmo. However, I haven't done the measuring yet.
Thanks for all the good ideas!

____________
Uncle Jim
72 Rx-2 Show Car; '77 REPU (250K & goin' strong) 2 - '76 Cosmo's

       
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Jeff20B


Moderator
Posts: 661
posted March 18, 2002 11:12 PM
Edited By: Jeff20B on 18 Mar 2002 23:14

Isn't the Cosmo unit reversed from the REPU? I know for a fact that the first gen unit is reversed from the REPU. Well, if it's a mirror image it may work 180º out. The best way is to try it and see.

Edit: oops, just look at how the REPU unit attatches to the frame compared to the Cosmo unit. Not a true bolt in, but if some of the internal parts could be rotated 180º...
____________
'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7

       
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Uncle-Jim


Revvin Up
Posts: 64
posted March 26, 2002 09:46 AM

Tokico Shox?

I have a bid of $200 for 4 Tokico from Shox Inc. $50 ea. is about as high as I've seen, so I'm wondering if they are worth the price. Retail on these parts is almost $100 ea.
Anybody have experience with Tokico shocks?
Thanks in advance.
____________
Uncle Jim
72 Rx-2 Show Car; '77 REPU (250K & goin' strong) 2 - '76 Cosmo's

       
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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted March 26, 2002 10:23 AM

No personal exp. with Tokico's, but...

...if they usually sell for $100 each, they oughta be pretty snazzy! Are they REPU-specific? Gas-charged? Adjustable??? Is there a warranty? Are they meant for the street, or racing? Off-road? Too cool if these are the ones that got/get run on the real race trucks! Possibly, these could be a good deal for some of the rest of us, too--if there are more available... Get them to give you a decal/sticker set with 'em if you get 'em, just for the helluvit!

       
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rotarynews


Moderator
Too Many Rotary Websites
Posts: 206
posted March 26, 2002 06:16 PM

Tokico's

I ran Tokico's on my 1st gen, and they made a big difference... well, a big difference than the POS K-mart shocks that were on there.

If I remember right, they did come with stickers in the package... :)


I pay $150+ per shock on my 3rd gen, so anything less is no problem.


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Uncle-Jim


Revvin Up
Posts: 64
posted March 27, 2002 03:46 PM

More Chassis Q's

Guys,
I very much appreciate your help here. I have another parts source for shocks and Tie rod ends (TRE's) et al. But they have no listing for Rotary Trucks, only the B1800. Does anyone know if they are in fact the same chassis?
Thanks,
____________
Uncle Jim
72 Rx-2 Show Car; '77 REPU (250K & goin' strong) 2 - '76 Cosmo's

       
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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted March 27, 2002 07:50 PM

They are in fact different.

While B1800's & REPU's may or may not have some parts in common--I don't know--the dimensions/track width of the REPU alone indicate they are not identical...

       
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Draggin_2600i


Redlining
Posts: 235
posted May 18, 2002 04:09 PM

Suspension questions

Anyone ever try to put on mustang spindles to convert the suspension to 5 lug. then you could run bigger brakes up front and maybe get a mustang rear end too and put disc brakes on it.

       
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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted May 19, 2002 10:16 PM

You can be the first to try it...

...and rear discs would be nice...but you couldn't pay me to chop up a functional REPU suspension to change the lug pattern. There is nothing wrong with the stock rearend--if it's in good shape, it'll take more power/abuse than most folks can provide. Only reason to switch to Ford is super Hi-po race applications, or the need for all those available gear options...just the thing for your full-race rx3 with that peripheral-port 13B.
I'd go so far as to swap springs, re-bush, and lower--anything that doesn't destroy anything irreversibly. Why not try rebuilding/replacing everything to better-than-new first, and see how you like it then, with your favorite rubber underneath? Then there's balancing the truck for better handling--a much greater challenge than appearance mods... Of course, if you happen to have a trashed parts REPU to play with, mod on!

       
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draggin_2600i


Redlining
Posts: 235
posted May 20, 2002 05:44 PM

my truck has rancho air shocks out back. they seem old and tired. what would be my best bet to swap in so that I can have good handling?

       
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Rotor


Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
posted August 23, 2002 11:12 AM

I have Konis on the front of one of my '75 REPUs, and run Gabriel air shocks on the rear, with individual line kits to each shock. I used the air shocks because I haul a race car on a triler with plenty of tools and spare parts, so the air shocks are the ticket for me. Air them up, and load the stuff in the truck, and it maintains ride height. The seperate line kits prevent the outside shock in a corner from pushing the inside shock up in the air, increasing body roll, by preventing air transfer from one shock to the other.

It works for me!

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ROTOR

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Klaus43


Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
posted August 23, 2002 11:19 AM

Got some...

...part #'s--if not availability--on those Koni's for us???
Thanks!!!

       
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