Shocks for D1200 4X4 Travelall

M

MarkO

Member
Hello all!

I need to do something to smooth out the ride of my '65 d1200 4x4 Travelall.

I have talked with several people and they have all said the place to start is to replace the shocks.

The only off road wheeling I do is around the property here which is low and slow and basically flat.

My needs are geared more towards getting a boulevard quality ride going down the road than aggressive handling off road.

Down the road I am going to need to replace the spring packs, bushings, body mounts, etc. But I have to start somewhere and shocks seem to be the best place.

I know d1200 4x4 and boulevard quality ride are not words you usually see in the same sentence. But my wife really does not like the ride and any improvement would be greatly appreciated by her.

And you know what the adage says, "if mama ain't happy, ain't no one gonna be happy".

I want mama to be happy with the ride.

So my question would be, what shocks should I get?

I have read different articles about shocks and I am now more confused than I was before I started.

Since most of my driving will be on pavement I do not think I need aggressive valving, not that I know what the different valving does to the performance of a shock.

I don't think I need coil over or air since weight carrying is never going to be an issue. When things get heavy it is usually towed behind so increasing weight carrying characteristics are not that important at this time.

The most important criteria is smoothing out the bumps while going down the road.

Thanks in adavnace.
 
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I suppose my first question is why Bilstein?

What is it about Bilstein that makes them a better option?

I am a great one for doing things once instead of multiple times. I have a hard enough time getting things done once. Forget about doing things twice.

The fact one brand May cost more than another is moot if the result is better.

I have read about shock valving and how the different valving can have a dramatic difference in performance.

Is this something that would be good to know or is my application such that pretty standard is good enough?
 
marko said:
I suppose my first question is why Bilstein?
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because they are a hi quality shock with great dampening characteristics that we have found through years of using the product hold up to the same beating an IH truck normally takes. In other words it just happens to be our preferred choice.

marko said:
what is it about Bilstein that makes them a better option?
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a better option to what? Rancho? Rough Country? This question is somewhat open ended so I will pass on answering it until I have more information.

marko said:
I am a great one for doing things once instead of multiple times. I have a hard enough time getting things done once. Forget about doing things twice.

The fact one brand May cost more than another is moot if the result is better.

I have read about shock valving and how the different valving can have a dramatic difference in performance.

Is this something that would be good to know or is my application such that pretty standard is good enough?
Click to expand...
pretty standard on the valving. We have found that the 255/70 valving works very well with the demands of the heavy IH vehicle.

Hope this additional information helps in your decision.
 
So how much is a set of four shocks going to cost?

Will they be a straight replacement or will I have to modify anything?

Thanks.
 
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