Ep. 49: Built to Drive: The Thrill of Old-School Rides

Send us a textOn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by Scott from BILSTEIN’s product team to dive into the raw, rewarding world of building and driving older vehicles. From the analog charm of '80s machines to early 2000s street heroes, the crew breaks down why these cars still capture hearts today. They share personal stories from the garage—Mike’s first-gen Tundra, Shane’s OBS Bronco, and Scott’s long-loved Ford LTD—and unpack the pros and cons of restoring an old ride versus buying new. Plus, hear the hilarious tale of “The Homer Car,” the $400 LeMons racer that accidentally became a legend. If you’ve ever turned a wrench or chased that pure driving feel, this one’s for you.

Send us a textBig things are happening. This week, Mike and Shane are joined by guest host Ryan to break down the entire next-gen Toyota off-road lineup—Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia, and the Lexus variants. We go deep on trims, features, hidden differences, and which models make the most sense for different types of builds.More importantly, we’re announcing brand-new BILSTEIN shock packages designed specifically for these trucks. Some are on shelves now. Others are just about to launch. This is one of our biggest off-road rollouts ever—and we’re giving you the full story behind the development, testing, and what makes these shocks different.If you’re serious about building a new Toyota, this is the one you don’t want to miss.👉 Check out what’s available now at cart.bilsteinus.com

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by returning guest Joseph from Product Management and Ryan from R&D to explore the booming world of camper conversions and van life. From full-size RVs to DIY sprinter van builds, the crew breaks down the key differences in suspension needs across the camping spectrum—and what BILSTEIN recommends for each setup. Ryan even shares details about his personal sprinter van build, and the team teases some exciting new products designed specifically for van lifers and overland enthusiasts. Whether you're living full-time on the road or just planning your next weekend escape, this one’s for you. 🏕️🚐 #BILSTEIN #ShockTalk #VanLife #SprinterVanBuild #CamperConversion #RVlife #Overland

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by BILSTEIN team member and longtime BMW enthusiast, Joseph. From years on the tech lines to now managing the product catalog, Joseph brings a unique perspective as the crew dives deep into BILSTEIN’s full street performance lineup—including coilovers and the EVO series.Whether you’re daily driving, weekend canyon carving, or chasing lap times, this episode breaks down which product is right for which type of customer, the pros and cons of each option, and expert setup tips to help you get the most out of your suspension. Joseph also shares some of the toughest tech questions he’s had to answer—and the solutions you need to know.

Send us a textOn this episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by Aaron, BILSTEIN’s U.S. Head of Motorsports, and Keith from the motorsports team based in Mooresville, North Carolina—right in the heart of American racing. They break down the critical role of car setup, how tuning strategies differ between dirt and circle track classes, and how cutting-edge tools like AI are shaping the future of performance. Whether you're racing on clay or asphalt, this one’s full of insight from the people helping top teams find speed every weekend. 🏁

Send us a textThis week on Shock Talk, Mike and Shane are joined by Fabian, the marketing team lead from BILSTEIN’s global headquarters in Germany. They dive into the latest motorsports marketing efforts happening in Germany and explore the state-of-the-art facilities at the Nürburgring, including BILSTEIN’s industry-leading 7-post rig used to fine-tune vehicle performance. They also break down the key differences between the European sports car scene and the U.S. off-road world—plus, they settle once and for all how to correctly pronounce BILSTEIN. Buckle up for a deep dive into the world of high-performance suspension and motorsports!

Send us a textOn this episode of Shock Talk, hosts Shane and Junior sit down with off-road racer Doug Mittag and BILSTEIN shock tuner Nathan for an inside look at the world of UTV racing and suspension tuning. Doug shares insights into his business, where he builds high-performance UTVs and chassis for desert racing, and reflects on his incredible 2nd place finish at the King of the Hammers Desert Challenge in his Polaris Pro R. The conversation dives deep into shock tuning and the evolution of the BILSTEIN Black Hawk UTV program, where Doug and Nathan played a pivotal role in pushing the technology forward. If you’re into off-road racing, suspension tuning, or just love a good shop talk session, this episode is a must-listen!https://offroad.bilstein.com/en-us/products/black-hawk-powersports/ 

Send us a textFor this special episode of Shock Talk, Mike and Junior take the show to the rugged lakebed of Johnson Valley during King of the Hammers! They’re joined by BILSTEIN shock tuner Nathan and legendary racer Brian Deegan for an action-packed conversation covering Brian’s journey in motorsports, his approach to car setup and race strategy for KOH, and an in-depth tech dive into BILSTEIN’s Black Hawk Powersports shocks. Using a cutaway model, the crew breaks down the adjustability and performance benefits of this cutting-edge suspension system. Whether you’re a hardcore off-road racer or just a fan of high-performance suspension, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!https://offroad.bilstein.com/en-us/products/black-hawk-powersports/

Send us a textThis week on Shock Talk, Junior and Steve are joined by Class 11 desert racer Cameron Brantz to explore the world of vintage VW Beetle racing. They break down the history of Class 11 in off-road racing, the unique challenges of competing in nearly stock Bugs, and Cameron’s journey as a racer. From brutal desert terrain to the camaraderie of the Class 11 community, this episode is packed with insight and passion for one of the most iconic racing classes in off-road.

Send us a textIn this episode of Shock Talk, hosts Mike and Shane welcome special guests Ryan and Miguel from BILSTEIN’s R&D team to explore the intricate world of shock test fitting and design. Discover the unique challenges of developing shocks for a variety of vehicles and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into ensuring a perfect fit.Ryan shares insights into his Sprinter van project, while Miguel talks about his hands-on experiences supporting BILSTEIN’s efforts at Baja races. This episode is packed with fascinating stories and technical expertise, offering a fresh perspective on the artistry of shock design. Don’t miss this deep dive into the foundation of ride performance!Vehicle Submission Form: https://web.bilsteinus.com/vehicle-submission