Just finishing up my rear suspension refurb and trying to decide which rear shocks to use. I'm a big fan of KYB and would prefer the 5514's. Stock ride height in the rear. Wondering what everyone else is using? '54 Customline with stock rearend for those who don't know.
I would have to agree with the video there have been guys that did not like the KYB's ride on 50's Fords and actually removed them after them being on a short time. The Autozone Duralast TS32-33922B is a Gabriel rebranded for $23.99 each this shock was used on a lot of cars even late 50's to mid 60's Cadillacs.
Great video! Checking the eatonsprings.com website I find that the KYB Excel G series have way less psi that the Gas-A-Just series. As low as 5 psi. I measured my stock shocks and they came in at 11-1/2" closed and 19-1/2" extended. On the KYB website I found a pair of Excel G 344052 shocks measuring 11.3" closed and 19.37" extended with the standard 3/8" stem mount on both ends (just like ours). https://www.amazon.com/KYB-344052-Excel-G-Gas-Shock/dp/B000C44CH6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=kyb+gas+shock+344052&qid=1596505081&sr=8-3# Tomorrow I'll call the KYB tech line and see what they have to say about it.
On the Vic a couple of years ago I went the whole package front and rear - springs, sway bars, and shocks. On smooth roads the car rides flat and firm and corners nicely, but hit a rough patch and watch out. My 3/4 ton crew cab DD is a more comfortable ride on rough roads.
Do you know what the Gabriel number is? Autozone shows me TS32-34011B (front) for $33.99 and TS32-33922B (rear) for $25.99. Rock Auto shows two front shocks available - Gabriel 82026 ($17.01) and Monroe/OESpectrum 5751 ($22.71), but no non-gas rear shocks.
I sent an email to KYB and they got back to me telling me they charge their Excel G line to 110 psi on average. So much for that! Eaton Springs say something different. Maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow. I definitely don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars each on hydraulic shocks!
From the "Sticky" https://www.carid.com/gabriel/guardian-nitrogen-gas-charged-rear-shock-absorber-mpn-81270.html And https://www.carid.com/gabriel/classic-front-driver-or-passenger-side-shock-absorber-mpn-82026.html
This came up on ebay for rear shocks( notice the extended length): https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Set-2...609069&hash=item3b47c77208:g:ktMAAOSwebhd17A6 I have the Gabriels(above part numbers) on my '54 but after installing them on the rear I could not get the tire back in the wheel well the car is not lowered so to get close to the extended length of the old OEM shock I added a 2" Mr Gasket shock extension then it allowed enough drop to install the tire. Over the years the Gabriels listed in the "Sticky" worked fine for cars lowered 2"- 3" because their extended length is shorter.
About the same as most Fords I've had in the past with stock suspensions had I known they were shorter than stock on the rear I would gone with the Monroe on the rear so I would not need the extensions. Another thing to keep in mind with tires is the more sidewall the better the ride. Check out this video I saw yesterday.
And for you '57 owners, changing the rear shocks to Monroe 31125 will give you an added few inches of axle drop to help get those tires out without unbolting shocks. After 38k miles, I've had no issues whatsoever with the reduced compression bottoming out. I've not heard of any issues from other '57 owners who have done the same. Not sure how it would work out for a wagon or Ranchero that could have extra loads. I just received my new ball joints, and since everything is going to be apart, I also ordered new shocks front and rear (and new wheel bearings, brake pads, etc.). KYB's in the front. Yep, when you drive these cars, you wear some things out!!
I finally got around to replacing the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks and it makes a big difference. I replaced them with Gabriels (82026 front and 81270 rear). It doesn't feel like I'm driving my tractor anymore.
Just as a heads up - I got the shocks though Rock Auto and paid $17 for the front 82026. One of those shocks had a********** sticker on the case. I got curious and peeled it back to find a NAPA sticker underneath. So it started off as a Gabriel, got rebranded as a NAPA, then rebranded again as a Gabriel. Apparently it's a really high quality sticker, because NAPA lists the same shock (with NAPA branding) for $34. Double the price.
For a '55. With Aerostar springs up front, new leafs in back, and new sway bars front and back, the extra boost from the KYB shocks was just too much.
I forgot about this thread! The same part #s should work for a '54, right? Also, who makes a fatter front sway bar for a '54?
I was curious after looking at the Gabriel website. So i called Gabriel tech line. The technician says all their shocks have gas charging. They dont mfg any of the old style non-gas. So i have Gabriels on my 54 that are gas charged and i was hoping to find some non-charged. So now i am wondering what to do. Hope someone can shed some light here. Thanks
Pretty sure we had listed a source in the "Sticky FAQ" maybe on page 2 or 3. Nascar Dave posted about those a while back also.
These may be non gas give them a call. https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/fordpart.php?number=7RC-18125-A
If I remember correctly, I got a bigger anti-sway bar for my 54 from thunderbirdssouthwest.com (Lance Harrington)
I don't have personal experience with these folks, but have seen them recommended in the past. https://www.shocks2springs.com/ https://www.shocks2springs.com/hydraulic-vs-gas-shocks-comparison.html Also, my understanding is that there is a difference between "gas-filled" and "gas-charged", with charged shocks being under high pressure (which makes them so stiff).
That's where I got mine for my '57. Also, I think Concorse carries the same, check pricing including shipping from both. Concorse is closer to you, so shipping may be cheaper.
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