Anybody that is running a straight axle what size shocks are you running in the front? I put these on my 40 but they have no give. I can push down on the front end and there is no push down makes the ride rough. Any suggestions? Specifications Of The 343160: Compressed Length (In): 14.17 Extended Length (In): 21.06 Internal Rebound Spring: N Lower Mount Type: E2(10x40) Stroke Length: 6.89 Upper Mount Type: S1
Either your spring rate is too high. or The dampers are fully compressed or are binding when installed. You should be able to achieve some movement of those units by pushing on the fender of the car.
Shock 343160 is not made for the front or the rear of a stock solid axle 1940 Ford. I installed tube shocks on my 40 and they are different than what you show. Can you post photos of your suspension/shock set up? Also, your lower perch bolt shock mount set up is incorrect. Look here: shock absorber 343160 - Search MountingLengthSheeta.pdf
Just put new shocks on my 40 coupe. 4 1086 P&J's hot rod shocks. The shocks that came with the CE rear spring kit were leaking after about 5K and the front shocks were some really old Monroe's I assume had been on the car since it was built in CA. I have the same mounting setup on the front as 19Fordy. I considered Ride Tech but couldn't bring myself to spend $1200k. .
Yeah I just changed the rear Leaf and shocks to Pete & Jake’s shock kits and Posies super slide from buggy spring. The front end had old Monroe shocks that I couldn’t match up to anything and the mounting head for the axle side broke. So I measured the length of it and the compressed length but there is no give in it at all now.
Do you know what the application if for that shock? We use KYB shocks in all of our kits and they work quite well.
KYB 343160 Rear Excel-G shock absorber Buick , Chevy, Oldsmobile, Pontiac but it was the only one that would fit the size and the ends that I required
changed the rear spring. still running the straight axle buggy spring up front. only thing changed was shocks due to necessity because 1 broke
Those dampers are coming up for the rear of a Chevy lumina mini van!! Considerably heavier than your 40. also if they are mounted at any sort of angle on the lumina then they will be valved to suit that application, so mounting them vertically will make that over damping even worse
I dont know where the lumina van came from but I understand the mounting issue possibility. trying to figure out what to replace them with that will work
The lower appears shock mount pin appears to be bent and hitting the frame. Not good. If possible, make that repair and install rubber shock mounts that prevent lateral movement of the lower shock. You may find that you need to shorten the height of that homemade upper shock "tower" mount. It looks a bit too tall. I found this chart very helpful. Open and scroll down. Monroe shock length Chart
I would trade out the overly tall mounts you have for either the CE brackets or the old stand by bolt on mounts that 19fordy pictured above. Then you will have more choice. Gas charged shock are harsher than non-gas charged too.
The shock you have is putting a lot of leverage on the lower shock mount, you need shocks with a much shorter mounting spacer or cut down what you have. The shock needs to be as close to the mount as possible.