1952-59 Ford Best Shocks for your car?

Well, i need to get some new shocks for the ol vicky. The front ones rattle pretty bad and im not sure if they ever have been changed so i think i need to just brake down and do it!
Im thinking about either cutting my springs or putting in some aerostars, but i really need to get some new shocks all the way around.

So where should i look for shocks? Whats good and whats bad?



Also, should i level out the car when I redo all the front things or should I keep it the way it is with the back end a little bit lower?

opinions please on that one!

Thanks guys!

Luke

 

In terms of brands? You'll most likely end up with a Gabriel (I like gabriel shocks) or a Monroe shock, Bilsteins are great shocks too, but they're just not really worth it for your application.

In terms of part numbers, I've no idea, but I bet someone does

about the look, it is really up to you. If you lower the front, it'll give you a neat rake, more like an early 60's look (say, 62-3), if you lower the rear to match the front (about 3 inches right?) It'll give it a later 50's feel to it. Just whatever you want to do.

 

Autozone will have the Gabriel Ryder gas shocks in stock, front is # 82026,rear 81270 if you decide to lower the car 2-3" later they will still be OK as far as travel goes.For some reason they are shorter than the original Autolite OEM shocks,when I went to change a rear tire I had to let the air out to get it in the rear fenderwell with the Gabriel shock then reinflate the tire when it was back in the wheelwell.This is not uncommon with 52-54 Fords.

 

ok thanks guys! i will look them up!

 

KYB Gas-A-Just is what I run with aerostar springs in front and 3 inch blocks in the rear on my '54 Mainline. Item# KG4503 for the front and KG5517 for the rear. More expensive than Gabriels but less than Bilsteins. Had Gabriels for a long time and since I installed the KYB's I couldn't be happier.