1952-59 Ford 54 ford rear shocks too short?

my car is off the frame and rear shocks are in, new leaf springs, 1" blocks, the shocks are fully extended at about 17 ". The problem is when I jump on the rear of the frame, no travel, stiff as a board, are they too short??? PS, I can't remember the part number of the shocks, maybe 5517 kyb gas adjust

 

Are you sure it's the shocks and not the springs? HRP

 

EZ solution,I had to use these also: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d....oap?ck=Search_N0146_-1_-1&pt=N0146&ppt=C0339

 

Plenty of flex before the shocks went in, cool part, Jeff. I'll give them a try.

 

You have to remember that with no body the shocks will fully extend because there is a lot less weight on them. Before doing anything, I would wait till everything is together before adding extensions. You may find that you still need extensions, but adding them now might not be the correct thing. Plus you got new springs that haven't been broken in yet.

And with not enough weight on the shocks it's hard to move them just by jumping on the frame.

The shocks I have I had to use the extensions because the rear would not drop down enough to remove the tires on my 54.

 

I had a set of the KYB shocks on the rear of my 54...and discovered that they weren't letting my suspension extend all the way. This made changing the rear tires really difficult.

The stock shocks I had on it previously were in decent shape so I reinstalled them and found that I not only liked the ride better but they allowed full travel on the rear suspension.

I like the KYB's on the front but the KYB's, in the part number recommended here, on the rear are a no-go for me.

 

If the body is off, there is not much weight on the frame to compress the springs.

 

This happens when you try to install fronts with no engine. Got to grab a few friends to stand on the bumper.

 

Jeff, others - I put a set of those shock stud extenders on my '56, one of them snapped off after only a few miles. I solved the problem by putting a set of HiJacker air shocks on the car. No issues since and can easily adjust the height while still having a comfortable ride.

 

I've had my extenders (Mr Gasket) on for 5 or more years without any problems.