Wondering if anyone has been running the socal front shocks and if they are happy with them.I have used a variety of front shocks over the years but like the little flair that socal uses on the cover of the shock. I have heard that gas shocks are too stiff for most prewar hotrods. These will be on a 32 5w with flathead so not a ton of weight up front. Thanks in advance,Bob
Bob. What works for me is '63 to '83 Corvette rear shock. Use the stock bottom end shock, NO heavy duty, NO gas charged. This was the original Pete & Jake rod shock. Has worked on all of my stuff for a lot of years. Don
Don, Do you know what the inside diameter of the steel sleeve in the upper eye measures? I wouldn't mind trying a set but I don't think they will fit my F1 shock mounts, I guessing you could press them out? Thanks...Mark
Just looked them up. Autozone Guardian Shock #81880. Fully extended 14.73" collapsed 9.62" $19.99 ea. no eyelet size was mentioned.
I've used the SO Cal shocks on a couple of builds, including my current RPU. Never had a problem, they are SO SO quality, not as good riding as the Bilstiens but better looking
I think if Bilstiens produced their shocks with a covered option, we'd all be using them. Pricey, but you get what ya pay for. I run the shorty SoCals and they're so so.
I had them on all 4 corners of my 4 banger powered roadster that was basically stock and original except for the removal of the fenders. With no shocks (no, not driven like that) the suspension was very soft. With the shocks fitted it became very firm, verging on solid. It rode very firmly and handled well but it wasn't what you'd call comfortable and wasn't for long distances, well not for me anyway. Might be different with a flathead or smallblock though? Chris
I run them front and rear on my car. Basically stock A model with every bit of life that can be taken out of the springs to lower it and i think they are wonderfull. But I ran without any shocks at all for a year so maybe anything would be good after that.
Don, Do you know what the inside diameter of the steel sleeve in the upper eye measures? I wouldn't mind trying a set but I don't think they will fit my F1 shock mounts, I guessing you could press them out? Thanks...Mark Mark, the top sleeve is 7/16". Press the sleeve out for a 5/8" stud. other dimensions have been provided. Lower mount is 5/8" Again, heavy duty is NOT what you need unless you are dealing with other issues. I use the AutoZone shock, made by Gabriel. Don
Those shocks are listed as gas charged shock.I used a Monroe shock similar to the socal.I haven't driven the car yet but realized after I put them on and tried to bounce the front end there going to be too stiff.Really need to find an old hydraulic type shock.Ive looked for a few weeks and havnet found anything yet.
The Monroe shock would be for a 1950 Plymouth, have the part at home, run them on my Model A Sent from my SGH-T399 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
shocks are 5752 Monroe,cover a wide range of applications from mid to light weight front ends.I agree the only thing that made them look usable was the looks and the travel range.Had to start somewhere and they were pretty cheap cost wise.
I have fitted a pair of chromed and no dust cover so cal shocks on the front of my 55 ford popular, anglia to you guys. i know it a light car fitted with a Buick 215 cu in motor and an i beam axle and as these shocks are nitrogen filled my car rides much better with these than p& j ones so i would recommend them
These are the Monroe 5752, has a small bell to the cover and is short money to buy. 5/8 eye’s around 12 3/4” extended and 8 3/4” compressed
I ran a set of SoCal shocks on the front of my 32 3w highboy with a SBC, no issues, they were on the car when I sold it 10 plus years later. Never really thought about how old they were until now. I would buy them again.
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