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Technical Rear shocks

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Eastwood34, Apr 12, 2025.

  1. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    I just picked up a 34 Ford Coupe fiberglass with a 9" rear-end looking for suggestions on some rear shocks
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  2. wuga
    Joined: Sep 21, 2008
    Posts: 687

    wuga
    Member

    You probably have less then 800 lbs of sprung weight, so you don't need a very aggressive shock. After you have your rear suspension, then figure out where your upper and lower shock mounts are going. Typically the mounts are 12"-13" apart at rest. Most hot rod shocks use a 1/2" bolt eye. Hot rod shocks from Speedway or Socal work great. The shocks should be at an outward angle at the bottom of about 10 to 15 degrees making sure they don't hit anything in their travel or don't bind.
    Warren
     
  3. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,673

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Will depend on the suspension setup. Buggy spring, coil overs? ??
     
    05snopro440 likes this.
  4. Are there no shocks currently?

    OR, is there an issue with the installed shocks?

    The starting point is not clear, as the rod was recently acquired.
     
  5. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,516

    manyolcars

    I talked to a guy today who said 80 pound coilovers were just right for this car. 120 was too much thot.jpg
     
  6. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 14,883

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have installed a lot of shocks on a lot of cars and my "go to" on classic stuff is Bilstein. I have them on my 34 ford roadster and my 41 ford PU. They ride nice, work as designed and come in chrome! Bonus! :cool:
     
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  7. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Buggy springs
     
  8. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Issue with the existing ones
     
  9. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Do you have a model # I can look up. I like Bilstein, I have them on a Mustang
     
    Bandit Billy likes this.
  10. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 14,883

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Speccie and Just Gary like this.
  11. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 2,256

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Speedway list chromed Bilstein shocks in 3 lengths. Fabulous shocks.

    Chris
     
  12. The Bilsteins on the rear of my buggy sprung highboy are '84-'87 Corvette rears.
    I believe the # is 24-192297
    86-4600 series.

    They have 35k miles and are quite nice. A vast improvement over the P&J shocks that were exhausted at 30k miles.
     
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  13. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Thanks I'll look them up.
     
  14. panhead_pete
    Joined: Feb 22, 2006
    Posts: 3,673

    panhead_pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    As its a buggy spring what are the symptoms you are trying to fix? Please post pics of your current setup.
     
  15. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Just trying to upgrade form Pete and Jake's shocks
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Let us know how you resolved your rear shock problem.
    What the status of the front shocks?
     
  17. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 2,256

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Parallel leaf springs, not (transverse) 'buggy' spring. Should be relatively easy to find quality replacement. Suggest you avoid gas filled shocks.

    Chris
     
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  18. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Thank you all for your input, I went with Bilstein. Now waiting for them to show up.
     
    Bandit Billy, Tim and panhead_pete like this.
  19. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 14,883

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I drove my roadster last night to meet up with friends that flew into town unexpectedly. The car rides so nice and corners well for what it is, I thought of your post while driving. You cannot go wrong with Bilstein. You can get cheap and tolerable. You can get a deal on mediocre. Or you can just pony up, pay the price and get the best...which I see you did.

    Make sure you post your review after install.
     
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  20. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Sorry for the delay on this had some other things to take of before I could take her for a ride. Bilstein shocks were definitely the way to go.
     

    Attached Files:

  21. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 7,318

    RodStRace
    Member

    Thank you for a resolution! Glad you are happy with the result.
     
  22. What part number for those rear shocks?
     
    Algoma56 likes this.
  23. Eastwood34
    Joined: Apr 12, 2025
    Posts: 9

    Eastwood34

    Bilstein F4-BOA-0000788 rear and BSN-24-185035 front
     
    pprather and RodStRace like this.

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