I was thinking, if I could swap an A frame from a newer car for the upper A frame/shock absorber my 50 Olds 88 has now. Then run a shock inside the coil spring. Has anyone done this before?
I see now. the upper a arm is the shock absorber https://www.ebay.com/itm/336258944614?_skw=1950+Oldsmobile+88&itmmeta=01KAQ37VS9**BP5DT3637WHM55&hash=item4e4a984e66:g:fAMAAeSweIdoMbs7&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA8NHOg0D50eDiCdi/fP0r02ume/sbjFgKmw79Wt3FcGKoSn5I3OSKvoiT+1Wj823I2pY+Zkijzz0t3oDDZh4mPOyd0PoWhB/hqfzWrX6FJS5D2NxBCQMJDKh/TnfuoOm0vKjhySHq00n3owsLUvMc2/dBtW0cyWzwE/t5OH1f9v8SWrH04uq8WC3omyAgnn0XiKG5jFGjg5U/VxeS7qZWICMocSHscoYQEa/vQfb3bjow+KuBG4vVpqVblk2RZ+tm0XkMsP2x3XgXQ7Pztc34lvSyg7Inhc6GRhCEGgpgzhGjLZ7GhLDhowefdquA3BDzoQ==|tkp:BFBM5Lyf49Vm&fits=Year:1950|Make:Oldsmobile|Model:88
This may sound stupid, but is there any reason why you can't leave the uppers as is and add a tube shock that runs through the spring? It may take some fabricating and welding to the lower a arms to mount the shocks ..
By adding a tube shock wouldn’t you be adding to the unsprung weight? Apple hydraulics can rebuild the shocks, or buy on eBay. The front could be lowered by cutting the spring. IMO rebuilt shocks probably wouldn’t cost any more than modifying, maybe less and would be less work. If I was going to use the upper A arm/shock I would replace the bushings at minimum. https://www.applehydraulicsonline.com/collections/oldsmobile Dan
what is your goal? tube shocks? we don't know what you are trying to fix. IMHO, the answer to your question is no.
I was just wondering if anyone had come up with a way to update the front suspension without clipping it. Those A frame shocks were not that good when new, cars sort of floated down the road. When the shock is warn out the bushings are usually bad by then also. Which is why I don't want to just add a shock inside the spring. Just wanting to make it ride and steer better.
Oh boy, I forgot that those wonderful cars had that kind of front suspension. I guess my question is; does it feel like the whole front suspension needs to be rebuilt or are the shocks just weak? If it seems ok, I would look at adding a modern shock absorber somehow like the NASCAR guys used to do.
I believe those old GM lever action shock setups used fluid in them? When I had a 47 Chevy years ago, a couple of old-time stock car racers I knew said they'd use heavier oil/fluid in those shocks to stiffen up the action. So there you go - an old school, traditional solution to your problem!
I would think you could somehow gut the insides of the shock, or maybe just drain the oil ? not sure how those things work. then fabricate whatever it takes to put a shock inside the spring. there is a guy near me who could take the A-Arm and shock for measurements and build an a-arm and anchor point from scratch from tubing and steel plate. he builds his own MII style suspension from scratch for air ride. he had a late 30's convertible (can't remember what it was) in his shop last time I stopped in to annoy him while he's trying to get things done with his own MII style suspension. it is like a Bomb show at his shop every day.
Yup, drain the shock oil, replace the bushings if needed and add a shock in the ctr of the spring, why reinvent the wheel??
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