1952-59 Ford Shocks..Gas vs Hydraulic

I am now ready for new shocks for my 53 Ford with Aerostar springs and stock height in the rear.

I am looking for a smooth ride, do not race and doubt my car will see more than 2000 miles per year.

What has been your experience and what did you use? I have read what the web has to offer, but no information like that from users.

If hydraulic, what brand and part number?


Tom

 

Both work well but for a better ride I prefer gas shocks,they do cost more. HRP

 

Thanks. Cost not an issue. Was the ride smoother/softer with gas shocks?

 

Much better ride,I have them on the '54 Ranch Wagon. HRP

 

Thank you

 

This has been the shock of choice: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shock-Absor...503-/391141742849?hash=item5b11dd5901&vxp=mtr looks to be the best price out there also.

 

Thanks Jeff

 

One of the best things I bought. You'll notice a huge difference in handling and in confort.

 

X2 on the KYB's.

 

Installed KYBs this afternoon. Will test tomorrow and share results.

 

They work fine. Gotta say the gas shocks are not the easiest to install. Now to the business of driveshaft balance.

 

I put Aerostar springs n my 56. The car looks good with them. They are about 12" out of the car vs 16" for the originals. I live on a paved country road that is due for repaving. The car only has about 1" of suspension travel up front. If you only drive on smooth roads it will be okay, but if a smooth ride is your focus, I'm not sure if they are what you want. My car hits the snubbers often on my road and I am considering taking them out. I put a spring wedge in each side. I suppose I could wedge it until it didn't bottom out. It probaly wouldn't ride that smooth then.

 

....."If you only drive on smooth roads it will be okay, but if a smooth ride is your focus, I'm not sure if they are what you want."
You are talking about the aerostars, correct? Not the gas shocks that was the subject of the thread?.
Not trying to be a smart ***, just confused about your statement.

 

So many have used the Aerostars and a huge majority report a better ride and improved handling from the link posted in our "sticky FAQ" posted on the main board. Did you also replace the rubber spring seat below the coil? After 60 years they are probably shot.

 

Yes, I was talking about the Aerostars. I didn't replace the rubber. As I recall the rubber was at the top and only about 1/8". I don't think a new one would benefit. I suspect it is to stop squeaks. At the top the springs are finished with a flat end seated against the rubber.
At the bottom the coil is just cut off. The coil end fit in a pocket in the lower A arm. I don't recall a rubber spring seat.
As I understand the pressurized gas in shocks is to reduce aeration. If the shocks are getting a good work out, the oil is less likely to aerate with the gas above it and diminish it's function. Usually the gas shocks are the premium ones.

My engine hasn't been running well and I haven't got much road time in this year. I just bought new plug wires. It appears the wires got burned on the headers. Once I get that sorted out I will drive it daily and decide if I can live with the rough ride.

 

My 53 has Aerostar springs, not lowered in the rear. They work well and I am pleased with their with the ride. My shocks needed attention and I used KYBs. Good shocks, but I think the ride would be smoother with hydraulics.

 

Phaeton, did the aerostar give you a drop at front? Got a rake?

 

Yes, a bit over 2" and I have the rake I desire.

 

Yes... one can tell by that pic. Your car is gorgeous. Dont know if its because of its appearance, lines and so forth, or if it is cause we know what you keep under hood.

 

Thanks. I hope it is all. Going on 600 mile road trip on Sunday. Will see how it performs. M

 

Off to "Fabulous 50's Charity Car Show" in Grants P***, Oregon. Will see how ARDUN takes the challenge. Lots of mountain and heat. Changed jets yesterday, changed oil and filter. The ARDUN is hungry, had to increase jet size four numbers on primaries, one on secondaries. Love having Summit Racing in my back yard. Now over 700 miles on engine and running good. Love the Overdrive but should have put in an automatic as planned. Another project I guess. 3.90 rear end works fine. About 2450 @ 65 in OD.

 

Gas milleage?
Just curious, since I've got the milleage maker, but I wonder why they called her that...

 

I got 18 miles per gallon. I like that. Overdrive was the reason. My rear end is 3.90.

 

Well, OT but I get (hard to to the conversion - i'm not used to it), but maybe..22 or 23. 14lts per 100km.

 

I also like the KYB shocks. I replaced the KYB shocks on the Volare front suspension on my 53 F100 with Bilstein shocks because I was told by a knowledgeable person that they would be a huge improvement. In fact they may be no improvement, but a LOT more money.

 

After using KYB's & the Stickie's numbers for KYB gas shocks for a 53 Ford 2dr, I purcased and installed them. I went on my trip to Oregon antd they were totally inadequate for my use. I have Aerostar springs and stock on rear. The car rode hard and the front shocks bottomed. I ordered the following from Summit after talking with KYB Tech and had them in a day & 1/2.
KG5512 fronts
KYB-343219 rears
Installed them while on my trip and they did the job the way I wanted originally. The new fronts are 3/4 inch shorter than the suggested shocks and softer. No bottoming!! The new Twin Tube rears are not hard riding and did the job properly.

Hard riding cars do not mean the shocks are correct. Now to return the previous shocks to Summit!

 

All the illustrations on several sites show the KG 5512 having loop mount ends instead of stem mount ends,confused?

 

Yes, u r correct. 5514, not 5512

 

Seems to make more sense...I couldn't believe pulling the car down as much as the aerostars do weren't making a difference requiring different shocks. Nice to know the KYB tech support got you headed in the right dirrection even with an altered suspension.

 

Yes, tech was great. At this point, the front bumpers do not hit either. I like a nice ride, not bumpy and skittish every time you hit a crack or bump in the road. The softer shocks in front and rear accomplished this. The rest of the handling issues are because of the suspension design, not like cars today. Kudos to Summit who take returns.