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By Talkwrench - 15 Years Ago
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I want to know if there is an alternative to buying off the shelf shock absorber kit for my 56 4 door Fairlane [front & rear]. Anyone tried some shockies that impoved the handling alot, maybe firmer than standard..?. I figure that I would buy new shockies over a rear sway bar.. Where would I find them at a reasonable price? Cheers, Rob.
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By yehaabill - 15 Years Ago
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Y-Guy Rob: If you can acess a Gaberial(sp?) or Monroe catalog, look in the application section and get the part # that fits you car, then go to the back and find your # in the "lenghts & mount style" section. Determine the style of mount(usually E1/L1 for loop style and SS1/SS3 for stem type) and then you can use that info to research a heavier duty shock to fit your car. Keep in mind the h.d. shock may have a larger diameter and that could factor into the deal. Be sure if you have to order them, that they will take them back if they don't fit or? Hope this helps........... Bill
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By Nick Brann - 15 Years Ago
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Hi Rob, You can get KYB shocks for your car through Summit Racing. I've never used them but have heard good stuff about them. Just go to summitracing.com, enter KYB in the search box and then after that list your Ford, year and body type. I looked up '57 T-Bird and they listed shocks for it, as well as a Detroit locker for my rear axle and lots of other stuff. Good luck, Nick Brann - K.C., MO
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By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
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The best shocks I've found for the 56 ford are the Monroe Gas charged Magnums made in USA. The rear # is 555043. I've misplaced the # for the front. You can order these at NAPA and Advance Auto and any other store that carries monroes. These are not cheap but seem to have more control than the kybs I had earlier. The kybs are really good shocks as well, I just wanted a little more control crusing these mountains I live in.
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By Ol'ford nut - 15 Years Ago
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Do a search for shocks and you will find some great info.If you have a 55-56 the shocks for rear are Gabriel Ultra G63398.These are actually listed for Ford pickup.A good matching set for front are Gabriel 82026.These numbers came from Chuck Gardiner who spent some time trying a few shocks to get a set that fit and worked well.If you want to see his 56 go to www.chuckgardiner.com/1956ford.htm
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By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
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Rob' the # I gave you will fit a 56 or 57 ford car or tbird. I just found the # for the 56 front which is a sensa.trac Monroe and it is > 5751 ST. They should have the number for the 57 at the parts store for which it would be different for a 57 passenger car, not sure about the 57 tbird. The 56 bird and car have the straight ends for the front and rear shocks. 57 passenger car has a T type fitting on the lower front.
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By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
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Rob, I forgot to tell you I'm running these shocks on my 56 Sunliner and 56 Tbird of which I drag race in Columbus OH during the Laborday weekend Yblock meet and everyday driving the rest of the year. There are other brands to check out that will do a very good job as well. Good luck
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By BrianL - 15 Years Ago
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I put the KYB shocks all around on my 56 T-Bird & have used them on other cars as well. I am satisfied with them. I like the gas charged shocks as they are a bit firm, & these don't cost too much. The radial tires made the largest handling improvement though. Rear sway bar is something on my eventual wish list.
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By Talkwrench - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks for all your info guys a big help. Is there anything I should be aware of if the car is lowered? I wonder about some of the "sensing" type shocks my not work well if they are too far up the travel already. I need to get it right as it will be hard to return once it all gets to Australia. Rob.
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By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
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Brian, the rear sway bar will be one of the best handling additions you'll do too your bird. I'm thinking about doing it to my 56 merc convertible. When I added the rear bar to my bird it was absolutely Great! The front didn't need to be changed at all.
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By Talkwrench - 15 Years Ago
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Gary I tried to source the rear shocks but that no. for Monroe 555043 doesn't come up. Had a chat with Dustin at Strutmasters.com he couldn't find it. they seem to be very cheap and ship for free in the US. Shame they dont do Gabriel only Monroe and KYB
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By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
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I'll recheck the numbers to be sure there correct. I got these from advance auto thru special order and they work!!!!
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By Talkwrench - 15 Years Ago
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Gary I found that number.. Gas-Magnum RV Shock Absorber 555043 but there is also this number #34722 , but this number changes ...could be 34729 etc it may have something to do with the length. Can you find what yours is?
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By ejstith - 15 Years Ago
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I put Gabriel's all the way around on mine with the rear ones being air shocks. Gabriel is the only ones that make air shocks for a '56.
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By speedpro56 - 15 Years Ago
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Rob, on my invoice the sku # 80010222 I have not a clue what it means but right beside it under part number is the # 555043 . At the top of my invoice is the # I think of the shock I turned in sku 18570047 part number 34792 was longer than I wanted. Of the rear shocks I have there is a number under the price scan thats 0 48598 55543 4 and in the lower left end of the box is p09245 R. The shocks are first class in every way except the color( YELLOW:w00t Just make sure they'll take them back if it's not what you want in lenght. I believe if the #s 555043 you should be ok.
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By oldcarmark - 15 Years Ago
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I have a pair of the Gabriel Ultra G63398 on the rear of mine .Very happy with them and they are long enough that the axle drops so the wheel can be removed.The shocks that were on it when I purchased the car were too short and I couldn't get the wheel off.Gary mentioned about the color of the ones he is using.I just gave mine a light sanding and sprayed them Black.Looks stock.
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By Talkwrench - 15 Years Ago
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Thanks for the info Mark. Looks like I will be going down that path with the gabriels as they seem to be easier to get. Do you know if the G63398 comes in different lengths or its just a standard length. My Fairlane will be at least 2 1/2" lowered. Cheers, Rob.
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