Rear shocks for 58

[Yellowbird]

My '58 was manufactured in September 1958.

It has the shock setup that Dave shows in the picture from the manual.

[Frango100]

My '58 was manufactured in September 1958.

It has the shock setup that Dave shows in the picture from the manual.

Thanks Yellowbird, which brand/type of shocks are you using on the rear? How is the comfort/handling?

[Yellowbird]

I will have to look at my records. I bought them from I believe Greg Hines on Ebay. I'm satisfied with them

[Yellowbird]

The rear shocks have the number 739066 on them. I do not see a brand on them.
I purchased these from Greg Hire in Ft. Wayne Indiana.
His phone number is 260-484-0435. He advertised on Ebay.

[Frango100]

Thanks Leonard, i found it via google as a Gabriel classic shock. I will see if i can find this shock here locally, that would save me some shipping costs.

[Yellowbird]

I just want to remind you that my shocks are like the ones pictured from the service manual. It does not have the upper and lower stud.

Good luck!!!

[Frango100]

I just want to remind you that my shocks are like the ones pictured from the service manual. It does not have the upper and lower stud.

Good luck!!!

But the drawing shows a stud on the upper side and an eye end on the lower. That is what I have as well.

[Yellowbird]

That's great! Just wanted to make sure!

[OX1]

No idea, I stick with Koni's or KYBs

Koni makes SB shocks? have PN's?

[Frango100]

Measured the distance between the lower shock mounting bolts, but have a distance of 2 3/4" between them. That would mean the the lower mount should be an XP6, and that one i donīt see in the list from Monroe.
Or i just have to buy a lower open eye end shock, which is already installed on mine now.

[simplyconnected]

Measured the distance between the lower shock mounting bolts, but have a distance of 2 3/4" between them. That would mean the the lower mount should be an XP6, and that one i donīt see in the list from Monroe.
Or i just have to buy a lower open eye end shock, which is already installed on mine now.

OR, for $18.12/each (at rockauto.com), you can buy the 5936 shocks and open the holes.

There is only 1/4" difference between 2-1/2" and 2-3/4". That's .25" or 6.5mm.
You can either use an angle grinder and open the closed holes into "crows feet" (open holes) or use a burr to slot the holes. You don't need much, 3mm on each side.

For the price of this quality shock, I would open the holes.
BTW, your holes may not be spread that far apart. 2-3/4" is an odd size that most cars did not use. Re-check your measurement. - Dave

[Frango100]

Iīm a bit lost with my rear shocks now. Measured the distance between the upper and the lower shock mount with the car level in the garage, and it measures 21,5". The shock in extended state measures 23". I understood that the shock should have an extended lenght of 20". I measured the ride height some time ago and it was within specs.
My lower shock mount is not original, since a previous owner made a bracket to fit a shock with an eye end. The bracket is mounted on the axle, where normally the X-pin is mounted. I donīt see the bracket to be a problem, its just an other way to mount a shock. But the dimensions are out of specs. What can be wrong here???
Anyone can give me the height from the ground to the aft part of the wing? I measured the roof height before, which was within spec. But when i look at my rear wheel, i can see a lot more of the hub cap then i see on pictures of other 58 birds.

[simplyconnected]

What part number shocks are you referring to? What did you get? Where are you measuring from? If the shock has a shut height of 20", that's what it has.

Your shocks are the lower stop for your suspension.

As the Ford illustration shows, your OEM shocks had a cross bar. Replacements should too. - Dave

[Frango100]

I didnīt buy any new shock yet, just referring to the ones installed on the bird now. The shocks are from a Brazilian brand. The shock is still mounted on the upper side, so measuring from the upper side of the shock housing to the lower side of the shock bracket. That measurement is 23". While the 5936 shock is only 20" extended, it would never fit on my bird, because the distance between upper mount and lower mount is already 21,5" at normal ride height.

[Frango100]

Just to be sure that the shocks are the problem for the harsh ride, i just removed them for a short road test. The shocks donīt seem to be my problem, but the springs. Even without the shocks, the ride is still very stiff. Ofcourse it bounces a bit, but not much. So it seems that the springs are for a much heavier vehicle. What is a good place to get 58 coil springs from?