PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Shiny is Good! => General Pinto Talk => Topic started by: fordpower on May 27, 2020, 04:12:44 PM

Title: shocks
Post by: fordpower on May 27, 2020, 04:12:44 PM
having real problem finding shocks for rear. I have cruising wagon. It appears only available for sedan.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: SpaceCowboy1979 on May 27, 2020, 04:51:41 PM
What year do you have
And frount or rear shocks?
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: Wittsend on May 27, 2020, 06:10:45 PM
On my '73 wagon I used the sedan rear shocks (which are 2" shorter) but used spacers to center the shock with the extra threads on the shock. That compensates for about 1-1/2" of the 2". The picture illustrates the modification on the bottom but I did likewise on the top. This is a "Do at your own risk" kind of thing but I have never had it be an issue.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: fordpower on May 27, 2020, 07:10:45 PM
ok I took it a part 5 yrs ago then things happen and I am just back at it. How are they attached at top. All I see are two bolt holes. I assumed the top of shock had ears,or am I missing a part.? Thanks for response
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: Wittsend on May 27, 2020, 07:24:27 PM
 You need to remove the bracket you see the shocks attached to at the top. The picture illustrates how the upper portion of the shock attaches.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: 71pintoracer on May 27, 2020, 07:49:30 PM
It must depend on the year because my '77 CW has two bolts in the top and no bracket. fordpower said CW so it has to be '77-'80. There was another post about this and l think they used shocks for a mid-'70's Camaro?
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: Wittsend on May 27, 2020, 08:10:35 PM
That may be. My wagon is a 73 and the image is from a Haynes 71-74 manual. My apology if it isn't the same. With Ford it is likely not wise to assume anything.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: fordpower on May 28, 2020, 09:06:44 AM
mine is a 77 cw either I threw away the bracket or they should have ears on shocks. either way no one seems to make them.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: Wittsend on May 28, 2020, 02:49:38 PM
A lot of shock companies have shock specifications on line. You could look up the shock specs for your wagon and then see if anything else comes close. You need to look for a commonality on the two mounting points. Then look for the maximum an minimal travel. Minimal travel is likely more important than maximum. If a shock goes smaller than and longer than the existing that would be a good thing.

 As mentioned by 71 Pintoracer there was a suggestion for a Camaro shock. You might search this site. Do NOT use the search link in the upper right side of the page (it seems worthless). Use the Search function under the site logo (upper left). Search is between Help and Profile.  I did a quick site search and found the notation below (but there were 4 pages of reference using the term "wagon shocks"):

"I use rear shocks for a 77 chevy nova on my 75 wagon with no ill effects."


Title: Re: shocks
Post by: fordpower on May 29, 2020, 06:56:25 AM
Thank for the res. I found that camaro reference also a 67 nova. It appears I lost the mounting plate. Thinking piece of 8th in steel plate should work.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: pinto_one on May 29, 2020, 08:27:22 AM
I also have a Cruse wagon that the shock problem crossed my path , when I brought it years ago it had air shocks and one day one of them blew out and instant low rider , did not know the spring were shot but lucky to find new ones , shock problem is still there , brought lower shock plates for a mustang two , they take cross bolt instead of the stud ends , they have more of a shock selection with that type , well at least 5 years ago , planning on starting back on the project at the end of the year when I retire ,
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: fordpower on May 29, 2020, 02:28:57 PM
Some were on here I posted about the rubber spacers for springs. I believe I found Granada ones and they work. I installed new springs this spring rear shackles do not look right.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: flash041 on June 02, 2020, 09:20:11 PM
I got shocks for my 78 Cruising Wagon. I ordered shocks for a 78 Camaro. I got the coil over load levelers, as I tow a trailer . They are about 2 1/2 inches longer, but compressed length is about the same. I have had them on over a year, work great! If you go with load levelers, you will need to attach the top and I used a ratchet strap to compress the spring to install the bottom stud.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: fordpower on June 03, 2020, 07:44:49 AM
so they do have ears not rod on top. Did yours have a plate on top or not.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: flash041 on June 03, 2020, 11:22:54 AM
fordpower,Yep "ears" on top, not rod. mounts are exactly the same as the old ones. No plate on top, directly bolts to the car with two bolts on top, stud/rod, on bottom.
Title: Re: shocks
Post by: Nudemaple on October 10, 2020, 08:38:38 PM
These worked perfect on my 76 wagon. Although Monroe say it's only for Chevy and Pontiac 1970-1981.

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/5831/