After picking up a good used set of Moss / Monroe rear shocks and related
hardware for my '64 B, I saw the Web site for the Colt rear shock
conversion. I had a Moss kit on a '67 GT-both front and rear, and found it
stiff but acceptable (-don't know if the extra weight of the GT made it
any better than it would be on a lighter car.) Since the rear Monroe
shocks are stiff and do not have the perfect length of stroke for the
suspension travel of the car--the shock runs out of travel before the axle
hits the rebound strap--I was thinking of trying the Colt units, too.
Since I already have the Moss upper plate/bracket, I might as well keep it.
Lawrie Alexander mentioned the high cost of Monroes. I went to Sears and
priced the Gabriel units for this application. I got prices of either $14
US or $17 US each, depending on whether you want the coupe or station wagon
shocks. Sears has frequent sales, so better pricing is possible. I
believe these are pretty close in quality to the Monroe units, at half the
price.
Dave mentions that Colt shocks should be appropriate, based on the shock
length/travel and comparable weights of the two vehicles. I believe the
Colt is a front wheel drive vehicle, and the shocks control a rear
beam-type axle; so the only caveat I might add is that on a Colt the shocks
undoubtedly have less unsprung weight, not having to control a differential
/ drive axle.
Chris Attias
'64 B (almost all back together)
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