air shocks

[gspineda]

Anyone have air shocks on their P15? I've checked with local auto parts stores and came up with Zero parts #'s. Their references don't go back that far. I was specifically looking for Gabriel Hi Jackers. Greatful for any info.

Thanks. gp

[Jeff Ivan]

I have air shocks on my 1951 Cranbrook P23, rear shock mounts should be the same as a P15. Go to auto parts store and ask for the shocks for 1972-74 Duster/Dart/Demon/Scamp. These should work fine. Not positive but I think the Duster-Dart etc., are the "A" body. It's been about 2 years since I installed mine, I think mine are the Monroe Max-Air. They will take up to 150 psi if you like that 'Moonshiner's Stance', I usually run 70-80 psi. They really do help compensate for my old sagging springs. My private driveway is very rough and I rarely bottom out now, unless I go too fast. =Jeff=

[Don Coatney]

I believe air shock part numbers can be found in one of the sections of the main web page supporting this forum. Below is a link in case you have never been there.

http://www40.addr.com/~merc583/mopar/framesets/welcomeframeset.html

[JohnS48plm]

I ran air shocks on my coupe before I changed the sagging rear springs. I got them at NAPA using the number in the main page parts list. They worked well but the ride was a little harder. John

[Normspeed]

I run HiJackers on my 53. I'd bet that the same shock would work on the earlier chassis too. Auto Zone # 774141 49110, $59.99 a pair in 8/04.

Time flies, that was one of the first things I added when I got the car. I run mine empty (20 lbs) because the car is lowered, but when I hook up the trailer I add all the pressure I can muster, usually around 130. The shocks are rated up to 225 psi. Trailer has a lot of tongue weight and the car would drag without the air shox. In the pic there is 130 psi in them.

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[Guest jjmorrse]

Normspeed,

Do your shocks have the larger mounting studs, I think the factory called them the oriflow shocks? I got reamed by Kanter on some standard shocks because I did not know of a later shock that would fit.

[Normspeed]

Not sure about the stud size. I do recall seeing mention of oriflow shocks in some 53 literature, maybe even the manual. Might have been standard by 53. Now I'm curious, were the oriflow studs longer, or larger diameter, or both?

Just got the new Kanter catalog in the mail. Same product lineup, different cover and some new van der Stricht drawings. They have air shocks for $175 a pair, must be very good air shocks.

If anyone hasn't seen the Kanter catalog or any van der Stricht art, here is one of the illustrations, the rarely seen Fairbanks-Dodge Engineers' Coupe:D

[Plymouthy Adams]

Kanter, like so manyother speciality shops...like to lead you to believe they are the only source for parts and thus reap the high prices they charge...nine times out of ten you can find suitable parts, often better parts at less than their prices...it does take some shopping around though.

[Normspeed]

I agree Tim. But, I've bought a few things from Kanter and was pleased with the service and quality. Never bought any big ticket items like motor or front end rebuild kits.

Plus, they're from New Jersey and that really chaps my hide!. Just kidding, I was born in NJ.

[Guest jjmorrse]

Not sure about the stud size. I do recall seeing mention of oriflow shocks in some 53 literature, maybe even the manual. Might have been standard by 53. Now I'm curious, were the oriflow studs longer, or larger diameter, or both?

From my shop manual,

"Larger mounting studs are used with the Oriflow shock absorber due to the higher resistance loads. This necessitates larger eyes and studs which readily identify the Oriflow shock absorber"

It indicates that they were used 1951-1954, unfortunately I saw no diagram with any hard specs on the eyes.

[Normspeed]

Interesting. I'll have to remember to take some measurements next trip under the car.

[Jims50chrysler]

ya but is the faibanks-Dodge engineers coupe or any of the other illistrations in the catalogue real cars?

Jim

[Normspeed]

Nope. He has a heckuva imagination though.

[De Soto Frank]

Tim,

Yeah, but sometimes they're the only guys that have "it"...

I though about getting shocks from them for the '41 De Soto... until they quoted me a price of $180 for four, over the phone.

I got four Monroe shocks (two locally, two from Rock Auto) for less than $80.

Caveat Emptor...

I put airshocks on the rear of my '60 Windsor, to boost its "saggin morale"... they were Monroe Air-Ride from a local Mom & Pop. Have done the job, although, it makes the rear of the car a little "hoppy"...

De Soto Frank

[Plymouthy Adams]

I now have my 54 on the lift..I have removed all the front sheetmetal and cleaning the front suspension...I had replaced the front shocks when I first got the car..am intertaining air shocks for this car...they need hcanging regardless..they look to be the originals..I know the fronts were...

[De Soto Frank]

Tim,

When I replaced shocks on the '41 De Soto this September, the fronts I removed were probably replacements, but the rears were definitely factory original, complete with the notches in the dust shield to provide access for the spanner to remove the end plug, so that you could rebuild the shock !