modified shocks for 73

[flyinlow]

Larger diameter gas charged shocks are not avialable for 73-74 Charger front ends anymore. I have been using KYB twin tube front and gas charged rears.

Size does matter. Not enough dampening on the front.

I looked at the specs in the Edelbrock shock catalog and found a few shocks that might be addaptable.

2002 Dodge ram 2wd shocks .. same stoke ..1 3/4 inch longer.  5000lb.vehical stiffer springs.

1973 Monty Carlo  ..same stroke...1 1/2 inch longer.  same weight as the Charger. Car springs.

If I modify the shock tower or LCA to to make one of these fit , do you think it will work well?

[HPP]

Why not go with a QA1 stocker star or a Varishock bolt in and ssave yoursefl the modification hassle. QA1 is a twin tube design that would be nice for a street car. Varishock is a monotube design that is highly responsive. Both are available in single or double adjustable versions and prices start around $125 each for single adjustable and are around $250 for doubles. Granted, a bit more than an equiviletn Edlebrock, but also a much better shock.

[flyinlow]

Bilsteen,Edelbrock,QA1 and Varishock do not list front shocks for 73 and newer B bodys.


When Dodge went to the rubber isolated,torsion quiet , Disco ride in 1973, they shortened the front shocks to 8 1/4" compressed and 12 1/4" extended.

I picked up a spare set of shock tower plates on Ebay. Thought of welding on a section of 2x2 square tubing with a top to allow a longer shock like used on 2nd gens . Many choices on that point.

[HPP]

I forget if the 73+ B bodies use a bayonet lower mount or not. I know the later FJM cars do. What I did on my F body Dodge is enlarge the lower arm bayonet mount hole to be large enough for the shock body to pass through it. I gussetted the bottom of the control arm to provide two mounting points, then I used 1st generation Camaro shocks. Honestly, they have a huge selection of lengths and valving. They are bayonet top mount with a through bar lower mount. Fit right in. I can put up pictures later if you want a look.

[lisiecki1]

i would like to see pictures...

[flyinlow]

I forget if the 73+ B bodies use a bayonet lower mount or not. I know the later FJM cars do. What I did on my F body Dodge is enlarge the lower arm bayonet mount hole to be large enough for the shock body to pass through it. I gussetted the bottom of the control arm to provide two mounting points, then I used 1st generation Camaro shocks. Honestly, they have a huge selection of lengths and valving. They are bayonet top mount with a through bar lower mount. Fit right in. I can put up pictures later if you want a look.

Lower mount is eyelet.

Going the Chevy shock route.  I like the idea of gussetting the bottom of the LCA at the same time .

[HPP]

Here is the only picture I could find of my F body front shock. Since I sold it a couple summers ago, I can't go snap any new ones. If you look closely, you can see the top bayonet and the bottom bar just below the edge of the control arm. I welded a gusset plate to the bottom, used a hole saw on the to and bottom of the arm, and slide the Camaro shock up through the hole, bolted everything down, and was done. Link to the ARE gussets. I've got several sets I'm willing to part with if anyone wants some. http://www.arengineering.com/suspension/lca/lca.html

Lower mount is eyelet.

Going the Chevy shock route.  I like the idea of gussetting the bottom of the LCA at the same time .

So the only issue is getting a shorter shock? Looking at the Varishock catalog, they show the 62-72 Charger shocks as part #14147-615 with 9.7 compressed, 15.86 extended, and 6.15 travel. They also have the 14147-425, also a Chrysler shock, with 7.84 compressed, 12.09 extended, and 4.25 travel, . By comparison, the Camaro shock, 14145-415, is 8.3 compressed, 12.55 extended, 4.25 travel, but it does have a cross bar lower mount.

So, that opens a few options; you can pick up a Camaro shock, cut the cross bar out and put a bolt through it. You could even test fit a cheap, department store shock for this The other option is to simply get the shorter Chrysler shock they list. Or, call their tech department and ask about their custom mounts that would allow you to create a bolt in unit. Click here and go to the second page. They have a variety of upper and lower mounts that could be mixed and matched to fit a different shock to a specific application, even though it isn't listed in their catalog. I'm sure other high end manufacturers may have similar set ups. http://www.varishock.com/DataSheets/VAS_14XXX_AppsSize_DS_WEB.pdf

[Tom Q]

I solved this problem a while ago and this set up works without compromise
Use the chevy shock and change the lower piece in the shock to the mopar style sleeve-press out the old and in the new.
You have to shorten one of the bushings.

[Tom Q]

shock box

[flyinlow]

I solved this problem a while ago and this set up works without compromise
Use the chevy shock and change the lower piece in the shock to the mopar style sleeve-press out the old and in the new.
You have to shorten one of the bushings.


Does the Eddy shock body have any clearence problems at the top going thru the frame ?


The shock looks a little longer,never bottoms with the suspension compressed ?

Do you like the ride with the Eddy shocks?

[Tom Q]

Does the Eddy shock body have any clearance problems at the top going thru the frame ?
No, none...I realize you don't know that I am detail oriented and I do not accept mechanical compromises-ask me about tremecs in mopars sometime...    

The shock looks a little longer,never bottoms with the suspension compressed ?
Yes the are longer-look closely at the pics and you can see I shortened the one bushing. There is a very small difference that makes no difference as we are not chasing microns here...  There are no problems with bottoming as I installed the shock with no t bar in the car and checked for fitment problems thru the range of travel.

Do you like the ride with the Eddy shocks? Other than this application NO !
That's a great question-Other than this application for the late b body front shock I do not recommend the Eddy's on anything else.  The eddy's are way too stiff and they push the ride height up so they have become more than a dampener.  I have tried the Eddys on B & E bodies and they ruin the ride. For the rear use a heavy duty regular shock if you can find them like the HD service replacement mopar shocks.

[FLG]

Can you explain what you did with the shock (besides shorten bushing)? You have me slightly confused...

[Tom Q]

In the pic of all 3 shocks
The bottom shock is out of the box, the middle shock is a kyb for the car and the top one has the sleeve from another shock pressed into the bottom bushing and the top has a the bottom bushing cut down.
The top shock is ready for use.  

[flyinlow]

Thanks for all the ideas!

Had LCA,s off for front end rebuild. Modified LCA to use chevy shocks. KYB gas adjusts for now . Plate acts as a gusset at the same time.