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Thread: Rear Shocks For Lowered Cars

  1. #1
    Registered Member 55mike's Avatar
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    Rear Shocks For Lowered Cars

    I'm looking for a part number recommendation for the rear shocks on my 55. I have 2.5" lowering rear leaf springs, and I also use a shock bar between the frame rails. What I really want is a shock that is overall longer so the rear end can travel downwards more for ease of removing the tires, yet, have a compression that is shorter than stock so the shock doesn't bottom out....

    Any suggestions? I would really like a KYB number....

  2. #2
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    A shock doesn't have a set "height" where it's supposed to be when the car is at rest.

    If your standard shock will compress enough to keep from bottoming out with your current mounts, it will drop farther. That's the first thing to know.

  3. #3
    Registered Member 55mike's Avatar
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    Thanks Rick....
    My issue is the shocks feel like they're bottoming out if I run over certain types of bumps in the road. So, I think I'll have to find a shock that compresses shorter/tighter, and probably will have to remove the bottom mount to get the rear down enough to take the tires off (rare to do, but, still need to sometimes). I've been researching KYB's website, and figured out they have a shock that although will not extend as long, it has 2" shorter compression than stock (which I'm currently using). The new part number is KYB KG5519 (stock number is KYB KG5522).....

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    I have a similar issue with my 55 with a C4 rear, is that I cannot get the rear tires off without disconnecting the OE Bilstein shocks which is a total pain. A longer shock would make it worse, since that will shorten up the compressed travel. I don't think I have a good solution, because what really needs to happen is to raise the upper mount, which isn't really a good option in my case. Hotrods suck sometimes.
    Last edited by 55 Rescue Dog; 01-03-2021 at 03:08 PM.

  5. #5
    Registered Member 55mike's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 55 Rescue Dog View Post
    I have a similar issue with my 55 with a C4 rear, is that I cannot get the rear tires off without disconnecting the OE Bilstein shocks which is a total pain. A longer shock would make it worse, since that will shorten up the compressed travel. I don't think I have a good solution, because what really needs to happen is to raise the upper mount, which isn't really a good option in my case. Hotrods suck sometimes.
    Yea... seems like we do one thing and the dominos start clicking along. My research suggests a good fit will be KYB # KG 5519. The compressed distance is 11.06" (vs stock KG 5522 which compresses to 13.03"), Bad news is, they don't extend as far long as stock.. so, I'll be removing them from the bottom shock mount to get the rear down enough to remove a tire. This said, I think the KG 5519's will work better when driving around since they shouldn't bottom out.

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    I don't really want to deal with raising the wheel opening, which would probably be my best option, and would work with my car. I like the look, but I am trying to make the stock opening work I hope.

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    Registered Member 55mike's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 55 Rescue Dog View Post
    I don't really want to deal with raising the wheel opening, which would probably be my best option, and would work with my car. I like the look, but I am trying to make the stock opening work I hope.
    I like 'em low too. So, I'll just have to deal with the associated challenges.........

  8. #8
    Registered Member busterwivell's Avatar
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    I've got the shock relocation bar, too, and have an 8.5 10 bolt rear end in my 56. I had bottoming out issues with stock 56 shocks. I don't have a part number, but I installed a pair of shocks for a 67 Nova and the problem went away.

  9. #9
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    Hello guys,
    i had the same problem with my 57. About 2 inches lowered and a shockbar. The stock length bottoming out.
    I installed, front and rear, new bilstein. The rears are for the Camaro multi leaf. The partnumber is AK2074.
    My 57 ht drives now better than before and is a bit stiffer.

    IMG_3066.JPG

    Markus
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by ProjectX; 01-05-2021 at 08:07 AM.

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