What is the current wisdom on the rear shocks on our cars?
I've been contemplating replacing mine for a year or two now. The seem to pass the bounce test, but they were on the car when I bought it at 100k. I'm at 215k now, so I feel like it is probably time. I have done the mounts, but not the shocks themselves.
Although I did some searching on the forum, I wasn't able to find much of a cohesive list of parts and part numbers. I thought I would try to build one here. Many of us have gone through this already. Please. Post your thoughts and experiences. I value your insights.
From what I've found so far, there are basically four "performance" options available.
Tokico "Blue" - 36006 (unconfirmed, as of 1-May-2014)
Koni "Yellow" - 8041-1270 (unconfirmed, as of 1-May-2014)
"Cobra Bilstein" - FL3Z-18125-AA - Confirmed
Koni "Yellow" - 8041-1202 Sport (89-97 Thunderbird and Cougar) - Confirmed
As far as I can tell, these first three are "99-04 IRS Mustang Cobra" options that can be made to fit our cars, but no site lists them as being directly compatible. It also appears they may sometimes be difficult to source.
Also, we have the more "mainstream" options, found by looking up a similar vintage Thunderbird. - From cheapest to most expensive
-Monroe 33134 "Monro-matic Plus"
-Monroe 55965 "Gas Matic"
-Monroe 921965 "Monroe Reflex Truck" (this is listed as a "high performance" option)
-KYB 344110 "GR-2" or "Excel-G" I've read of some bad experiences with these on this forum. Are they valid?
-Motorcraft ASHV1014
-Motorcraft AM589G
I've read that many of the Monroes can provide a softer ride, and are therefore thought to be less desirable. How much softer?
Are either of the Motorcraft options here close or equal to OEM? All of these "mainstream" options are quite affordable.
Is it safe to assume that all of these are a bolt in solution, if the upper mounts have already been "modernized?"
Now, about the car in question. I do have the 1.25" Addco bars front and rear, as well as brand new Ford (air) struts up front. I do plan to keep the car on air, and although I appreciate performance, I don't ever see myself trying to swap Koni "inserts" into the front end.
Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
I've been contemplating replacing mine for a year or two now. The seem to pass the bounce test, but they were on the car when I bought it at 100k. I'm at 215k now, so I feel like it is probably time. I have done the mounts, but not the shocks themselves.
Although I did some searching on the forum, I wasn't able to find much of a cohesive list of parts and part numbers. I thought I would try to build one here. Many of us have gone through this already. Please. Post your thoughts and experiences. I value your insights.
From what I've found so far, there are basically four "performance" options available.
Tokico "Blue" - 36006 (unconfirmed, as of 1-May-2014)
Koni "Yellow" - 8041-1270 (unconfirmed, as of 1-May-2014)
"Cobra Bilstein" - FL3Z-18125-AA - Confirmed
Koni "Yellow" - 8041-1202 Sport (89-97 Thunderbird and Cougar) - Confirmed
As far as I can tell, these first three are "99-04 IRS Mustang Cobra" options that can be made to fit our cars, but no site lists them as being directly compatible. It also appears they may sometimes be difficult to source.
Also, we have the more "mainstream" options, found by looking up a similar vintage Thunderbird. - From cheapest to most expensive
-Monroe 33134 "Monro-matic Plus"
-Monroe 55965 "Gas Matic"
-Monroe 921965 "Monroe Reflex Truck" (this is listed as a "high performance" option)
-KYB 344110 "GR-2" or "Excel-G" I've read of some bad experiences with these on this forum. Are they valid?
-Motorcraft ASHV1014
-Motorcraft AM589G
I've read that many of the Monroes can provide a softer ride, and are therefore thought to be less desirable. How much softer?
Are either of the Motorcraft options here close or equal to OEM? All of these "mainstream" options are quite affordable.
Is it safe to assume that all of these are a bolt in solution, if the upper mounts have already been "modernized?"
Now, about the car in question. I do have the 1.25" Addco bars front and rear, as well as brand new Ford (air) struts up front. I do plan to keep the car on air, and although I appreciate performance, I don't ever see myself trying to swap Koni "inserts" into the front end.
Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
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