The Ford Barn - Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

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- - Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit? (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224055)

California Charlie

07-04-2017 08:32 PM

Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Happy 4th everyone!

Here's my recent restoration project question. Perhaps you experienced the same problem I'm having with an older Tubular Shock Absorber Kit.

I bought this shock kit several years ago and decided to use it on my current Model A Project. At the time I purchased the kit, it was even recommended on the old Ford Barn. Unfortunately the company sold, and I don't even know if the company exists. The installation instructions gives no reference of the Company.

The old newspaper the kit came packed in is from Indiana and the date is 2004. Does this ring a bell for anyone?

Here's what I'm up against with the front shock kit. I'm working on the right "Passenger Side". The upper bracket is marked "RS". The installation instructions state to install the front upper bracket using the old shock mounting holes in the frame. No problem there. The new bracket mounts even with the upper part of the frame and is directed upward where the upper part of the shock mounts.

Here's where perhaps someone has dealt with this kit in the past. The lower shock bracket mounts to the front axle 12" away from the Pin which keeps the King Pin in place. The instructions definitely show the lower bracket with the part which the shock mounts to it down and positioned under the axle. The problem is the tubular shock will not reach that far to attach to the upper and lower bracket. I can position the lower bracket above the axle and the shock would then connect, but that is not what the instructions show.

Perhaps someone used this kit several years ago and found the same issue I'm dealing with. I know a few of these kits had been sold in the past by recommendations posted on the old Ford Barn. Whatever information you provide to me will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

California Charlie

grantsauder

07-04-2017 10:27 PM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Could you post some pics of the kit so perhaps someone could help you put them together. Grant

California Charlie

07-04-2017 11:08 PM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

I'll do that tomorrow.

Thanks for the suggestion.

California Charlie

07-05-2017 09:47 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

5 Attachment(s)

If my photos come through, this shows my situation of the upper and lower shock brackets being too far away to connect the shock to. Also are the installation instructions. What am I missing?

KGBnut

07-05-2017 10:02 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

I'm not familiar with that particular kit ( I have the Ken Davis set), but I did have two thoughts...both of which might be bad...

1) Shocks expand and contract under force. Are you sure you tried enough force to stretch them to fit?

2) Would it be possible to turn that lower bracket upside down, and would it fit then?

Ken

Bob C

07-05-2017 10:41 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

With the engine and body installed on the chassis they may fit.

Bob

California Charlie

07-05-2017 10:46 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGBnut (Post 1494931)

Ken,

I pulled on the shock as much as I could and the end result is what you see in the photos.

The shock would reach if I turned the lower bracket around on the front axle, but that would go against the installation instructions.

California Charlie

07-05-2017 10:49 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C (Post 1494955)

With the engine and body installed on the chassis they may fit.

Bob

I thought of that, but it just seems like the shock should fit under the circumstances of not having the body or engine on the frame. I was hoping that someone else had bought this kit when I did several years ago and had gone though what I am currently experiencing.

TRP	07-05-2017 11:00 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

I agree with Bob C. I feel like the motor and body will compress the spring enough so the shocks will fit nicely.

aermotor

07-05-2017 11:04 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

I have a similar kit (if not the same) and it has 2 holes in the upper bracket. I had to use the lower hole of the two.

John

Bob C

07-05-2017 11:14 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Look at this link to brattons shocks, looks like their upper brackets mount the other way. https://www.brattons.com/no-drilling...nting-kit.html

Bob

California Charlie

07-05-2017 11:18 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

2 Attachment(s)

The upper bracket only had one attachment hole for the shock to attach to.

I went ahead and turned the lower shock bracket, which is attached to the front axle, around. This does go against the installation instructions, but allows both end of the shocks to connect to the upper and lower brackets.

This situation also appears to give me clearance around all the front end components.

Does anyone possibly see this may not provide me the front shock action that I would need?

Future work will be installing the rear shock kit.

California Charlie

07-05-2017 11:34 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C (Post 1494975)

Look at this link to brattons shocks, looks like their upper brackets mount the other way. https://www.brattons.com/no-drilling...nting-kit.html

Bob

Bob, I tried that with the upper shock bracket.

If I turn around the upper bracket marked "RF" (Right Front) the other way around (Downward). The angle part of the bracket is then too far away from the shock being attached to it.

When I took the upper bracket marked "LF" (Left Front) and put it on the Right Side directed downward, the bracket sticks up above the frame. The shock does attach to the upper and lower brackets, but the angle of the shock action appears it would be possibly hitting some of the front end components.

It appears the best situation is having the lower bracket reversed on the front axle.

California Charlie

07-05-2017 11:36 AM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C (Post 1494975)

Look at this link to brattons shocks, looks like their upper brackets mount the other way. https://www.brattons.com/no-drilling...nting-kit.html

Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by aermotor (Post 1494968)

I have a similar kit (if not the same) and it has 2 holes in the upper bracket. I had to use the lower hole of the two.

John

John. Did your upper brackets mount upward like mine as shown in the photos??

aermotor

07-05-2017 02:45 PM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Charlie (Post 1494996)

John. Did your upper brackets mount upward like mine as shown in the photos??

Yes, everything is the same as yours except the top bracket has two holes - the second one being about 2" below yours. FWIW mine would not attach to the top hole by about the same amount as yours. Forgot to mention, I just put a set on for a friend and they were exactly like mine, using the lower hole I had about 1" compression to attach.

John

Bob C

07-05-2017 02:58 PM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

2 Attachment(s)

I think when your done with the car your shocks are going to bottom out.
Look at the angle of your shackle and curvature of your spring compared to the one on Marco's car, your frame is sitting a lot higher.

Bob

California Charlie

07-05-2017 04:10 PM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C (Post 1495098)

I see what you mean. Down the road when I have the engine and body back on the frame, that will then show me where I'm at with this shock mounting effort.

Thanks everyone!

aermotor

07-05-2017 04:29 PM

Re: Older Tubular Shock Kit Question-Did you use this Kit?

Read post #15 again. Engine was out of mine when shocks installed. Recent ones were purchased from Snyders with 2 holes. Check with them on number of holes.

John

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