Hello all. Incase you dont know I just bought a 71 mav grabber and I am planning on going through a lot of stuff. I wondered about shocks this morning but have a problem. Suspension on a maverick isnt quiet the same as a lifted truck like i am used too. What are some good brands of shocks for cars? Will they make as big a difference as on a truck? Should I be looking at specific valving? Any particular shocks you run or recommend?
if your going racing or looking for a performance aplication it might be worth it to do some home work but for a driver im doing OK with the over the counter napa replacments. you probably have more to gain for upgrading your springs. new 4-leafs out back and a new set up front
I'm running monroes on all four corners, just installed them last weekend. Of course my car has no engine in it right now but I'm sure they'll ride nice enough for a street car.
I have no problems using the over the counter shocks available at most auto parts stores in my street cars.
I was just curious cause i have never owned a car. these shocks look pretty shot and they make a pretty radical difference in a lifted truck
I did my shocks. Gabriel is cheap and common. Less than $30 for a front set. Contrary to many folks on here I did Monroe air schocks in the rear. Those were $70. I only keep them half inflated though.
Ditto to that, springs make the biggest difference, definately upgrade to 4 leaf in the rear. As far as shocks go, I did the same, ran stock up front and I slid Monroe Air Shocks in the rear, I think I had mine a little over half full which kept it more than stiff enough - untill it blew out, my fault not the shocks. My latest dream is to put a coil over setup underneath the rear, and lowering springs up front. The coil over kit (QA1 Pro coil over conversion system [part number HAL-ALN4000K for standard shocks and HAL-DR4000K for adjustable in Summit Racing]) runs $435-$500. Note that it doesnt replace your rear springs but if you're looking for superior performance it'll give you 6in of adjustable height in the rear and its just cool. Also you could get a slightly lower and stiffer coil for the front, from the same people for about $40 a piece.. all something to think about depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Oh yeah I did new coil springs up front-$80 (autozone) and 4 leaf/leaf springs in the rear from JC Whitney about $150. I like the suspension now.
The weak part of the rear suspension isn't the leaf springs, but WHERE the shocks mount. 6" of adjustable height will punch holes thru your trunk if one doesn't re-inforce where the upper part of the shock mounts.
What I am looking to do is have the front dropped an inch or two lower then the front. For now I will leave the I6 springs in while i do the v8 conversion and see what that does for it. if the dont work out i guess im gonna have to get drop springs. Is it possible to build or buy a trac bar or something for these cars. Has anyone done it?
The coil over conversion kit comes with new mounting brackets and a straight (square tubing?) piece of steel that runs along the bottom of the trunk area (on the underside of the car) and replaces the factory shock mounts. If that still punches a hole in your trunk, I'm amazed.
I had a piece like that installed on a previous Maverick I had. Weld it between the rear frame rails and it would do the trick.
