Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: BLKBRD88 on September 26, 2014, 12:12:43 AM

Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 26, 2014, 12:12:43 AM
We have one rear shock that is leaking on the whiteBird 88 Turbo Coupe.

What shocks do most of you fellas recommend for these cars?
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Ramos617 on September 26, 2014, 03:25:42 AM
It kind of depends on what your setting your car up for

Mines a DD but I wanted a firmer feel and my car is lowered so I went with foxbody mustang kyb gas a justs with chucks shock adapters
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Masejoer on September 27, 2014, 11:27:34 PM
When I looked into this years ago, I found that Mustang people loved the general feel of the Bilstein HD units. The Koni yellows were quite stiff, and the reds a bit soft. Overall, the consensus was that the Bilsteins had great control, but they weren't rock-hard.

So I picked up the Bilstein HD struts and shocks. They feel excellent. Many years later and still good. I'm sure I'll have a time when I'll make use of the lifetime warranty. Having them and full tubular rear control arms really changed how the car handled. I can't imagine what it would be like going back and driving a stock suspension tbird or cougar.
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 28, 2014, 02:35:07 AM
Thanks guys,
Since these TCs have the ride control switch, I wondered what might the best way to go when replacing them.

Is the ride control build into the shocks or can any shock be used and still be able to use the control switch?
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Masejoer on September 28, 2014, 02:50:00 PM
Quote from: BLKBRD88;438382
Thanks guys,
Since these TCs have the ride control switch, I wondered what might the best way to go when replacing them.

Is the ride control build into the shocks or can any shock be used and still be able to use the control switch?
Ron

You lose the firmness control. I don't believe there is any way to keep the adjustability these days - no rebuild options out there.

The ride control system is basically dead.
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: V8Demon on September 30, 2014, 08:44:19 AM
Another vote for the Bilstein HD's.  Couldn't be happier with them.
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 30, 2014, 01:24:32 PM
Ok guys thanks for the info and advice.
Not the best news, since I wanted to keep this car as stock as possible and I hate to lose the ride control, but if new parts or rebuilds are nonexistent then I will probably follow the Bilstein route.
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: mcb82gt on September 30, 2014, 01:54:51 PM
mustang rear shocks require Chucks adapters or you can flip the stock mounts, but they are still a little too short.
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on October 02, 2014, 09:49:26 PM
Quote from: mcb82gt;438482
mustang rear shocks require Chucks adapters or you can flip the stock mounts, but they are still a little too short.

OK, who is Chuck, & where do I get his adaptors?
Since this is the car that my wife drives more than me, I don't want it to be too harsh, but I do want better control when we go on vacation and I drive. That is why I hoped to keep it stock with the ride control, so we would both be happy.
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: mcb82gt on October 02, 2014, 11:03:47 PM
Chuck is a member on here, makes motor mounts and used to make the Mustang shock adapters.  I think he quit making them, but im not sure.

http://www.turbochuck.com/motormounts/
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Ramos617 on October 02, 2014, 11:37:46 PM
I had to post a wanted ad to get my adapters and I believe Chuck still hasn't had any for sale since

If you like the stock shock and the ones you have are leaking or something just put some used stocks back on
There's plenty of people here that just have them laying around including myself and wouldn't mind parting with them
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on October 03, 2014, 12:35:19 AM
Quote from: Ramos617;438590
……………….If you like the stock shock and the ones you have are leaking or something just put some used stocks back on
There's plenty of people here that just have them laying around including myself and wouldn't mind parting with them

You have my undivided attention, how much for a good used pair shipped to:  86329?
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Ramos617 on October 06, 2014, 01:22:52 AM
Let me see what exactly I have back home
What are you looking for ?
Front struts, rear shocks, or a full set?
I believe I also have some quad shocks since I run tubular control arms out back
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on October 06, 2014, 03:18:53 AM
Hey Ramos,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you.
The left rear shock on our 88Turbo Coupe is leaking & needs to be replaced right away.
If the price is right I may buy both rears & have the other for future use.
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on October 16, 2014, 10:50:53 PM
Bumpity bump……….Ramos617 did you find out if you have the rear shock that I need?
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on November 20, 2014, 06:41:42 PM
1 last bump, does anyone else have used OEM rear shocks for 88TC, in good condition, that they would part with?
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on February 16, 2015, 07:13:26 PM
I never got a response on my plea for used 88 Turbo Coupe rear shock on here, nor on NATO, so I had to replace them with new equipment.
 Since we are not into big performance from this car which, up until now, was completely stock, we went with Gabriel Ultras on the back.
The ride is plenty firm with these installed, and I hope they last for as many years as the originals did! LOL
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Aerocoupe on February 17, 2015, 06:25:57 PM
I know its a day late and a dollar short but did you try http://www.car-part.com?  Kind of like Google for salvage yards.

Darren
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on February 17, 2015, 08:25:41 PM
Quote from: Aerocoupe;444808
I know its a day late and a dollar short but did you try http://www.car-part.com?  Kind of like Google for salvage yards.

Darren

No I hadn't heard of them, but on things like used shocks I would much rather buy from a trusted forum friend than a s yard.
BUT, thanks for the tip for when I need something badly in the future.
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on March 25, 2015, 09:36:34 PM
Well, the Gabriel shocks worked fine on the rearend, but their struts do not work on my TC.
I finally got the refund from them yesterday after weeks of haggling about them not being the correct ones.

This much I can tell you: I will never purchase anything from "Auto Anything" again.

My KYB Struts have arrived & should be on in the next week or so.
Ron
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: Aerocoupe on March 27, 2015, 05:46:02 PM
I ran KYB's on my '83 for several years, warrantied them out, and then sold them to one of the guys on here so they are pretty good in my book for a stock or very mildly modified suspension.

Darren
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: CaifanSC on March 28, 2015, 10:31:24 PM
just wondering, has anyone tried to see if the super coupe shocks will work to keep the electronic dampening stiffness?
Title: What's the best rear shock absorber for 88TC?
Post by: BLKBRD88 on March 31, 2015, 06:48:14 PM
I haven't checked that out, but would be real bummed out if they work on a TC & I have gone another(less desirable) direction.
Ron