What shocks for 73 Challenger?

Post by **MattH** » Mon Jan 16, 06 10:54 pm

Member without MB access has larger wheels on his 73 Chally and the tyres rub the archesover bumps. Can longer shocks be fitted to cure this, and if so what ones. The shocks are standard at present, previously fitted air shocks needed 120psi in them to get the clearance !!
Has anyone cured this problem before?
Any suggestions I will pass on ,
Cheers
Matt H

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Mon Jan 16, 06 10:57 pm

Shocks only damp unless air as already tried. Maybe a jack up shackle kit like on Blue's Anglia! Re-arching the springs might do it.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jan 17, 06 8:30 am

forget shocks and get some new springs, ESPO do oversize to get lift. Very helpful they are too.

http://www.espo.com/

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jan 17, 06 8:41 am

If the wheels are too big or have the wrong offset then the wheels are the problem and there lies the solution.

If the problem is the springs get new springs.

Shocks are dampers and should have nothing to do with ride height. Air shocks are bad news for handling.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jan 17, 06 8:42 am

Neil. Why are you using a drawing of me in the Challenger as your avitar?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jan 17, 06 8:52 am

Neil. Why are you using a drawing of me in the Challenger as your avitar?

your so cool Dave

what`s yours all about then?

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jan 17, 06 9:59 am

Just feeling dark at the moment.

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Tue Jan 17, 06 12:23 pm

Agree with all that - don't use shocks to cure a spring problem. In addition to all the other comments, if you use shocks to raise the car (i.e. air shocks) you are passing the suspension loads through the shock crossmember which is not designed to take that. Nasty! Nasty! Don't like 'em!!

Super Stock springs will give about 2 inches of lift safely. Much more than that, then you should be fixing the reason it needs the height rather than giving it more height IMHO

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jan 17, 06 12:26 pm

MrNorm wrote:(i.e. air shocks) you are passing the suspension loads through the shock crossmember which is not designed to take that.

Oh! Good point!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jan 17, 06 3:19 pm

mine had coil over assist shocks when I got it. They came off pretty sharpish, backend dropped about 2". So same thing applies, all the load on the shock tower - bad news.

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Tue Jan 17, 06 7:16 pm

i run air shocks on the duster . thay are great for towing the caravan but if i forget to let them down it handles like a jelly

but it is fun at the trafic lights to push the rear end up by 6"

. if i was trying to sort it properly i would get new or retempered springs (not too expensive). if anyone wants a air setup for an A body its for sale , it wont work with a narrowed 9" and 440.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jan 17, 06 9:46 pm

A couple of people on my message board have had to repair or replace the shock crossmember because the upper shock mounts were worn bad.

I did wonder how that happens.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Jan 17, 06 9:47 pm

Trev I got both my rear springs custom made at a leaf spring place for ?75. You can't argue with that can you?

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Tue Jan 17, 06 9:57 pm

dave , thats a good price , i only use the air for towing , it lifts the rear bu 4" unloaded . we have a local blacksmith who can do springs but the air came up cheap so i fitted it , as i said good for towing not for general use .

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Tue Jan 17, 06 10:55 pm

I have seen cars where air shocks have punched trough the trunk floor

not such a big problem with Mopar rear shock location but the cross brace could snap off, they really are not a good idea..