1984 Mustang Rear Shocks

mercury-man · Dec 9, 2022

FoxChasis said:
The 'Quadra-Shock rear suspension' include all four dampners, not just the horizontal axle dampners.

You have helped with my shock absorber education. After doing some googling, I just learned that a "damper" is the same as a "shock absorber".

And, yes, I think I understand that I would need two quad shocks and two regular shocks to do the rear of my Mustang.

I just ordered the Gabriel 14039 rear quad shocks, as suggested earlier by 'Mustang5l5'. Amazon had by far the best price.

Now I just have to figure out which regular rear shock absorbers to order.

limp · Dec 9, 2022

Amazon can have some great pricing but then I have seen them have the highest price .. Try Rock Auto also, but watch the shipping charges......
If you wanted to do the rear shocks ( all 4 of them) and then do the fronts a month or two later I don't see any big deal personally...
But I do agree with an another post on here that based on what the rear shocks looked like, prepare to do the fronts too.....

mercury-man · Dec 9, 2022

limp said:
Amazon can be high and low in pricing... Try Rock Auto also, but watch the shipping charges......
If you wanted to do the rear shocks ( all 4 of them) and then do the fronts a month or two later I don't see any big deal personally...
But I do agree with an another post on here that based on what the rear shocks looked like, prepare to do the fronts too.....

I just got under my car and took a good look at the front struts. I would not say they look great but I think they have been replaced at some point over the past 38+ years. I don't think they are original like the rear shocks.

The Gabriel quad shocks from Amazon were $23 each and the shipping was free.

I'm still inclined to do the rear shocks first and then decide about doing the front struts.

General karthief · Dec 9, 2022

mercury-man said:
I think I see coil springs surrounding what I think must be the struts???

Are you sure about what you're seeing?
You describe a 'coilover' strut, which was not factory on the 84 mustang, you may be just hallucinating, or dirty glasses.
can you get a pic?

mercury-man · Dec 9, 2022

Any thoughts from anyone on these rear shocks:

Gabriel 49149 Hijacker

Amazon product ASIN B001AMCBQ8View: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AMCBQ8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AZOTQO1BNP8N9&psc=1

Mustang5L5 · Dec 9, 2022

mercury-man said:
My shop guy is telling me that installation for the rear shocks is relatively inexpensive but that the front struts installation would be about $500.

Hdhdh

Rear shocks are easy and quick to do.

Fronts aren’t that much more difficult. A lot of shops misquote them as McPherson strut type shocks with the spring as part of the strut, but this is incorrect, so no spring removal is necessary. Two bolts at the bottom, the top nut, and out comes the strut. No need to touch the spring. You will/should need an alignment with the new struts. $500 in labor for just the fronts is a bit steep IMHO.

Honestly, sounds like you just want to drive the car and enjoy it. Any of the basic brand struts will be fine. KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, I think they are all about the same. I can’t really recommend a $1k. Bilstien B6 setup for a cruiser with stock everything else.

mercury-man · Dec 9, 2022

General karthief said:
Are you sure about what you're seeing?
You describe a 'coilover' strut, which was not factory on the 84 mustang, you may be just hallucinating, or dirty glasses.
can you get a pic?

I just took a closer look with my 86 year old eyes.

My previous description was incorrect.

I am now seeing the strut which is separate from what I think must be the coil over (looks like springs??).

mercury-man · Dec 9, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
Rear shocks are easy and quick to do.

Fronts aren’t that much more difficult. A lot of shops misquote them as McPherson strut type shocks with the spring as part of the strut, but this is incorrect, so no spring removal is necessary. Two bolts at the bottom, the top nut, and out comes the strut. No need to touch the spring. You will/should need an alignment with the new struts. $500 in labor for just the fronts is a bit steep IMHO.

Honestly, sounds like you just want to drive the car and enjoy it. Any of the basic brand struts will be fine. KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, I think they are all about the same. I can’t really recommend a $1k. Bilstien B6 setup for a cruiser with stock everything else.

Yes, my car will just be very lightly driven.

It would probably be just fine the way it is but I think the leaking rear shocks probably ought to be replaced.

I ordered the 14039 Gabriel quad shocks.

And I am trying to decide if these are the correct rear vertical shocks:

Gabriel 49149 Hijacker

I have a young friend who is a talented mechanic. I might be able to get him to just come to my house and replace the rear shocks, probably for quite a bit less.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 9, 2022

They are not.

Check Rockauto.com,

Or browse here and see if anything interests you.

https://lmr.com/products/79-93-Mustang-Shocks-Struts-Spring-Kits

87+ front struts are different than the 79-86 versions. So you can buy the same rear shocks as the 87-93 cars, but if you find something you like, you’ll have to find the part number for the 79-86 version to purchase that.

The Koni orange line might be a good entry-level DD type strut that might fit your budget

Mustang5L5 · Dec 9, 2022

Gabriel 69755 seems to be the correct rear shock for a v8 car

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gab-69755

If you pull up the application tab, it shows it fitting a GT but not an LX. Unfortunately most of these guides assume LX = base 2.3 car. The LX 5.0 got the same suspension bits as the GT, so it’s easier to select “GT” when checking fit on parts like this.

General karthief · Dec 9, 2022

mercury-man said:
Any thoughts from anyone on these rear shocks:

Gabriel 49149 Hijacker
Amazon product ASIN B001AMCBQ8View: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AMCBQ8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AZOTQO1BNP8N9&psc=1

(Sound the 'incorrect ' buzzer sound here)
Those are for a 60's or 70's car with too big a wheel and tire that don't fit inside the wheel well, you don't want these.

mercury-man · Dec 9, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
Gabriel 69755 seems to be the correct rear shock for a v8 car

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gab-69755

If you pull up the application tab, it shows it fitting a GT but not an LX. Unfortunately most of these guides assume LX = base 2.3 car. The LX 5.0 got the same suspension bits as the GT, so it’s easier to select “GT” when checking fit on parts like this.

Thanks.

Summit seems to have a very good price on these.

2000xp8 · Dec 10, 2022

Since you aren't into for performance, goto rockauto.com and see your options.
Many times they are hard to beat, even by amazon.
Since you are paying you don't want to do this twice.
I would want the shocks and struts to match, so you should buy a set that they make struts and shocks for which is not many for an 86 or older.
At first glance, i'm with thief, i would think those are for jacking up the rear end.
You want oem replacements.

AeroCoupe · Dec 10, 2022

RockAuto - Motorcraft rear shock:

1986 FORD MUSTANG 5.0L 302cid V8 Shock Absorber | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

It says 85-93 but it will work on your ‘84 and it’s a Ford part if you want to keep it somewhat original.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 10, 2022

That’s prob the shock I’d run if keeping a stock car stock. Gabriel quads and the motor craft mains.

mercury-man · Dec 10, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
That’s prob the shock I’d run if keeping a stock car stock. Gabriel quads and the motor craft mains.

Thanks, I am thinking the same way.

I've ordered the Gabriel Quads from Amazon:
Amazon product ASIN B001AM5P48View: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AM5P48?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I think this is the Motorcraft OEM rear shock for my car:

More Information for MOTORCRAFT ASHV1003

I like the idea of keeping an original look. I also think these new shocks will improve the ride. The ride is OK on a smooth road but bumps are noticeable.

As previously mentioned, the shocks on the rear of my car are leaking pretty badly. They appear to be original so they are almost 39 years old.

Noobz347 · Dec 10, 2022

Come back and let us know what your first-hand impressions are of the suspension with your new parts.

mercury-man · Dec 10, 2022

Noobz347 said:
Come back and let us know what your first-hand impressions are of the suspension with your new parts.

Will do. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and help.

mercury-man · Dec 12, 2022

Mustang5L5 said:
That’s prob the shock I’d run if keeping a stock car stock. Gabriel quads and the motor craft mains.

My shop wants $299 to install the two rear shocks plus the two quad shocks.

AeroCoupe · Dec 12, 2022

That is insane. Literally a two hour project in a driveway with the proper tools and by proper I mean an impact would be nice but you can do it with hand tools.

1984 Mustang Rear Shocks

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wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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Gabriel 49149 Hijacker​

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Gabriel 49149 Hijacker​

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Gabriel 49149 Hijacker​

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lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

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lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

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