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  1. #1

    Question 79 Fairmont Futura rear shock choices?

    Looking at replacing the rear shocks on my 79 Fairmont Futura, 3.3L I6, 41k miles, upgraded to 15" Mustang phone dial wheels. The two best choices I see locally are both KYB, either the Excel-G or the Gas-a-Just...
    The car is just a cruiser, not driven much, but tired of it sagging and rolling like a crab boat in high seas...
    Which is the better choice? Want something better than the factory but not super stiff and I've mostly had decent luck with KYB in the past except for one car that I got some that were super stiff years ago... (can't even remember the shock model).
    Price is the same.

  2. #2
    FEP Power Member mcb82gt's Avatar
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    Jan 2004
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    Olathe, Kansas
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    Gas a just on my mustang, I hated them. Too harsh.

    Maybe check on rockauto and get some springs and some Monroe oespectrum, sachs or bilsteins.



    https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+absorber,7556
    Mike

    Now stang-less.

    88 Cougar 5.0

  3. #3

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    Sagging isn't caused by your shocks. That's your springs. I put KYBs on my Escort GT once and they did not dampen ride motions at all. Bounciest car I've ever driven, and that's saying a lot! I know you said you're not looking for a sportier ride, but I REALLY like my H&R Sport springs and Tokico blue shocks. WAY more than I expected to. The ride is very smooth, but not floaty or bouncy like these cars were from the factory. I think stuff like KYB and Gabriel are just meant as place holders. Yes, it's a new part that fits where the old one was, but that's about the extent of the thought that was put into their design. I had Gabriels on my Zeph before the Tokicos, and it rode like crap. If you take a small step up to a performance brand, but don't go for the FULL RACECAR models, you won't be sorry.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  4. #4

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    Ok, so maybe I'll do springs and shocks to be safe, corners like a gunboat in heavy seas... lol.
    I've never gotten into suspension much, so I'm a little fuzzy on variable vs constant rate springs...
    Which would I want for a daily driver (no drag racing, nothing crazy, etc) and why?
    Thanks! Almost forgot I'd posted this, covid-craziness and all... and she isn't running again... fuel pump diaphragm must have split over the winter or something... hope to have that resolved tomorrow...

  5. #5
    FEP Power Member richpet's Avatar
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    Mar 2003
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    The variable rate springs are softer and more comfortable for normal driving, getting into the stiffer/harder rates when you play.

    For street variable is better than linear.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
    83 5.0 GT. Quicker than it looks! 10:1 (or just over) 306, Motorsport a332 cam, 140A alt, t5 conv, 8.8 w/ 3.27's, Edel rpm, alum rad, very worked e7's, Holley SA carb, etc... SOLD IT!!!!

    Now an 1981 Granada! .040 over 302, Edel E-street heads... Currently building a 347 because, why not?

    "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

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