22 replies to this topic

[Whitehog]

79 4wd - can new rear shocks and front shocks/struts be found with any ease or is this a modification thing now? I'm in AZ, checked BAP and many websites and stores to no avail. I hear I can get balljoints and tie rod ends, fingers crossed and dont mind paying a bit of shipping.

[moosens]

They're out there .... just have to hunt around. Ball joints are plentiful. Tie rod ends - fairly plentiful. Those rear shocks - less plentiful :-\ ... but you'll score soon. I've got a set that I bought from eBay about a decade ago that I'm hoping aren't bad from sitting for 20+ years.

Please post any results on shocks. Thanks and good luck.

[Whitehog]

Thanks, im searchin, hopin there would be an easy swap. got to be somethin new that would fit.

[Whitehog]

Good lookin out, sounds like one of the tougher parts to find. Wondering if some new similar shocks could be rigged in with some part sharing? Gotta be somethin to put in it.

[SUBARU3]

I ran across some old info. I believe that these shocks may fit the rear of GEN 1 wagons, sedans, coupes and BRATs.

Monroe Matics # 33097

ALSO fits:

81-87 Ford Granada
78-83 Ford Fairmont
79-86 Mercury Capri
81-81 Mercury Cougar
82-86 Mercury Marquis

Todd

[Whitehog]

Thanks , gotta do some diggin and fittin, ill post results.

[O.C.D.]

Rock auto has the cross pin Monroe 5914 for the gen 1 Brat and that is wrong.

To add to this thread, the Monroe Matics # 33097 fits in the gen 1 Brat.

I found some Monroe Matics # 33097 locally and thought I would try them out.

5914 is closest to stock:
Compressed length - 12.75"
Extended length - 17.5"
Travel - 4.75"

33097 is longer but meets and exceeds the 5914 stats:
Compressed length - 12.25"
Extended length - 20.375"
Travel - 8.125"

Installed they are the same. The piston resides more in the middle of the tube though. I am not certain if this is a benefit or a hindrance but it reality that allows for more up-travel and down-travel as well. So will I hit a bumpstop on a hard bounce, probably. SO would any shock I guess. Would the wheel drop more if fully drooped, can't say yet. It could in theory if the torsion bar allows for it.

As my Brat is parked for a while I cannot corroborate the drive. Will hopefully soon.

Jon

Edited by O.C.D., 08 August 2012 - 12:40 PM.

[BlindSight]

So the 33097's fit in the rear but what about the front? looking to order a full set for my gen 1 brat.

Edited by BlindSight, 10 August 2012 - 04:09 PM.

[O.C.D.]

So the 33097's fit in the rear but what about the front? looking to order a full set for my gen 1 brat.

Fronts I am kind of lost now. I read in Mikaelda's thread that these work for gen 1 wagon's but I am not sure about Brats?

The picture below shows these bolts inside the springs? I really have no idea what these are for and even if the struts linked above will work?



I am thinking no?

Anyone have input on these?

[O.C.D.]

Maybe those bolts hold the spring plate? Maybe it bolts to the strut? I gotta look at mine more in depth tonight.

[O.C.D.]

Maybe the KYB's remove that plate entirely and use theirs?

I would love for some feedback from other cause that would be so simple.

[BlindSight]

They are adjustment bolts...1gen brats have them...they should be mounted to a plate under the spring. From what ive found there are some replacements available for the front but they don't adjust...which would be fine but no-one ever lists a PN or anything.

[O.C.D.]

They are adjustment bolts...1gen brats have them...they should be mounted to a plate under the spring. From what ive found there are some replacements available for the front but they don't adjust...which would be fine but no-one ever lists a PN or anything.

Agreed - part numbers are secretly guarded here, lol.

[SUBARU3]

REAR SHOCKS (BRAT) GABRIAL PARTS MASTER 82018
AC/Delco 520-275
Monroe LE10007
REAR SHOCKS MONROE # 1193 (MONROEMATIC)


I am also told that these fit rear GEN 1s

1981 - 1987 Ford Granada
1978 - 1983 Ford Fairmont
1979-1986 Mecury Capri
1981-1982 Mecury Cougar
1982-1986 Mercury Marquis

[BlindSight]

Yeah still looking for the fronts though, thanks for the detailed info on the rears, will be picking up a set soon.

[moosens]

You can get more height by adjusting those. Likely to be frozen no matter where you live , but heat and Yeild/PB Blaster or equiv. will work eventually.

Wow , I didn't see the 2nd page - pardon me .....

[bonvo]

if im remembering right the fronts are oil filled meaning that the strut tube is the actual strut solution is a rebuild with thicker oil look into motercycle shock oil it comes in a number of different weights to suit your needs

[BlindSight]

Thanks for the info. Planning on lowering my brat an inch or two so don't want worn out struts, would like something a little stiffer so I won't bottom out with every bump.

[Zefy]

At one point there was a build thread for a set of these...

http://www.ultimates...ead.php?t=88695

They used something like a beetle insert and some other madness. The OP designed and put them together... don't know if he is still active or not. Could be worth looking into.

[BlindSight]

Hmmm, 4 years old so probably a long shot and these raise the brat which im trying to lower but thanks for the info!

[Zefy]

The lift he got was from the springs, not the shocks themselves.

You could also just get koni inserts. Would be custom like the other ones but would probably be the best system possible. Konis require access to the bottom of the strut. I can't recall how much room is available between the bottom of the strut and the axle boot.

[levears]

I was able to buy Monroe 33097 shocks for the rear of my 1979 brat from Sears.com for $14.59 each plus shipping.  http://www.sears.com...Type=SKIP_LEVEL

 

I was also able to buy Subaru part# 721032260 front struts for my brat from SubaruParts.com for $118.76 each plus shipping.  The Part number on the old struts from my brat is 621052270, when I entered this at SubaruParts.com it was superseeded by part# 721032260. http://www.subarupar...t/?pn=621052270

 

Both the shocks and the struts have been installed on the brat and made a huge improvement over the old worn out stuff.

[O.C.D.]

I was able to buy Monroe 33097 shocks for the rear of my 1979 brat from Sears.com for $14.59 each plus shipping.  http://www.sears.com...Type=SKIP_LEVEL

 

I was also able to buy Subaru part# 721032260 front struts for my brat from SubaruParts.com for $118.76 each plus shipping.  The Part number on the old struts from my brat is 621052270, when I entered this at SubaruParts.com it was superseeded by part# 721032260. http://www.subarupar...t/?pn=621052270

 

Both the shocks and the struts have been installed on the brat and made a huge improvement over the old worn out stuff.

Nice, thanks for adding to this thread!

 

Pics of the front?