What shocks are you guy's with early 40's cars using? I tried looking up on different sites to try and get a cross reference for part numbers to use on my 40, but they don't go back that far. Did they use the same rear shocks on the post war mopars on the pre war cars? Thanks for the help, later shawn

I'd suggest taking some measurements.
My 40 has an eyelet mount top and bottom.
You want the same size holes.
Then measure the distance at rest, at full extension (jack up the frame and measure the distance between the shock mounts) and at full compression (unless you have enough weight to fully compress the springs, you can measure the distance from the top of the axle to the stopper, add some weight and hazard a good guess that will be different due to the shock angle).
If you have access to scales (most circle track racrs will have 'em) weigh each corner.
Now go to the local GOOD parts shop and ask to look through the shock catalog. You should be able to find something that will have the right mounts, open and closed height, and come on a similar weight car or truck.


P.S. I haven't done my rears yet, and my front shocks have the wrong bottom hole size.

Shoot, you can get shock specs online. When I lowered my Mustang I needed shorter shocks, turns out that MoPar A body rear shock can be made to work on a 2" lowered SN95 Stang, need to open the mounting sleeves a bit with a drill.

Shawn , The above advise sounds good ...there's a company on the bag named "Atlas Parts" they have a set for my 47 that i've been contemplating for a while . Try looking them up and see if they have anything for your car . I don't know their quality ot have'nt heard much about them in general .I think the set for mine was 189.00 which seemed a little pricey .... but dont have much choice sometimes ...hope this helps . Mike

Unless you going to leave your car completely stock, don't waste your money buying the oem replacements.

Measure your mounting bolt size, extended length, and static lengeth. See what comes close. Unless your doing some serious loading, or off roading, 3" compression from static length will be OK. Many truck shocks have over 10" of travel, you just need to be sure your not at one extreme or the other. I think almost $200 per shock is just nuts. Gene

Sounds like I'm going to have to do some measuring. My car didn't have the original shocks on it when I got it so I have nothing to go by. I'm planning on towing a small camper(if I ever find one cheap enough).

Mike I did see them for my car on e-bay. I only need the rear as my car is sub framed up front. I should shoot them a message to see if they could give me the measurements off the rear ones to compare to something else. Thanks guy's. later shawn

i believe monroe has an on line catolog,,,i cross refrenced my 1940 dodge coupe rear shocks,,they fit numerious vehicles,,,42 thru 48 ford,,and several others,,i usually keep the box ill have to look,,,i gave them away hardly any mileage on them,, i went to posie lowering leafs and shocks made for the lowering spring height,,,

Did you stick with the narrow leafs or did you upgrade to the 2 1/2" wide leafs for the Posies springs? If you used the wider springs how did you mount them. My buddy is trying to convince me to put wider leafs under mine. I have a pic of your 40 that my buddy took when he went to Macungie. Very nice car. I thought post war years would work, I beleive they only changed sheet metal. Thanks for the help. later shawn

shawn,,,sorry for the delay , i didnt see this in my e mail,,the posie springs are the same as factory width,,they bolt right in,,and lowered the car, ride much better then the orignal replacements that were in the car,,about 2 inches lower then stock, also the shocks were built for those springs and mount like the orignals ,they were made by a company in calif,but there parent company is bilstien,. , bilstien sent me to posie they had them on the shelf,posie never offered info reguarding there where shocks made for the springs,,hope to have it back runing and at macungie next year e mail me any time fstfish66@aol.com don

Don, thank's for the info. Sent ya an e-mail. later shawn

shawn,, i sent you e mail with the shock part numbers,,,,