Hi there. I just bought a 54 sedan and had the transmission overhauled. The shop who did it had some old school guy who used to work on cars back in the day. He retired, but came back to work on my car, which is great.

They called to tell me the car was ready, but that it needed rear shocks. The last owner told me they had been taken out and replaced with blocks. I would be happy to have it lower than stock, but the mechanic said it didn't seem very stable. I have a short drive to work and was hoping to drive this fairly regularly, but that includes taking my kid to school. I have to think about safety a little bit.

The mechanic couldn't even track down a place to order shocks. I don't know how well he knows the internet. I found a variety on Kanter's, but thought I should ask for recommendations. I am way to new at this to try bags or anything. Straight shocks would be fine. Does anyone have a favorite? Would this be regular shocks, gas, or coil overs? I have the shop manual, so I can see what was originally used, but am open to modifications.

Thanks!

 

Can you post a pic? It sounds like there are lowering blocks installed and NO shocks? If that is the case just install a set of new shocks and your golden.
On my 56 I have KYB shocks off a 70 dodge challenger and on the rear I am installing a pair of 2" lowering blocks along with a pair of air shocks...untill I notch the frame and install air bags.

 

USA Parts supply has the tube type gas shocks for the rear and knee action for the front for '54 if it uses those.




http://www.usapartssupply.com/

 

noisemaker, You can lower your 54 by keeping the original shocks and changing to 60 series tires . My car sits low enough that it scrapes on speed bumps and driveway encroachments when I hit them straight on. Also you shouldn't have knee action shocks on a 54,tube type all the way around. I think I bought my shocks from USA Parts and they work fine for over 20,000 miles. Just my thoughts....Tedd

 

55 may have been the year they changed to tube shocks all around. The 54 for sure has knee action on the front and tube on the rear.

 

My mistake, I thought 54 and 55 shared the same suspension parts...Tedd

 

I thought the same thing Tedd. I thought it changed in 56. Doe the 55 have ball joints. The 54 still has king pins and bushings.

 

Yep, I went out and git down on the cold floor to check the fronts, got ball joints and tube shocks. Thought I was having a senior moment for a while. it's been 10 years since I installed them and some things are getting fuzzy in my cluttered mind....Tedd