re: Big car Rambler front shocks-Thanks

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Are these bayonet end (stud end) or bearing end ("eye" end -- has a horizontal bolt through a bushing) shocks on the lower end (where they mount to the A-arm)? I know 62-64 use the bayonet end, and 66+ uses the bearing end. The 65 TSM shows bayonet, but may have been printed before the change or it was overlooked. I'm not positive which end the 65 has -- and early 65s could have bayonet, later bearing end. 

It's easy to make an adapter from 1" wide x 1/8" thick strap steel for a bearing end shock on the 62-64. That's really all AMC did -- riveted an adapter over the bayonet mount hole. It would be worth it to get better shocks. 

Sears Auto Centers can special order shocks for older cars. They will be the modern gas shocks, but the factory (I think they are Monroes) finds a close match for the old application and assembles a set with the correct ends. Takes a week or two to get them in. Other Monroe dealers should be able to do the same. The KYBs are much beter shocks though. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)

original message----------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 15:04:52 -0500
From: kflan5621@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Big car Rambler front shocks-Thanks

I wanted to post this for general information purposes and to thank Tom Jennings 
for the information re: front shocks for big ramblers.  As you may know, no one 
makes shocks for this application anymore.  By taking info provided by Tom, I 
was able to cross reference the applicable KYB shocks for my car.  As I finally 
got the front coils and shocks installed today, I can say that following shocks 
will fit the front of mid 60's Classics, Ambo's, Rebels, etc (mine is a 65 
Classic):

Monroe #31069 
KYB KG5517 gasadjust
KYB 343219 GR2 line.