shock replace after Dana 36 to 44 swap?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 338
Likes: 8
From: South NewJersey
shock replace after Dana 36 to 44 swap?
I did my swap about a year ago everything is great !!! Love IT.. with TH NEW 4.11 gears with my new engine...Nice.. Now I go to replace my rear shocks with Blistines and they dont seem to line up correctly. The bushings on my old AC delcos made putting them back on easy but now when I try to get new ones on I feel like I need to bend them on an angle to fit . Is this normal? My car is an 84 and the rear is out of a 95 . has anyone had this problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,412
Likes: 2,745
I did my swap about a year ago everything is great !!! Love IT.. with TH NEW 4.11 gears with my new engine...Nice.. Now I go to replace my rear shocks with Blistines and they dont seem to line up correctly. The bushings on my old AC delcos made putting them back on easy but now when I try to get new ones on I feel like I need to bend them on an angle to fit . Is this normal? My car is an 84 and the rear is out of a 95 . has anyone had this problem?
What all did you change?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 338
Likes: 8
From: South NewJersey
I changed the entire rear end. from the differential out to the breaks.
I thought that was just what everyone else did. I used my original drive shaft a c-beam. I drilled two etra hole at the tranny.
I did get the shocks on. It just took a bit of persuasion. not a hammer just hand work. after jacking up knuckle.
It feels really good. I just hope Im not stressing anything.
I thought that was just what everyone else did. I used my original drive shaft a c-beam. I drilled two etra hole at the tranny.
I did get the shocks on. It just took a bit of persuasion. not a hammer just hand work. after jacking up knuckle.
It feels really good. I just hope Im not stressing anything.
Last edited by frankinvett84; Apr 21, 2017 at 09:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 609
From: Minneapolis Mn
Just changed the shocks on mine. Similar issue trying to get the shocks on, didn't want to slip in like I expected. I initially tried putting the top bolt in first then getting the bottom on the knuckle. It was problematic trying it that way.
I ended up slipping the shock on the stud on the knuckle first, then jacked the knuckle up a little then was able to slip the bolt in the top. Once all the mounting points were on, then bolted it down and tightened them to proper torque settings. I had the spring hooked up and this worked out well for me doing it in this sequence though I think had I unhooked the spring it might have gone a bit quicker.
I ended up slipping the shock on the stud on the knuckle first, then jacked the knuckle up a little then was able to slip the bolt in the top. Once all the mounting points were on, then bolted it down and tightened them to proper torque settings. I had the spring hooked up and this worked out well for me doing it in this sequence though I think had I unhooked the spring it might have gone a bit quicker.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 338
Likes: 8
From: South NewJersey
Funny... I did the opposite. thought it was easier to put top in slip bolt though to hold then get the bottom on the bolt then pull it in with nut..I guess what ever works. I asked a mechanic friend of mine he said it wasnt uncommon for this do to the geometry of the Independent rear suspension. Thanks, its nice to hear it wasnt do to me changing the rear.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,501
Likes: 3,302
From: Hartford WI
This is weird. I did use the D44 beam so IDK. Mine went on just fine. I just took them off too. As to how good it feels, I suspect a little of both.
PLEASE KEEP THE RECEIPT. That is your lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. With that, they replaced both my front FX3 shocks at $200 a piece.
PLEASE KEEP THE RECEIPT. That is your lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. With that, they replaced both my front FX3 shocks at $200 a piece.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: AZ
SO, if it don't fit, get a bigger hammer?
Those clues are to be researched, not muscled!I swapped in a late D44 to my '84, but only the pumpkin and batwing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 338
Likes: 8
From: South NewJersey
I knew the 95 rear was wider going in..It was part of the reason for getting the rear end that I got. I did a bunch of research be for starting the swap on here and other sites and I didn't notice this being an issue on any of them. Every other point of attachment went fine the only thing I needed to "engineer" was the emergency break cable. Like I said I never used a hammer (at least when installing the shocks..lol) I needed to put the top bolt though then jack up the knuckle untill it was the same height then pull the shock toward me a bit until it was started o the stud then use the nut and washer to push it the rest of the way..has anyone used a newer wider rear in an earlier C4 and had to deal with this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,125
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From: St. Charles MO
Yeah, I think this is the problem. It sounds like you swapped in the entire rear suspension from the 95, which means you need dampers to fit the 89-96 C4. Or you might consider going whalepirot's route and just swapping the pumpkin and batwing, and retaining your 84 suspension. This would probably make more sense unless you plan to upgrade the front suspension too. But that is a really involved upgrade that requires a wholesale swap of the K-member and all. And depending on your intended use, the updates suspension geometry may not be an upgrade at all.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 338
Likes: 8
From: South NewJersey
I aleady have the complete front Kfrom a 94... hence..Frankenvette...LOL.. what do you mean dampers ? do you mean something to bring the top mount out ? Or the bottom mount in?? As for now the car feels much better than it did with the old shocks. Much tighter. Now moving on to the great tire dissension..My wheels are from a 2000 (five spoke).
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,677
Yeah, I think this is the problem. It sounds like you swapped in the entire rear suspension from the 95, which means you need dampers to fit the 89-96 C4. Or you might consider going whalepirot's route and just swapping the pumpkin and batwing, and retaining your 84 suspension. This would probably make more sense unless you plan to upgrade the front suspension too. But that is a really involved upgrade that requires a wholesale swap of the K-member and all. And depending on your intended use, the updates suspension geometry may not be an upgrade at all.
If he gets the shocks for a late model, we won't be able to mount them at the top.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS