Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

drop shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2023 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
jc302x's Avatar
jc302x
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
drop shocks

can anyone help me find some good or the best rear drop shocks for my 76
I've done the crown vic front end on it. what are good front shocks/struts for the crown vic set up?
it will be on a 5 or 6 in drop... I tryed looking for belltech but they don't make any for my truck

 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2023 | 05:55 PM
  #2  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,836
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Are you going to drop it low enough to need a notch in the frame. If you aren't notching the frame for the axle, 2wd shocks will do.
2wd trucks are set up for the frame bump stops to hit the axle tubes, so stock length 2wd shocks will work up to that point.
can anyone help me find some good or the best rear drop shocks for my 76
I've done the crown vic front end on it. what are good front shocks/struts for the crown vic set up?
it will be on a 5 or 6 in drop... I tryed looking for belltech but they don't make any for my truck
If dropping a 2wd truck 5 or 6 inches in rear, you'll need to notch the frame. If not, you'll be riding on the bump stops before it get's that low.

​​​​​​​For the front, what year CV was used matters. 2003 up use coil overs, 2002 and back use regular shocks.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2023 | 07:01 PM
  #3  
jc302x's Avatar
jc302x
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
I'm at 4in drop now and bout 2in from the bump stop I want to lower it about another 2 inches and in the process of making me some shock extender brackets. That will also help correct the shock angle.. so I think I'm good there. In the front I do have struts/coil overs
Originally Posted by tbear853
Are you going to drop it low enough to need a notch in the frame. If you aren't notching the frame for the axle, 2wd shocks will do.
2wd trucks are set up for the frame bump stops to hit the axle tubes, so stock length 2wd shocks will work up to that point. If dropping a 2wd truck 5 or 6 inches in rear, you'll need to notch the frame. If not, you'll be riding on the bump stops before it get's that low.

For the front, what year CV was used matters. 2003 up use coil overs, 2002 and back use regular shocks.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2023 | 08:07 PM
  #4  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,836
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Originally Posted by jc302x
I'm at 4in drop now and bout 2in from the bump stop I want to lower it about another 2 inches and in the process of making me some shock extender brackets. That will also help correct the shock angle.. so I think I'm good there. In the front I do have struts/coil overs
If your 2" from bump stops now, and lower it 2", you'd be just as well off to clamp the axle to the frame rails. No need for shocks then. Why I asked about notching the frame.
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2023 | 08:56 PM
  #5  
speedfreak78's Avatar
speedfreak78
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
There's a few different shock options for the 03+ crown vic front ends assuming it's still set up for stock length shocks. If you don't mind spending some money you can get adjustable coilovers or air struts and have the ability to adjust the height. Are you making the tabs that lower the shock mount point on the lower control arm?

How is the rear setup? drop spring? spring under? drop shackles?
 
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2023 | 10:17 PM
  #6  
jc302x's Avatar
jc302x
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
i'm not making tabs for the front struts, when i was talking about shock extenders i was referring to the rear shocks with an extension lower bracket to use stock length shocks
what adjustable coil overs work for these crown vic set up?
on the above picture now it has hangers and shackles only

Originally Posted by speedfreak78
There's a few different shock options for the 03+ crown vic front ends assuming it's still set up for stock length shocks. If you don't mind spending some money you can get adjustable coilovers or air struts and have the ability to adjust the height. Are you making the tabs that lower the shock mount point on the lower control arm?

How is the rear setup? drop spring? spring under? drop shackles?
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2023 | 06:38 AM
  #7  
speedfreak78's Avatar
speedfreak78
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Originally Posted by jc302x
i'm not making tabs for the front struts, when i was talking about shock extenders i was referring to the rear shocks with an extension lower bracket to use stock length shocks
what adjustable coil overs work for these crown vic set up?
on the above picture now it has hangers and shackles only
It sounds like you're trying to go as low as possible without any concern for suspension travel or ride quality. At 4" drop you're just about on the bumpstops with almost no room for suspension movement.
Stock shocks aren't going to have enough dampening to control the spring enough to stop hitting the bump stops with that much drop, you really should just get some stiffer, 3-4" drop shocks.

Just search crown victoria coilovers, there's a bunch of options. Also search for Mercury Marauder parts, the suspensions are the same and sometimes they don't list Vics in the ads.

these are the tabs for the front that let you drop a the shocks a couple inches into the control arm for more drop
https://www.outcastautoworks.com/pro...op-bracket-set
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2023 | 09:42 PM
  #8  
jc302x's Avatar
jc302x
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 2
Bumps stop can easily be removed.
I'm working on adapting better longer shocks with the right angle for a better ride. I have a few other lowered trucks that ride perfect
thanks for the link

Originally Posted by speedfreak78
It sounds like you're trying to go as low as possible without any concern for suspension travel or ride quality. At 4" drop you're just about on the bumpstops with almost no room for suspension movement.
Stock shocks aren't going to have enough dampening to control the spring enough to stop hitting the bump stops with that much drop, you really should just get some stiffer, 3-4" drop shocks.

Just search crown victoria coilovers, there's a bunch of options. Also search for Mercury Marauder parts, the suspensions are the same and sometimes they don't list Vics in the ads.

these are the tabs for the front that let you drop a the shocks a couple inches into the control arm for more drop
https://www.outcastautoworks.com/pro...op-bracket-set
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
steve.barnett71
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
7
Jan 17, 2023 03:11 PM
Fleetwood271
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jun 21, 2019 02:33 AM
jason8374
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jan 16, 2015 11:39 AM
JOHN2001
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
12
Feb 21, 2011 05:44 PM
tschmitt
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 23, 2009 06:20 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:19 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE