Modern shocks on a 55

[century]

Has any one put tube-type shocks on one of these knee-action or lever action rear ends? What type of mounts and shocks did you use?

[Judd]

Century

You might try 56 parts they have tube shocks on rear and are close to 55. 56 rear has tube shock mounts. and the frame mount could fit if cut off and welded to 55 frame?
Judd

[aforget]

According to http://www.adilop.com/ride.html:

"THE FAME of Buick's Million Dollar Ride will very likely reach your ears before you even try it. For with its cushioning comfort, steadiness, and effortless ease of handling, the 1955 Buick ride is matchless master of every road - and the envy of the industry. Shown here are the reasons why this is so -and why, in literal fact, over a million dollars went into bringing this dream ride to reality."

Having said that - I had the knee actions rebuilt on my 55 years ago. It made a decent difference -but, I the biggest change came with new leaf springs in the rear. I've heard some people say that these never wear out, but I disagree.

I will have air bags on the new frame.

[chuk0823]

I ad air bags put on my 55. I can adjust the ride stiffness all the way from buick soft to Camaro hard. I love it Now all I gotta do is bag the front. some may say that I ruined my car by putting a camaro Drive train in it but, it is now so reliable I am tempted to make it my daily driver. Until then it will remain tha saturday cruiser!!!!

[Judd]

chuk0823
My 56 has the original drive train and it's so reliable it is my daily driver. I just drove it to Chicago from South Mississippi and back last month, and I don't bore people with another sbc at car shows.
Judd

[nailhead_sled]

chuk0823, Have any pic of the air bag set-up? How big of a deal was the install? Did you have to fab new mounts and perches?

[nailhead_sled]

Doh, wait...didn't read your entire post. I saw air bags and skipped the rest.

[aforget]

There are pictures of an airbag setup here: http://www.adilop.com/During/Fitting/index.htm

[danny_curtis]

Has any one put tube-type shocks on one of these knee-action or lever action rear ends? What type of mounts and shocks did you use?
when or if you try this on your buick, let me know how it turns out.!! i have one too.

[DualQuad55]

I have had two different style tube shocks on the rear of my 55. At first I had some of a late model blazer, then with this set up I run some old 50/50 down locks out of who knows what.
I have mounts welded to the chassis and rear housing. I use tabs on the frame with a through-bolt and a similar setup on the rear housing but it has several mounting holes, such as for a coil spring set up.
Mine are set up with the tops slightly towards the rear, I am running a ladder bar set up and they don't allow for much roll from side to side.
Other setups such as late model cars run one mounted behind the housing and the top is further back on the frame, the other side mounted in front of the housing and the top is forward on the frame.


aforget-did you have leaf style springs installed or did you mean replacing the coil springs?

[56Tucknroll]

I bagged my 56 a couple years ago and I love it.
Mike

[aforget]

aforget-did you have leaf style springs installed or did you mean replacing the coil springs?

It is funny what time can do to a guys memory. It most certainly was coils. Almost 20 years ago my brother worked at a spring shop and I got a good deal on having him replace them. I did the whole rebuild-the-knee-action-shocks thing prior to that. Putting new springs on a stock '55 Buick is the best thing you can do for your ride without slipping into the nether regions of non-stock.

Of course, I'm ridding on air in the nether regions today.

[aforget]

There are pictures of an airbag setup here: http://www.adilop.com/During/Fitting/index.htm
Wow, this is an old thread... My airbag setup can be seen here: http://www.55buick.com/Project/airRide.html