Topic: 1968 GT Shocks

[bullitt68]

I did a search and I was not able to confirm if these are the correct shocks for my car. I did see a similar photo of red Koni shocks, but the stamping was at the top of the shock, not lower down like on mine. I would like to have the correct looking shocks on the car with the right color at the very least. Not sure if there are good repos available in from after market or what most guys are running for shocks on these cars. Also would the 68 GT 390 use the same shocks as any other Mustangs.

Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

They appear to be after market replacements. The color is a sure tell. The Ford shocks should have a Ford engineering number on them C7,C8 etc. prefix. Also the shocks would typically have a Ford trademark stamped somewhere in this case Autolite.  The color would most likely be black .

[J_Speegle]

I did a search and I was not able to confirm if these are the correct shocks for my car..............Also would the 68 GT 390 use the same shocks as any other Mustangs.

As Bob mentioned - nope not even close

And your last question - "would the 68 GT 390 use the same shocks" is sort of a trick question. It would have used the same as some other 68 Mustangs but there were a fair number of different shocks (front and rears) used based on suspension package, engine size, transmission type ... There were two different suppliers so there are even differences between plants - not part numbers or paint marks but design features (thread count and marking differences)  of the shocks

Below are a couple of rear shocks dated and marked as for a typical San Jose built car. Exact part number C8ZF-18080-? may be different for your exact application.

[Coralsnake]

I think it was also depend on which suspension pkg you have.

I agree the red shocks are not originals. You are going to find originals are difficult to locate

[J_Speegle]

I think it was also depend on which suspension pkg you have.

+1     

[Coralsnake]

The later parts catalog does not list the individual applications for rear shocks.

Jeffs pictures look like C8ZF-E

The HD suspensions used C8ZF-H and C8ZF-J shocks

I think finding a good, properly shaped, black shock is your best choice. Reproductions are extremely expensive and not practical for most cars

[J_Speegle]

The later parts catalog does not list the individual applications for rear shocks.

Jeffs pictures look like C8ZF-E

Followed by a number

Have pictures of a -G1 also

The HD suspensions used C8ZF-H and C8ZF-J shocks

These would have brown paint marks - discussed in another thread

I think finding a good, properly shaped, black shock is your best choice. Reproductions are extremely expensive and not practical for most cars

If you go this route remember to fill in or remove the non-factory markings before painting.  You'll be looking for coarse thread rather than fine thread ends (for the rears) and matching nuts. Reproductions nuts  in kits I think come in fine

[bullitt68]

They appear to be after market replacements. The color is a sure tell. The Ford shocks should have a Ford engineering number on them C7,C8 etc. prefix. Also the shocks would typically have a Ford trademark stamped somewhere in this case Autolite.  The color would most likely be black .

Great thanks for clarifying

[bullitt68]

As Bob mentioned - nope not even close

And your last question - "would the 68 GT 390 use the same shocks" is sort of a trick question. It would have used the same as some other 68 Mustangs but there were a fair number of different shocks (front and rears) used based on suspension package, engine size, transmission type ... There were two different suppliers so there are even differences between plants - not part numbers or paint marks but design features (thread count and marking differences)  of the shocks

Below are a couple of rear shocks dated and marked as for a typical San Jose built car. Exact part number C8ZF-18080-? may be different for your exact application.

Thanks for the info Jeff

[bullitt68]

I think it was also depend on which suspension pkg you have.

I agree the red shocks are not originals. You are going to find originals are difficult to locate

Great thanks. So what are most guys doing for shocks

[bullitt68]

Followed by a number

Have pictures of a -G1 also


These would have brown paint marks - discussed in another thread

Is there a prefered shock or shock that is acceptable in most circles that work well and look the part


If you go this route remember to fill in or remove the non-factory markings before painting.  You'll be looking for coarse thread rather than fine thread ends (for the rears) and matching nuts. Reproductions nuts  in kits I think come in fine

[RoyceP]

Here's my solution:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1967-MUSTANG-AUTOLITE-REAR-SHOCK-C5ZZ18125B-289-HIPO-390-GT/223207499488?epid=1727331694&hash=item33f83426e0:g:URIAAOSw8L9Z4jmE:sc:USPSPriority!75214!US!-1:rk:2:pf:0

Great thanks. So what are most guys doing for shocks

[67gtasanjose]

Great thanks. So what are most guys doing for shocks

Many are doing what Jeff suggested, covering the stampings on similar-looking replacements on the market.
Other times, you just stumble on to a NOS set that is more or less correct. I had a  NOS rear set from a 66 I was going to use, then one day another member of this forum offered up a pair of New Take-Off's that were almost perfect for my project (dates were off, otherwise they were spot-on). There is somebody who re-stamps shocks but I cannot remember who he is. Perhaps somebody else knows his contact info.

[Bob Gaines]

Many are doing what Jeff suggested, covering the stampings on similar-looking replacements on the market.
Other times, you just stumble on to a NOS set that is more or less correct. I had a  NOS rear set from a 66 I was going to use, then one day another member of this forum offered up a pair of New Take-Off's that were almost perfect for my project (dates were off, otherwise they were spot-on). There is somebody who re-stamps shocks but I cannot remember who he is. Perhaps somebody else knows his contact info.

Dan Patch is the only guy I am aware of.   A set of his are about 1500-1700.00 and take about 6-8 months to get . PM me for contact info if interested.

[J_Speegle]

Here's my solution:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1967-MUSTANG-AUTOLITE-REAR-SHOCK-C5ZZ18125B-289-HIPO-390-GT/223207499488?epid=1727331694&hash=item33f83426e0:g:URIAAOSw8L9Z4jmE:sc:USPSPriority!75214!US!-1:rk:2:pf:0

Close but not exactly correct for the PO's application it would likely pass most peoples inspection

Did run across a running change in the markings on the AUTOLITE stamps the other day. Earlier versions have the hortizontal lines on both sides of the trademark while later version has no lines except to the left and tight of the MADE IN USA or MADE IN CANADA.

These are the earlier version than the ones likely installed originally on your car.