Gen 2 rear shock selection

[Adams97Mark]

Hey anyone know what rear shock brand would be best on me 97 mark viii? I will be using the 97 T-Bird part in place of more expensive mark viii O.E Motorcraft. The choices are KYB, Monroe Sesatrac, Gabriel, and Motorcraft which were O.E for the T-Bird. I don't want the Bilsteins or Koni brand due to cost factor.

 

[jbelcourt]

I have Monroe Sensa-Tracs up front and rear on my 93, for a 96 thunderbird. Rock Auto has them on wholesale and they are extremely cheap. Like $13 each if I remember correctly. They're working out fine for me.

 

[93mkviii]

Sensa-trac if you want a soft ride. Motorcraft units are re branded sensa-tracs unless you find the OEM motorcraft units which are 300+. KYB will give you a slightly more firm ride than the sensa-tracs but beware none of these replacements will ride as nice as stock units even if they are old. Gabriel will ride slightly worse than all the above units so I would stay away unless they changed their shocks.

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

I was pretty happy with the Sensa-tracs on the 97 I had. I ran them for about 4 years, and thought they were great for a daily driver. Very "spirited" driving too...

Let me know if you want to get some shock mounts.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?90879-Stainless-Steel-Rear-Shock-Mounts-and-Poly-Bushings&highlight=stainless+shock+mounts

 

[achesonm8]

I was pretty happy with the Sensa-tracs on the 97 I had. I ran them for about 4 years, and thought they were great for a daily driver. Very "spirited" driving too...

Let me know if you want to get some shock mounts.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?90879-Stainless-Steel-Rear-Shock-Mounts-and-Poly-Bushings&highlight=stainless+shock+mounts

+1 Jay helped me install new Sensa-trac shocks and his shock mounts...I have had no problems and enjoy the new ride!

 

[Lownslowlsc]

I've had sensatracs on the rear of my lowered setup for 3 years now and they do a decent job. Whatever you do don't get the cheap monroes. I put on a set when I first bought the car and they were done for 1 year later. I don't have any experience with the others listed.

You can get them @ advanced auto with code trt30 w/store pickup for $46.19+ tax or from RA for $51 shipped if you don't mind waiting.

 

[97 Octane]

Mine is lowered so I use a different SensaTrac part number to accommodate shorter compression length.

 

[opalescent 96]

Mine is lowered so I use a different SensaTrac part number to accommodate shorter compression length.

Interesting... Do they have a different shock for the front too for lowered applications? Do you happen to have the part numbers?

 

[97 Octane]

For the rears, I'm using SensaTrac 5950ST.

It's very much like Oem, extended length and all, but it has shorter compression length so a lowered M8 never bottoms out on its shocks.

Oh yeah, ride Q is mild to comfortably firm for a spirited driving experience.