I have located a dealer with a lot of (Several 1000) vintage Gabriel shocks with an ...interesting a$king figure!
What part#s would be smart to look for?
Thanks
John
I have never seen the Gabriel part numbers, however Gabriel shocks that look like their original Ford counterparts were sold under the name "Strider" and "Red Rider"
The main thing would be to look for Mustang specific shocks that look like the original shocks they made for Ford.
It's unlikely you will find the Ford versions.
(http://www.thecoralsnake.com/69shocks.JPG)
Mid to late 70's, I put myself thru college selling auto parts. Gabriel were the main shocks we sold. They were good products. The Striders and Red Riders both. But these were non-Ford, Aftermarket shocks. I don't think in my 4+ years of selling them, we ever had one returned due to a failure.
Adjustable E shocks for the Mustang are very good too.
Quote from: Coralsnake on March 28, 2022, 09:49:58 AM
I have never seen the Gabriel part numbers, however Gabriel shocks that look like their original Ford counterparts were sold under the name "Strider" and "Red Rider"
The main thing would be to look for Mustang specific shocks that look like the original shocks they made for Ford.
It's unlikely you will find the Ford versions.
They have a lot of Striders! Do not think they have any Ford versions.
Thanks
John
Quote from: gt350hr on March 28, 2022, 11:26:19 AM
Adjustable E shocks for the Mustang are very good too.
Never heard about them! Any pics or part#s?
Thanks
John
Gabriel was the original manufacturer of many Ford shocks
Their aftermarket lines carried similar looking shocks, but they could not sell the Autolite versions.
Quote from: Coralsnake on March 28, 2022, 12:04:04 PM
Gabriel was the original manufacturer of many Ford shocks
Their aftermarket lines carried similar looking shocks, but they could not sell the Autolite versions.
+1... even some early Mustangs had a 'G' insignia on the front shocks, along with the normal Ford engineering number/date.
I have these rears as spares..if pics dont show I cN PM someone to post.
Quote from: Jbarela on July 25, 2022, 06:34:09 PM
I have these rears as spares..if pics dont show I cN PM someone to post.
With those date codes the adjustable Ford shocks would typically be painted a Blue. At least on all of the original Shelby examples that I have seen where they came standard. The lighter Ford engine blue is a very close match.
here is a blue Gabriel take from a 66 350H
regards
PHILL BERESFORD
MELBOURNE.
AUSTRALIA.
Here is a good example of a original early unrestored 66 GT350 shock .The lighter Ford blue engine color is very close.
From my experience the color used for the blue in 66 appears to vary a bit not sure if this is connected to batches (dates) or day to day and remember that pictures on the internet or from cameras can differ allot based on settings, lighting as other things. Exposure of one set verses is another reason for the differences in tint
Likely have a few dozen examples in pictures from that many cars
Here are a couple of examples of original paint front examples. Believe these two were slightly different colors though they look very different in the pictures
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/11/6-270119161931.jpeg)
And I had some original color (after I removed the top layer of exposed paint) match. Same color two different lighting shots
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722233223-177481901.jpeg)
Quote from: JohnB on March 28, 2022, 09:38:06 AM
I have located a dealer with a lot of (Several 1000) vintage Gabriel shocks with an ...interesting a$king figure!
What part#s would be smart to look for?
John the challenge with what you have found is that the over the counter adjustable Gabriels went through at least 4-5 different changes including shape, washer size, markings and other details. If we provided a number then you would need to examine and compare to see how far off the what you found is from what the original your looking for was like. As for numbers you can make them out on many of the examples I posted below
As part of these changes the shocks were made in three (at least) different countries as I understand it. US, Mexico and Canada
Here are a number of examples (pictures) I have of the different variations and in some cases part numbers being used during those periods
Believe this is a Stryder. Notice the much smaller (than for out shocks) upper washer on this example of a front shock
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234928-177501912.jpeg)
Stryders
Gabriel Adjustable "E" shocks
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234935-177522258.jpeg)
Styders Computer Tuned next to a 66 version. Easy to see just some of the differences
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234935-17752793.jpeg)
And a pair of rears
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234924-177492224.jpeg)
Gabriel stamped large on the main body of cover
Front
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234938-177541906.jpeg)
Rear
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234940-177551528.jpeg)
Red Ryder with large Gabriel
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234941-17756648.jpeg)
And another version originally painted red so might be another Red Ryder with a slightly different set of markings
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/17/6-260722234929-177511575.jpeg)
Ford was still using adjustable Gabriel striders into the late seventies. Here's a couple of pics of one of my 1978 king Cobra ones. I thought I read somewhere that they can be rebuilt. Does anyone know if this is true?
Roy
Quote from: TA Coupe on July 27, 2022, 04:26:32 PM
Forward was still using adjustable Gabriel striders into the late seventies. Here's a couple of pics of one of my 1978 king Cobra ones. I thought I read somewhere that they can be rebuilt. Does anyone know if this is true?
Roy
Ebay seller Dan Patch used to . He is the only one currently offering that service who adv on ebay
Thanks Bob!!
Roy
Found him Bob:
https://dansshocks.com/spiral-shocks/
Roy
Hopefully it's a typo:
"I can also rebuild your Mustang shocks $275.00 each $3250.00 each for the Shelby adjustable"
https://dansshocks.com/mustang-shelby-and-boss/ (https://dansshocks.com/mustang-shelby-and-boss/)
Quote from: TA Coupe on July 27, 2022, 09:33:35 PM
Found him Bob:
https://dansshocks.com/spiral-shocks/
Roy
just got a set from Dan for my 69 GT350.......had to wait 14 months......he only works a couple days a week now.........they look great but trust they look orig as my current ones are aftermarket