Progress Report on the ’63 T-Bird (Video)

Seems like we spend a fair amount of time just waiting on parts to arrive. Some parts are generic in nature as they were used across many years and models. They can be picked up at the local parts store. Others are Thunderbird specific and they've got to come from the specialty suppliers.

And then there are parts, like shock absorbers, that you wouldn't think would be all that special. Turns out the front shocks were a one year only deal. Everything before and after 1963 is completely different. What the parts houses sell for a '63 won't fit at all. After some research we found a shock  (KYB 31125) for a different application that will bolt-on and work with only a minor modification.

The rears were a similar story. What's currently sold as a replacement will physically bolt on but we determined it doesn't have the proper travel - about 2-3" too short. So we find something longer (Monroe 31125) that was actually used on 1955-1960 T-Birds.