Seeking Recommendations for Heavy Duty Front Shocks

[TomO]

I would like some recommendations for heavy duty front shocks for my '89 Merc. Grand Marquis. It has the "towing option" (aka handling package), which, I believe, means that it has stiffer than stock springs.

Here's what I want: a very firm shock that doesn't have any "bounce" and one that is durable and long-lasting, and one that is fairly standard and not expensive (i.e. -- a stock heavy duty shock from one of the well known manufacturers such as Monroe, Gabriel, etc.) I don't want, and will not buy, an expensive "boutique" shock or something that is designed for a different vehicle.

I've owned the car for about 3 years. I have not replaced the rear shocks and have no idea how old they are or what type they are. They perform phenomenally -- they have absolutely no bounce at all.

On the other hand, the front shocks were blown out when I bought the car and I had my local tire dealer replace them with what they said were "heavy duty" shocks. I don't remember now what brand they are. They've been on the car now for about 50,000 miles and more than two years.

I've noticed that they seem to have a bit more "bounce" than what I want. For example, when I go over a slight rise in the roadway the front end will "porpoise" a bit, but the back end recovers immediately and has no bounce what-so-ever.

So, my thinking is that, either: 1) the front shocks are worn out; or 2) the front shocks are not adequate for the performance I'm seeking from them.

Thanks for your help.

[86VickyLX]

What year Grand Marquis? Your shocks are bad. Replace them. If you can bounce the front end and it take more than 2 bounces to stop moving, your shocks are dead.

[1990LTD]

KYB GR-2 (or gas-a-just) shocks for a police interceptor.

[cld783]

the newer motorcraft police ones i've had are pretty damn stiff.. it barely gives at all when you try to bounce the front end by hand.

totally got rid of that floaty boat feel.

[gadget73]

yeah, stock Motorcraft shocks for a 98-02 police car, or the KYB shocks mentioned above will do the job. The Gas-A-Just shocks are stiffer than the GR2. Both should be available for police and non-police models. Police models will be stiffer. If they don't ask when you order them, tell them its for an 89 Crown Vic.

[TomO]

Thanks for your input and advice, guys.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, the Motorcraft shocks for the '98-'02 PI will fit my '89?

Or, if I want to go with the KYB, then they will be specifically for the '89 year model?

What are the best stores -- price wise -- to get either of those particular shocks? I prefer to just walk in to a store rather than having them shipped. For example, can you get Motorcraft shocks from any place other than a dealer, or can you get them from, say, Autozone or O'Reilly's etc.? And, which stores carry the KYB's?

Thanks.

[TomO]

What year Grand Marquis? Your shocks are bad. Replace them. If you can bounce the front end and it take more than 2 bounces to stop moving, your shocks are dead.

It's an '89 with the towing option, which -- I think -- has a suspension very similar to a police package, but maybe not exactly.

[cld783]

i got the 98-02 police ones on rockauto..

[1987cp]

If you have worn-out original shocks, even $20 Gabriel Ultras are a huge improvement, and for street use they work OK even with 700 lb/in police coils.

What springs actually went on towing packages cars, anyway?

[91waggin]

I dunno who carries the KYBs other than rockauto.com, but their prices are very reasonable and their customer service is very good. I had fantastic results with KYB GR-2 police valved shocks. Others love their KYB gas-a-justs.

When we're talking about police-valved shocks, the only difference between those and civilian shocks is the internal valving. Physically they are identical.

The only thing I would make sure of is that you don't have the air-assisted self-leveling suspension, that may have come with your towing package. If you do, you might need special shocks. Someone more knowledgeable than I can answer that question, since I'm not familiar with the self-leveling suspension.

[TomO]

The only thing I would make sure of is that you don't have the air-assisted self-leveling suspension, that may have come with your towing package. If you do, you might need special shocks. Someone more knowledgeable than I can answer that question, since I'm not familiar with the self-leveling suspension.

My car does have the air-assist rear shocks -- but they work fantastically, so I don't want to replace those. I just want to replace the fronts. The rear shocks were on the car when I bought it, so I don't know how old they are. I do know that they work great -- you can't get the rear of the car to bounce AT ALL. You push down and it comes back up and stops dead.

The front, on the other hand, is a different story. You can tell that there is some heavy dampening going on, but you can still get the front end to bounce up and down by pushing on it.

[TomO]

If you have worn-out original shocks, even $20 Gabriel Ultras are a huge improvement, and for street use they work OK even with 700 lb/in police coils.

What springs actually went on towing packages cars, anyway?

Gabriel Ultras -- now that you mention it, I believe that's the shock that the tire store put on the front of my car a couple of years ago. They were definitely an improvement over the blown out shocks that were on the car at the time, but I've realized that they just don't have as much dampening (i.e. "firmness") as I would like.

I don't know what springs the towing option has, but I believe I read a thread about it somewhere on this site. If I recall correctly, the towing springs are not the same as the police springs, but they are stiffer than stock. The towing option came with front and rear sway bars and I believe the front was heavier than the stock bar, but I don't know for sure.

[1987cp]

"Stock" could have been 390#, 440#, or 700# that I know of. And it doesn't necessarily go like one would expect - allegedly wagons tended to get 440# front coils, but mine had 390s when I got it. Fortunately, it's easy to measure your spring to verify what you've got.

[91waggin]

My car does have the air-assist rear shocks -- but they work fantastically, so I don't want to replace those. I just want to replace the fronts. The rear shocks were on the car when I bought it, so I don't know how old they are. I do know that they work great -- you can't get the rear of the car to bounce AT ALL. You push down and it comes back up and stops dead.

The front, on the other hand, is a different story. You can tell that there is some heavy dampening going on, but you can still get the front end to bounce up and down by pushing on it.

My recommendations for front shocks:
Stiffer police valving:
*KYB #344081 ($21.79 apiece at rockauto) These are the GR-2's, which is the middle of the road option from KYB. I have them, I think they're fantastic.
*KYB #KG5458 ($40.99 apiece at rockauto) These are the gas-a-justs, which a lot of people around here just love. They're the high end option from KYB

Original civilian valving:
*KYB #343128 (GR-2's--$21.79 apiece at rockauto)
*KYB #4515 (gas-a-justs--$36.79 apiece at rockauto)

[1980c10]

I had the kyb gas a justs on one of my old crown vics and really liked them.