shocks yes or no.

[1930artdeco]

Hi All,

This will be my first question on the forum. I t more than like will be dumb but hey I am just curious. When I was at the National show, I noticed that none of the AA's had shocks. I have three possible answers I just need to know which one is correct.

1) They are scarce as hens teeth like they are for the cars.
2) They never did come with them
3) They would not work on the truck as the springs are to stiff. I.E. You need a heavy load in the bed to smooth out the ride.

Mike

[Chris Haynes]

The only AAs that had shocks were the funeral and ambulance models in '30/'31. Front shocks only. Yes they are rare as hens teeth.

[BrianT]

Hello Mike and welcome,
#1 Yes they are scarce, finding shocks that can be restored would be about 4-5 out of 20, repair kits are available, and new shocks are also available on a limited basis.
#2 The 28-29 AAs came from the factory with front shocks only, they used a smaller spring for those years, most were never replaced and were taken off, would not do much good in the rear with the heavy springs.
The funeral and ambulance chassis had longer and fewer spring leaves in the rear which were much softer and I believe shocks front and rear.

[bud valerius]

Front shocks on 28 AA's Neil can verify the dates & when the stopped installing them , they require a special spring perch with the ball to attach them

[Stakebed]

My march of 29 had them. one must have died long ago as it was disconnected and tied with bailing wire to the frame rail. other was still connected but frozen as can be.

id imagine they were taken off the AA's when they went to the wider front spring in 30.

[1crosscut]

Keep in mind that you will need to find the longer shock arm for the AA's. The arms for the cars are too short.
I've seen shocks on the AA's until mid 29 ish.
Dave

[gunmetal 2]

My 29 8-30-29 still had front shocks.

[bud valerius]

All 28/29 AA's with the narrow front spring would have shocks , when they changed to the bigger axle and spring they no longer had shocks

[ModelAkid]

According to the original parts manual, all Model A's & AA's used the same shock absorbers except the special 1931 models with rear shocks.
The front 28-29 shocks did have special arms but the shocks were same as cars.
I have a bunch of used shock absorbers in various conditions for sale. If anyone needs some shoot me an email. I do not have any of the 1931 AA rear shocks.

[spectria]

According to the original parts manual, all Model A's & AA's used the same shock absorbers except the special 1931 models with rear shocks.
The front 28-29 shocks did have special arms but the shocks were same as cars.
I have a bunch of used shock absorbers in various conditions for sale. If anyone needs some shoot me an email. I do not have any of the 1931 AA rear shocks.

Thanks Curt for that detail on the AA shocks.
BTW, where can I get the "original" parts book, apparently what I have is insufficient... I'd really like a digital version as well as hard copy.
Thanks

[drtrcrV-8]

How much different in length are the AA shock arms than the A arms?

[flatford39]

How much different in length are the AA shock arms than the A arms?

My 28 AA came with front shocks. I just went out and measured the arms. They are 6.5 inches from center of ball to center of hole.

They are different from passenger cars. The rears for a passenger car are 7" center to center if I remember. Not sure if you could make those work or not.

Keep in mind that the spring perch on a 28 29 AA is different than a 28 29 passenger car. The ball for the shock sits up a little higher than the car. These are pretty hard to find as well. They will have an AA forged on them so they are pretty easy to identify.

[drtrcrV-8]

Thank you flatford ; now I have a number to work with.

[ModelAkid]

BTW, where can I get the "original" parts book, apparently what I have is insufficient... I'd really like a digital version as well as hard copy.
Thanks[/quote]

Brattons sells reprints of the July 1, 1931 "Model A & AA Parts Price List" which is the book I use. In the 2014 catalog it's on p. 159. You might also find this on ebay. It is called "Price List" but it is the parts catalog with all part numbers and many illustrations.

[BrianT]

Thank you flatford ; now I have a number to work with.

If you do a search here for shock arms you will find a pic that Neal Wilson posted showing all three versions, all 3 versions will work.
Regards Brian.