Crusher,

I have some bad news... The shock will bottom out when you hit big bumps. I'm guessing that you had to compress the shocks to bolt them in. Also, your car will be a low-rider. Don't ask me how I know...

What I did (which is fairly involved) is that I built a 1 inch cup to insert in the upper coil spring support. I installed a second rubber sandwich in the new machined cup. kinda like a lift kit. This brought up the rear end 3 inches, so now it sits right. Then I had to machine blocks for the bottom of the shocks, to be installed between the A-arm and the lower shock mounting holes. This lowered the shock a bit, preventing it from bottoming out. Not for the average DIY'er, as I needed my milling machine and lathe to make these parts.

Everything works fine now, but it's a challenge getting the shocks to line up when installing.

My advice... spend the money for the shocks and re-use your TD head with the pump.

__________________
Denis

1979 300TD 189,000 Miles, now running WVO with a home-made 2 tank conversion
1974 230 Gasser 189,000 Miles, For Sale
1961 VW Microbus 162,000 Miles
1961 Ford Fairlane 500, 53,900 original miles
1951 Oliver Super 55 Tractor
2002 Chocolate Lab