1968 Plymouth GTX

['68 Coronet R/T]

Thought I would try Gabriel Shock Absorbers since they claimed to be reproductions of the originals.
Arrived today and although the boxes all looked the same, the front shocks were made in China and the rear shocks were made in Mexico.

The quality and even the color are quite different.

So I tried generating a return only to be told I had to wait until I receive my item.
Called customer service and after sitting on hold for 20 minutes listening to crummy music, my phone beeps and a message "call failed" appeared.

Needless to say I am less than happy with Parts Geek at that moment and would strongly advise others to beware.

UPDATE: Was finally able to get an RMA number so I could package those shocks and send them back. Dropped them off a UPS this morning so we'll see when and if I get my money back. Cost me $22 to ship them back so I'll probably lose a few dollars in the return process.

 

[Pistol Pete]

Bilsteins for the win. I've suffered through enough Monroes, Gabriels and KYB's to last a lifetime.

 

[69B7RR]

I’m not an expert on any of this stuff, but as mentioned by dadsbee, this is what I used on my ‘69. Supposedly made in the USA, but were purchased back in 2020. I painted them black as factory. As far as handling, can’t tell u. Still a work in progress.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

While the Bilstein shocks are appealing, I find the price hard to deal with. I have so many other things I still need to buy that putting almost $600 into shock absorbers just doesn't sit well.

When I search for 1968 Plymouth GTX shock absorbers, many of the sites come up blank. I would assume that a '68 Belvedere or maybe Satellite would be the same correct?

 

[1 Wild R/T]

While the Bilstein shocks are appealing, I find the price hard to deal with. I have so many other things I still need to buy that putting almost $600 into shock absorbers just doesn't sit well.

When I search for 1968 Plymouth GTX shock absorbers, many of the sites come up blank. I would assume that a '68 Belvedere or maybe Satellite would be the same correct?

I 100% get it.... I've run lots of basic gas shocks, Monroe's, Gabriel's, Sach's, & KTB's... Of those the Monroe's are the best...

I always knew there were better shocks out there but I have other place's to spend money... Then after having driven my Green R/T vert close to 75K miles I decided to splurge & bought a set of Bilstein's for it...

The difference was an eye opener, much better ride, greatly improved cornering.... Totally worth it...

Buy the Monroe's, finish the car, enjoy the car, when you have some extra $$ buy a set, you won't be disappointed...

 

[gtx6970]

Ive had Gabriels, and Monroes

My car has OEM hyd shocks on it now and I like how it rides.
So bought 4 nos OEM shocks this past summer. for the day I need them

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

I ordered a set of Monroe shocks yesterday. They will need to be painted black but had good reviews.

 

[68BabyBlue]

I ordered a set of Monroe shocks yesterday. They will need to be painted black but had good reviews.

I've had them on my GTX for two years now, and have no complaints. I'm also running bias ply tires, top flight handling wasn't a priority. Will use the money I saved to buy an OEM exhaust tip, if I ever find one.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Bought an NOS trunk lock kit. Used the shortest lock shaft they had in the kit but it still looks long to me.
Thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Richard Cranium]

Bought an NOS trunk lock kit. Used the shortest lock shaft they had in the kit but it still looks long to me.
Thoughts or suggestions?
View attachment 1788053

Cut and bevel the shaft or reuse your old one.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Cut and bevel the shaft or reuse your old one.

I can't find my old one for some reason. I would have used it if I could.

How much of the shaft should be sticking out?

 

[Richard Cranium]

I can't find my old one for some reason. I would have used it if I could.

How much of the shaft should be sticking out?

Just barely passed the lock.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Just barely passed the lock.

Yup, 1/4" max...

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Thanks guys.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Here it is:

Hooked up my battery charger to the positive batter cable and tested my parking, tail and side marker lights. All lit up fine except for one rear side marker light and the trunk light.
Side marker light turned out to be a bad ground, so just tightened the nut a little more to fix that. The trunk light had a bad bulb so ordered a new one today.
Got the Monroe shock absorbers and just painted them black. Have the rear shock upper and lower bolts but haven't found the front bolts yet. More digging ahead. LOL

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Monroe shocks painted and installed:

Front shocks are in as well, plus new positive battery cable.

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Are there any secrets or tips for installing the rocker panel moldings?
My thoughts are to install the plastic clips on the car, then the metal spring for the fender on to the molding.
Then fit the bottoms of the clips into the molding and then lift slightly and snap the top portion into place?

Or do you fit the top into place and then snap the bottom section on?

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Okay, so got the left side installed but not 100% happy with it.

The front is where the issue is and I have spent a lot of time to get it this close:

I loosened the bolts fastening the lower fender to the frame and put some shims one the front bolt area. It did help a lot but I still have the gap you see.
The clip is as tight as I can get it.

 

[68gtxman]

Monroe shocks painted and installed:
View attachment 1790759

Front shocks are in as well, plus new positive battery cable.

View attachment 1790761

Your starter relay is missing the little plastic shield on top. But, it’s looking great and coming along nicely!

 

['68 Coronet R/T]

Your starter relay is missing the little plastic shield on top. But, it’s looking great and coming along nicely!
View attachment 1793516View attachment 1793517

Thanks, I will take a look to see if I have it.

Okay, I checked my pictures of the car's wiring before I removed anything and it wasn't there when I got the car. Guess I will need to find one.