Just installed a set of repro spiral shocks. The fronts went in just fine....no problem...
The rear one's went in ok, but I noticed that they didn't extend far past the mounting hole on the lower shock plate that's mounted to the leaf-spring. The rear of the car was raised by placing the jack underneath the lower plate, which keeps the weight on the springs.
Has anyone else had the same "problem"???
:confused: :(

If you are saying the shock is too short when the body is supported and the rearend is allowed to fully extend the suspension. That is normal by my experiences.

since you raised it by the mounting plate, not by the body, and kept the weight of the body on the springs, i think your shocks may be too short.

possibly you got a set of shocks spec'd for monoleaf springs. they are shorter by about 2".

if you raise the car by the body, with the weight off the springs, it is okay to be short a bit, as DjD said.

try removing them and raising by the body, and see if they are truly too short. usually they will come within an inch of the mount.

Ohscott...that's a good thought though, but my car has a 5-leaf spring, unlike the Z28's which have four....don't ask me why......
The mono-leaf shock is totally different at the spring plate. It has a "hole through the rubber", rather than the mounting stud that is on the multi's......
Maybe there's a difference between 4 & 5 leaf shocks???? It doesn't figure though....can't be that much difference....

sorry, i didn't know that about the shocks mounting differently. thanks.

it does sound like they're too short tho'.
every shock i've ever put on anything which was resting on it's springs i had to push up several inches to line up. and if i raised it by the body, i'd have to push the axle up about 3/4".

alot of aftermarket springs will raise the car up an inch or two above stock, but the shocks still have at least a few inches to go.
the manufacturer must've screwed up. i would get in contact with them.
i'll look around for a chart on stock shock lengths. i remember seeing one once.

the only chart i could find listed 67-69 camaro/firebird as 12.25" compressed, 19" extended. this was also for 62-67 nova.

they listed 68-79 nova as 13.5" compressed, 21" extended.

i should think your shocks should fall in there pretty close. from what you are describing, either your rearend is really high, or your shocks only extend to about 16"

ride height specs for your car with stock 14" wheels and tires is probably right around 8.1" from floor to rocker panel, measured 20" forward from rear wheel centerline. that's what the firebird's is.
stock tires are probably about 24.5-25" diameter. (F70s)
factor in half the difference of your tire's diameter from stock, and still give yourself a couple inches leeway on the ride height.

Ohcscott....thanks alot!!!! Real good info...I appreciate the help!! I'm going to call D&R on Monday....

Hey let us know what happens, I was going to get a set of those repo's for my 67 mono leaf setup. Sincerely Steve