Too expensive, or "that's the going rate these days"???

[M_Body_Coupe]

Folks,

I was able to find a pair of the FirmFeel rear spring mounts along with the shackles. These are in a somewhat rough shape (see attached pic), but sound enough that a quick trip to the sand blasting cabinet will bring them right back.

The seller is asking $200 CAD, so at the current exchange rate that's about $140 USD...way back when I would have LOL'ed that "ask", but today it feels like perhaps that's where prices have gone, and well, "if you wanna play you gotta pay", right?

For comparison purposes: the NEW ESPO shackle and poly bushing kit for this setup cost me $160 USD.

Needless to say: is this too high of an ask??? I just need a quick sanity check!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Duke5A]

All I see is rusty junk. Maybe I'm jaded, but what people ask for old parts now a days is just nuts. If you're keen on spending coin then just get HD Firm Feel shackle kit and use your existing mounts. The non-fleet mounts aren't exactly a point of weakness. I know the factory used the better mounts on AHB cars, but they also felt the need to add those useless reinforcement brackets between the bell housing and engine block.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

That's nuts. It's probably cheaper to convert a regular set of mounts into an AHB set at any spring shop. It's just a tube.

Those bushings are probably stuck in there and you'll have to burn them out.

I paid $100 US total for an axle, springs (the springs were broken to be fair) and all the AHB mounts and ISO brackets. The guy was honestly surprised someone wanted them.

They're rare but not valuable. Buy yourself a nice steak dinner instead.

 

[XfbodyX]

Yea it is nuts but then again look up mid 70-s cars like a Granada or Nova and its worse.

I do though applaud the F guys who actually spend the money to do a proper resto or close to it. So many junk rigs in the 20k plus area and a few pigs slip buy at over 30k but if folks start wanting 35 plus they need to be well built and well done and one of my pet peeves is jinkie ass wire harnesses in seemingly nice cars.

This was listed for nearly two years and finally sold and probably going to a nice resto project. IMO a 35k plus F should not have a single wire cut but thats just me.

I was gonna buy this at some point just for kicks but nos with a box should not look dusty and worn. Ive gotten some very nice perfect harnesses priced well from Martin (Arizona Parts) and even the east coast nos sellers slip up and list a perfect one cheap but ya just got to keep an eye open.

And for the anal pricks.... look at the assembly line fuses in that unit. Better then nos air in a tire.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

Yea it is nuts but then again look up mid 70-s cars like a Granada or Nova and its worse.

I do though applaud the F guys who actually spend the money to do a proper resto or close to it. So many junk rigs in the 20k plus area and a few pigs slip buy at over 30k but if folks start wanting 35 plus they need to be well built and well done and one of my pet peeves is jinkie ass wire harnesses in seemingly nice cars.

This was listed for nearly two years and finally sold and probably going to a nice resto project. IMO a 35k plus F should not have a single wire cut but thats just me.

I was gonna buy this at some point just for kicks but nos with a box should not look dusty and worn. Ive gotten some very nice perfect harnesses priced well from Martin (Arizona Parts) and even the east coast nos sellers slip up and list a perfect one cheap but ya just got to keep an eye open.

And for the anal pricks.... look at the assembly line fuses in that unit. Better then nos air in a tire.

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At the end of the day something is only worth what ever price 2 guys agree on.

If anyone tries hard enough and waits long enough they'll get what they want for the price they want.

Although for 700 dollars I'd just buy new wire and repin the connectors

 

[Ash_Whole]

wait, these are worth money?

 

[Oldiron440]

It’s only worth what you or someone else will pay for the privilege of owning them. But I’ve bought countless complete cars for that amount.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

wait, these are worth money?

View attachment 57148

In my opinion... are they worth much? No. Will I part with the set that I have? No.

 

[M_Body_Coupe]

In my opinion... are they worth much? No. Will I part with the set that I have? No.

This here is a great point!!

Look, in terms of that "sucker for punishment" perspective, the approach to making car changes that I have taken has always been about improving the factory setups, as opposed to flat-out replacing with a different technology.

Maybe that last part "different technology" is a bit harsh, but @Duke5A laughs at me (rightly so - from his perspective LOL, and I don't mind, having known Mark for a long time) for things like replacing the ISO rubber with POLY pads, etc., etc...as opposed to just re-configuring with the B-body style non-ISO setup, and yet I do it because there is a sense of accomplishment when a factory-like configuration provides much better outcome and perhaps even allows me to pursue additional improvements.

And so the HD shackle pursuit for me is no different in that respect.

You are probably all correct in terms of there being either no need to upgrade, or the aftermarket parts delivering equal level of performance in a typically configured ride (perhaps close to OEM civilian setup?). However, I will say that stuffing that massive MP 1" rear sway bar (moving from previous 3/4" configuration) provided a Day&Night kind of a difference in how the car handles. Now this wouldn't have come about had not all the other countless pieces been put in place as well, so as always it is about the whole combo!

Appreciate everyone's feedback on this, it all comes down to the old saying: beauty is in the eye of the beholder!