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.

View attachment 57143

View attachment 57144

View attachment 57145

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!

 

[Duke5A]

I'm not trying to dog you, but you did ask for opinions and I am an aggressively opinionated individual, so......

I do the same thing. There are 'upgrades' on my car that my current self would talk my past self out of. At $650 tubular upper control arms would be one. I had already replaced the bushings and ball joints in the factory arms too. It was a silly thing to do, but ooooh shiny! D60 is another one. The axle shop tried to talk me into just redoing some things on my 8.75", but nOoOoOo, I just had to dump $1k+ into a D60 conversion that the car didn't need.

I get the itch though to want to keep tinkering. If I didn't have the truck to scratch said itch I'd still be doing things to the car. Problem with the car is I've reached a point where all the low hanging fruit has been picked and it only leaves expensive stuff.

Now, the poly setup, since you brought it up again...lol. Those pads introduce deflection in the rear suspension, but you're running drag radials for traction. It's why I tried to talk you out of it, both of these things are at odds with one another. If you're worried about ride quality then double adjustable shocks are what lets you have your cake and eat it too. If you use a B body mounting setup there are multiple options that will fit.

I hear you on the 1" rear bar. I added a 1.25" FF to the front due to it being nose heavy with the big block and gained the nimbleness back that I had when it was still a 360. I really want a larger rear bar for the car, but FF is asking $800 now. Eventually I'll get to it.

We have to meet up again. I haven't seen your car since you did the W2 stroker build. That thing must be an absolute animal.

 

[AMC Diplomat]

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!

I will say that if I ever come across a second set for the same price I paid the last time, then I'd sell them for what they cost me.

I'm elbow deep into an engine build so I get the whole "if I do it this way, then it's technically better" thought process. Problem is if I don't step away from that mentality, then I'll have spent more than what a crate motor costs.