NOS shocks yes or no?

[usraptr]

I have an opportunity to buy some NOS front and rear nitrogen gas shocks for my 70 'Cuda at a reasonable price. Chrysler part number P4452127 & P4452124.  My 'Cuda is a numbers matching 440, 4-speed, dana 60 4.10 rear.  I'm trying to use as many original, NOS parts as possible in the restoration.  It's going to be a driver- car shows/ cruise nights, Sunday drives, etc.  Not a track car.  I have two questions re these shocks.  1. Considering they are 44 year old NOS what's the odds/chances they have gone bad?  Seals, etc?  2.  Has shock technology changed/advanced so much in 44 years I'd be better off buying new shocks/technology and just painting them black.  Thanks for any advice/input.

[Chryco Psycho]

no clue on wether they are bad from sitting 44 years but definatly shock tech has changed a lot in 44 years , not a fan of KYB , too hard but lots to choose from

[Ravage]

For my 

When I put new shocks on my 'Cuda it still seemed a bit weak. Perhaps my leaf springs were too tired out but I didn't have the money to get them swapped out at the time. I bought these nifty little coil over jobbies http://www.amazon.com/Superior-14-0490-Control-Springs-Absorbers/dp/B00029K3HE  Stiffen up the rear like air shocks without sucking like air shocks. Gets her butt in the air for a nicer stance.

[Katfish]

I wouldn't trust 44yr old shocks, unless you don't plan on driving the car.  You can get high quality replacements for probably a fraction of the cost of the NOS parts.

[dodj]

I wouldn't trust 44yr old shocks, unless you don't plan on driving the car.  You can get high quality replacements for probably a fraction of the cost of the NOS parts.

IMO, new shocks are the way to go. Even if they are fully functional, (nos) they will be a poor shock compared to today's offerings.

[dfrazz]

   I appreciate when someone is trying to keep a car as original as possible, but somethings are just better to upgrade and shocks are one of them.

[dutch]

stay away from old shocks.... been there ,done that.      too important to take any chances with 

[ChallengerHK]

Agreed with everyone else on new shocks. If you're planning a 100 point restoration that you will never drive, old shocks are fine. If you want a car that will be judged in competitions of any type, buy the NOS but only put them on for shows.

[HP2]

I have an opportunity to buy some NOS front and rear nitrogen gas shocks for my 70 'Cuda at a reasonable price. Chrysler part number P4452127 & P4452124. 

Seing that nitrogen gas shocks didn't become widely available until the early 80s, these aren't NOS as in 44 year old original equipment that came from the factory.  The P prefix also means they were offered through the Direct Connection/Mopar Performance channels which again suggests they are not OEM installed. As a matter of fact, those exact part numbers are listed in the 2002 Performance Parts catalog. So these may be old stock shocks, but not in the sense you think they are.

If you are picking them up for like $5-10 each, and you have the original suspension under your car, they may be worth the risk, if the expansion retention straps are still on them. If they have been sitting topped out, I wouldn't mess with them.

FWIW, I seem to recall that the P number gas shocks were rebranded Gabriels. The P numbered race shocks were rebranded Carreras. So you can probably still pick up similar or even exact copies of these in nitrogen charged versions at your local parts store for $25 each. Use that to gauge the value of what a potentially 30 year old shock is worth.

[73EStroker]

 I thought gas shocks were not around then. They would have been most likely double acting hydraulic. Gotta hate those 3 letters NOS now. So much fake stuff around after over 40 years. Buy new and paint em

[anlauto]

Well...I'm not sure what you gain by using the wrong front shocks  They may be NOS but that doesn't make them correct for your car Wrong part numbers won't mean a thing to any judge, just another pair of old shocks.

[usraptr]

Thanks for the replys and advice.  I'm gonna pass on these and buy new.