Shock confusion

[young51]

I've searched for a bit and am still unclear on the shocks to use on my 57' Ranch wagon.  For fronts I've seen 2 kyb's, 343127'standard" and kg-4515 "performance".  I want to do the longer 56' rear shock mod but don't find a part number listed for KYB for the year, either 56' or 57'.  I've seen a kyb343131 and kyb343171 on rockauto, has anyone here used these on the rear?  I've seen both Gabriel and Monroe rear listings but no fronts.  Can anyone recommend a matched set front & rear of either the kyb, gabriel, monroe, bilstein or any other decent brand?  Sorry for the confusion but my local parts places are no help at all.
thanks

[gasman826]

1st gen F body rear shocks fit the rear of your Ranch Wagon.  I was really pleased with adjustable QA1.

[young51]

gasman826, you mean 67'-68' Camaro/Firebird cars?  Do they have the longer extension like the "56" shocks?

[hiball3985]

I don't think the 56 type shock can be used on 57 wagon/ranchero, the top mount is different then the passenger car.

[gasman826]

The F body shock is the same length as the original shock and will not help with tire removal.  The Raunch Wagon had rear disc brake conversion and this resolved the tire removal issue.  The 10"+ wide tires went on and off with no problem.

[young51]

Any other matched pairs front and rear to recommend?  This is for a stocker, 6 cylinder, not even lowered.
thanks

[abe_lugo]

If I read correctly '56 Shocks are slightly longer allowing for the rear to drop more. But you need a KYB version. # KG5517  compressed 10.91", ext 17.87" This came up on the KYB site. the length seems to be the same as the  the Gabriel 84270 10.56/17.67

[young51]

thanks, I also saw a kyb 343171 that goes 20.28 and 12.01 which I think is close to the longer 56' socks from garbriel and monroe.

[abe_lugo]

That seems more inline, I found those on the 56 wagon within Rockauto also looked at the KYB site, they seem to go back that far on their search.  BTW there is old post it states that you made bottom out even with the taller shock, millage may vary and wear on the upper mounts. 

It like to know how it works out for you? is your car stock height?

[hiball3985]

#KG5517 won't work on your wagon, wrong upper mounts. Wagons/rancheros aren't like passenger car.

[abe_lugo]

Hi all thanks for that info.  Surely it will others.