Suspension questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rc 415 · 02-01-2007, 10:13 PM

Hey I have a question about the shocks, When I lower my truck (83' Stepper), how low can I go before the stock shocks are no longer useable? I see the western chassis kits come with Doetsch Tech Nitro Slammer Shocks, and I was wondering how diffrent they are from the stock ones I have on currently? I want a 5/7 drop. also, how much of a ride diffrence is it with and without these shocks?

jimmydean · 02-02-2007, 11:19 AM

My front shocks are stock length and my rears are 3" shorter, but I think I could have gotten away with stock there too. I have relocators in the back, but the front uses shock mounting.

My truck is bagged.

Rc 415 · 02-02-2007, 06:53 PM

So could I get away with the stock shocks?

70Longhorn · 02-02-2007, 07:07 PM

If you haven't moved the bump stops, then you don't *need* different length shocks.

Rc 415 · 02-04-2007, 06:38 PM

What are the bump stops? lol

IvelDesigns · 02-04-2007, 09:04 PM

they are the big rubber things on the side of the frame (in the rear) that prevent your axle from hitting your framerails.

Rc 415 · 02-04-2007, 11:01 PM

Oh yeah, those will be long gone with the C notch that comes with the 7" drops...

SCOTI · 02-04-2007, 11:56 PM

For 73-87's w/a 7" static drop in the rear (flip kit + drop shackles), if you want off the shelf type shocks use the front shock for a 73-87 4wd truck. It gives the correct overall extended/compressed/ride-height dimensions required. You will need to drive out the steel insert in the bottom eye of the shock, otherwise they will bolt right in.

Rc 415 · 02-07-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

For 73-87's w/a 7" static drop in the rear (flip kit + drop shackles), if you want off the shelf type shocks use the front shock for a 73-87 4wd truck. It gives the correct overall extended/compressed/ride-height dimensions required. You will need to drive out the steel insert in the bottom eye of the shock, otherwise they will bolt right in.

If I'm understanding this correctly, you are saying that I should go find a 4x4 that someone is parting out and get the front shoks off it for the back on mine? What do I do as far as the front shocks after the front is dropped ~5"?

SCOTI · 02-08-2007, 12:03 AM

On 73-87's, there is enough 'meat' on the frame rail to mount a shock bracket in a higher position than stock.

The first pic is a shock bracket available through ART. The other 2 pics are a home fabbed bracket mounted on a 1974 frame that allowed the use of the stock length shocks & still maintain optimum shock travel.

02-01-2007, 10:13 PM	#1
Rc 415 Flat Black, & Chrome! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 852	Suspension questions Hey I have a question about the shocks, When I lower my truck (83' Stepper), how low can I go before the stock shocks are no longer useable? I see the western chassis kits come with Doetsch Tech Nitro Slammer Shocks, and I was wondering how diffrent they are from the stock ones I have on currently? I want a 5/7 drop. also, how much of a ride diffrence is it with and without these shocks? __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 Stepside Sold http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/rc_415/ Last edited by Rc 415; 02-01-2007 at 11:17 PM.

02-02-2007, 11:19 AM	#2
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Suspension questions My front shocks are stock length and my rears are 3" shorter, but I think I could have gotten away with stock there too. I have relocators in the back, but the front uses shock mounting. My truck is bagged. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

02-02-2007, 06:53 PM	#3
Rc 415 Flat Black, & Chrome! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 852	Re: Suspension questions So could I get away with the stock shocks? __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 Stepside Sold http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/rc_415/ Last edited by Rc 415; 02-02-2007 at 06:53 PM.

02-02-2007, 07:07 PM	#4
70Longhorn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 12	Re: Suspension questions If you haven't moved the bump stops, then you don't need different length shocks.

02-04-2007, 06:38 PM	#5
Rc 415 Flat Black, & Chrome! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 852	Re: Suspension questions What are the bump stops? lol __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 Stepside Sold http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/rc_415/

02-04-2007, 09:04 PM	#6
IvelDesigns Commander Taco Bello Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,232	Re: Suspension questions they are the big rubber things on the side of the frame (in the rear) that prevent your axle from hitting your framerails. __________________ Bagged '50 3600 - Bumper punchin' road kill since 2009... Bagged '69 C10 Longbed - Bumper punchin' road kill since 2007...

02-04-2007, 11:01 PM	#7
Rc 415 Flat Black, & Chrome! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 852	Re: Suspension questions Oh yeah, those will be long gone with the C notch that comes with the 7" drops... __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 Stepside Sold http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/rc_415/

02-04-2007, 11:56 PM	#8
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Re: Suspension questions For 73-87's w/a 7" static drop in the rear (flip kit + drop shackles), if you want off the shelf type shocks use the *front* shock for a 73-87 4wd truck. It gives the correct overall extended/compressed/ride-height dimensions required. You will need to drive out the steel insert in the bottom eye of the shock, otherwise they will bolt right in. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-08-2007, 12:03 AM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,066	Re: Suspension questions On 73-87's, there is enough 'meat' on the frame rail to mount a shock bracket in a higher position than stock. The first pic is a shock bracket available through ART. The other 2 pics are a home fabbed bracket mounted on a 1974 frame that allowed the use of the stock length shocks & still maintain optimum shock travel. Attached Images __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*



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