Newbie question - Are shocks that hard to find?

[Jimal]

Just purchased a '65 K10 short bed over the weekend that I'm picking up on Thursday. I know I need shocks for it. I assumed something like shocks would be easy to find since they made so many of these trucks for so long, and that not much changed on the 4x4 side of things over the years. I can't find a single listing for a shock. What am I doing wrong?

[FlameOut]

you can try here http://www.autoanything.com/suspensi...0A50472A1.aspx

I have bought shocks from them for my 2004 Silverado. They always have some type of discount code you can use too. I know what you mean though about finding parts. I can't seem to find brake lines for my 72 K10 (I also need a full body mount kit, but none seem to come with bolts??)

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I got KYB GR-2 shocks for $12 a piece from rock auto a few weeks ago.

[bhc41051]

Jimal you're not going to find a listing anywhere for shocks to fit a 60-66 K model. You'll have to measure your shocks then go to the shock manufacturer's website and see if you can find their specification page and try and find a match or something close. Thats what I did for my 62.

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by bhc41051

Jimal you're not going to find a listing anywhere for shocks to fit a 60-66 K model. You'll have to measure your shocks then go to the shock manufacturer's website and see if you can find their specification page and try and find a match or something close. Thats what I did for my 62.

That is what I'm learning. This is my first 4x4 anything. I'm used to being able to buy something like this off the shelf, or at least being presented a series of options and part numbers. The complete lack of any listings was freaking me out there.

[bhc41051]

I've attached the specs for Rancho shocks, take a look at RS5001 and RS5008 for the front. The K models made a mid year change in 63. The rear shocks mid 63-66 are different so I'm not sure of the lengh and mounting bolt size, maybe someone will chime in with a measurement for you

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by bhc41051

I've attached the specs for Rancho shocks, take a look at RS5001 and RS5008 for the front. The K models made a mid year change in 63. The rear shocks mid 63-66 are different so I'm not sure of the lengh and mounting bolt size, maybe someone will chime in with a measurement for you

Thanks for the info. I'm planning on making some calls, but I won't have the truck until Thursday night so I can't measure anything. What was throwing me off was the complete lack of any documentation, even on the big, national parts sites. If any of them listed 60-66 K10s but noted that measurements were required, I would have figured things out. All I found was a big, fat goose egg.

[BigSix]

I just did this. There are matching Rancho RS5000's for my 65 3/4 ton. Only issue is the rear bushings are huge on the frame and modern shocks are not that big. I installed mine without the metal sleeve knowing very well that it will destroy the shock bushing.

[lowrollin70gmc]

(edited: I was wrong about being a NAPCO truck).

Owning a 4wd wasn't as common back in the early/mid 60s, it was only worth the price if the truck truly needed it, not for normal commuting like many do nowadays. The easy to interchange parts (springs, steering, etc.) are from 69-up.


Toss up some pictures when you get it home, I have a soft spot for old 4x4s (I think a lot of us do).

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

You'll find quite a few places not listing a 4x4 in your year as they weren't factory built, but built in low numbers by NAPCO. Owning a 4wd wasn't as common back in the early/mid 60s, it was only worth the price if the truck truly needed it, not for normal commuting like many do nowadays. The factory started producing their own 4x4s in 67 in low numbers, and even then the easy to interchange parts (springs, steering, etc.) are from 69-up.


Toss up some pictures when you get it home, I have a soft spot for NAPCOs (I think a lot of us do).

I posted some here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633362

But as you can see, it is still in storage mode.

[andrewmp6]

Or talk to http://offroaddesign.com/ they can get just about anything not listened on their website.

[61K10]

his tk is not a Napco was gm built. post up your measurements when you get time. I bought Monroe shocks but had to change the bushings. your 65 shock mounting is different than 60-62 also.

[argonaut]

First, 61K10 is correct. GM took over assmembly of 4wd pickups in 1960.
Second, I am fairly confident that shocks for 67-72 pickups of a similar height/lift will fit onto the 63-66 Chassis. 60-62 used a different arrangement, if i remember correctly.
it should be fairly easy to take a measurement between your upper and lower mount points, unladen, and then check the dampers at your local parts store. Make sure that your measurement is nearly half way between compressed and extended lengths.

[lowrollin70gmc]

My bad, I edited out the NAPCO part in case this comes up in a search. Either way, the truck looks like a fun way to get into 4wds. The tires seem a little low profile though... I personally keep a set of car tires on extra wheels for when I have to bring my K20 Burb into a low garage or do a lot of interior work.

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by lowrollin70gmc

My bad, I edited out the NAPCO part in case this comes up in a search. Either way, the truck looks like a fun way to get into 4wds. The tires seem a little low profile though... I personally keep a set of car tires on extra wheels for when I have to bring my K20 Burb into a low garage or do a lot of interior work.

That is something I'll need to address. I'm going to use those steelies as my primaries wheels. My garage door is in need of replacement, so I may look into something taller, as my garage is tall enough to handle the truck if I could get it through the door.

[61K10]

I have a regular garage roll up door, have about 3" of clearance with 31-10.50-15"s.

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by 61K10

I have a regular garage roll up door, have about 3" of clearance with 31-10.50-15"s.

Hmm... That would make my life a whole lot easier. I'll find out tonight.

[61K10]

lowrollin--Napco did make the 4x4 in the bigger trucks 30-40-60 series or at it was their Kit. something like that.

[Jimal]

Got the truck home last night. On the 31-11.50-15's that are currently on it, the truck is about 3 inches taller than the lowest part of the garage door. I'm looking at 31-10.50-15's for the steel wheels, so I think this is going to be an outdoor truck.



The good news is there is a shock on the back at least that I can use to measure for replacements. Nothing on the front.



The front has one of those "use a limited slip additive" tags on it. I didn't look for it on the back. I'm also not as impressed with the exhaust as I first was. Seems rather restrictive coming out of the manifolds. Something to figure out.



The seller said he was able to run the truck by spraying starting fluid into the carb, but that it wouldn't take fuel from a gas can (the rear-mounted tank isn't quite ready yet) so I'm thinking at least a stuck needle or a bad float, or at worst a bad fuel pump.

I ordered my first batch of parts last night Depending on weather and motivation tomorrow I'm either going to just document a bunch of stuff or throw a charger on the battery and see if I can get it running.

[61K10]

did you read the tag on the front axle? not disputing you but most are gear ratio tags. we need more pic's.

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by 61K10

did you read the tag on the front axle? not disputing you but most are gear ratio tags. we need more pic's.

Yes I did, and here is a pic.



My GM experience is from years ago, and all on the car side, but I don't recall ever seeing a gear ratio on a tag like this. Only the limited slip message.

[61K10]

whats out back? 12b posi? for the experts was a posi offered stock in the front dana? nice setup------

[Jimal]

Originally Posted by 61K10

whats out back? 12b posi? for the experts was a posi offered stock in the front dana? nice setup------

I haven't taken the opportunity to search for a code on the back yet. I did a tune up this afternoon but I had to turn the HEI distributor to get to all the retaining clips and I didn't get the initial timing back to where it should be. Also, the brake booster I picked up this afternoon doesn't quite line up right. I need to look at it and determine if drilling new holes and trimming the bracket makes sense or if I should bring it back and see if they can get the right one.