1966 K10 shock recommendations

[davee60]

Once again, I turn to this excellent forum for assistance!

I am having a heck of a time finding definitive part numbers for front and rear shocks for my 1966 K10 Suburban project. I would think that they would be the same as the K10 pickups, but all the vendors I have searched (Jegs, Summit, Brothers, Rancho, Bilstein, etc.) do not list a specific shock for the 1966 4X4's. Am I missing something, or do I just need to measure? The old ones were so rusty and trashed that they went right into the junk pile, in hindsight, a mistake on my part.

If anyone has some brand and part numbers that I could cross-reference, that would be great. Thanks!

[Bad4wd]

Dave,
I was looking to buy Gabriel 61522 shocks for the front of my '66 K-10
but, I haven't got around to buy them.


Dave...

[jtrichard]

Here you go http://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspensio...t_pn=exp132000
You might want to call them to see if its stock height or not

[evan396]

Look up jimal, he did a post on his 66 k10 shocks.

[davee60]

Thanks Everyone for your input. The ProComp shocks at 4WheelParts look to be for an 8-10 inch lift, according to the description. The specs on the Gabriel shocks appear to be closer to the other shock specs that I have been looking at, but I'm going to get a measurement just to confirm that I'm in the ballpark. Thanks again!

[maxwoof]

I was able to use Monroe Gas Magnum #34944 on the fronts. I had to buy the upper stud post separately, press out the metal bushing in the top of the shock and press in the stud. Been in there for about 5 years now, seems to work OK.

The rears have an odd sized through bolt at the top, I think it is 3/4? Regardless, it is hard to find a shock with the right top bushing. I think it could be done with a series of spacers and a 1/2" through bolt. The bottom attaches to a stud similar to the front shock top, I think you would have to press out the steel bushing.

Below is link to a Monroe page - click on mounting and length sheets, it has some helpful info. The pics are from my 62 K-20.

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/catalog/Misc-Information/

[RANDY COX]

can we see some pixs of your K-10 please..

[BigSix]

Front can easily be found. Rear is not made with a bushing that big anymore. Nothing even close. Some weld washers and then you have a standard 1/2" hole.

[chase@ridetech]

Originally Posted by davee60

Once again, I turn to this excellent forum for assistance!

I am having a heck of a time finding definitive part numbers for front and rear shocks for my 1966 K10 Suburban project. I would think that they would be the same as the K10 pickups, but all the vendors I have searched (Jegs, Summit, Brothers, Rancho, Bilstein, etc.) do not list a specific shock for the 1966 4X4's. Am I missing something, or do I just need to measure? The old ones were so rusty and trashed that they went right into the junk pile, in hindsight, a mistake on my part.

If anyone has some brand and part numbers that I could cross-reference, that would be great. Thanks!

If you could get me the Installed Height of the shocks (mounting point to mounting point with the weight of the vehicle on the suspension) I can provide part numbers. I have both adjustable and non adjustable Q Series options with a 1,000,001 warranty.

[61K10]

I couldn't find any to fit my 61 either. the 3/4 holes in the rear was the problem. I bought some Monroe's and some poly bushings with a 3/4" id and turned them down to fit the shock eyes.

['63GENIII]

I run Rancho 9000 adjustables on mine. I think that I just took measurements from stud to stud and provided it to the sales person that I spoke with. Everyone who has said the problem with the upper rear bolt is right though. I just ran the bolt through the poly bushing with no sleeve. Probably have nearly 30,000 mi on them with no problems.
If you want the part #s for these, I can get them for you tomorrow.

[BigSix]

I have my rear Ranchos with bolt right through poly bushing without the sleeve. But recently have purchased new bushings and will be installing weld washers so I can run 1/2" shock bolts.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by BigSix

I have my rear Ranchos with bolt right through poly bushing without the sleeve. But recently have purchased new bushings and will be installing weld washers so I can run 1/2" shock bolts.

Just read your sig. Thats some hardware you got in that rig! Sorry for the hijack. Back to our regularly scheduled program.....

[BigSix]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Just read your sig. Thats some hardware you got in that rig! Sorry for the hijack. Back to our regularly scheduled program.....

I should update the signature because I'm at single turbo now. But its a brand new Holset shipped from Holset...and it cooks.

[Jimal]

Did someone say Jimal?

As others have mentioned, the front shocks are easy. The rear shocks were bit more of a challenge. I followed BigSix's suggestion from this thread and used Rancho RS5601s for the front and RS5143s for the rear. I had none of the hardware, so McMaster Carr and Tractor Supply became my friend.

[BigSix]

Looks good. I am editing my suggestion and saying the best way to do it is using weld washers to reduce that bolt size. I just bought a new set of rancho bushings and will be installing fresh bushings and reducing bolt hole sizes with some fresh 1/2" hardware (grade 8 for street cred).