Shock Search - 4.5/6 drop

[SactoJim]

I'm getting a bit frustrated trying to locate a quality shock that will work with my drop (4.5 / 6) which seems pretty common.....wondering what everyone else is running and how happy (or unhappy) they are.

I've researched just about all of better monotube designs but the biggest problem I'm having is the compressed length of most shocks that ends up giving me only an inch or less of compression travel distance. From a cost standpoint, I like the Bilsteins but travel distance is still a problem (for the part #'s I've located in this forum). I called RCD and they gave me some part numbers that they said would work but they are close to $200 a shock and are Bilsteins anyway. I do have shock relocation kit on the back but the front is stock. I do have (been in a box for many years!) the front top relocation brackets that bolt on top of the frame but it looks like you have to trim the inner fender for clearance. Hotchkis makes front upper relocation brackets as well but they want a **** ton for those brackets! Talked to the Hotchkis people and I would need to spend close to $800 for their front and rear kits.

At the end of the day, my truck is just street driven but I do want it to drive and handle well and willing to spend some coin to accomplish but I don't want to go nuts.

Center to center shock dims on my truck at ride height:
Front - 11"
Rear - 13.5"

What are you all running with similar drops / specs?

[Grumpy old man]

I'm having the same problem fitting Bilstein's Looks like to run them I'll have to use the front shock relocation brackets or just make my own .


https://www.my4by.com/bilstein-shock-specs

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516508

[54Caddy]

Belltech SP shocks. Have you looked into them?

[Grumpy old man]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625292

[sprint_9]

I went through most of this when looking for mine and ended up giving in and running brackets on the front. Im using the Western Chassis ones. It was the only way I could get enough travel without bottoming the shock. Bottoming the shock is the worst thing you can do so you ideally want to be on the bump stop before that happens.

Im running Ridetech on all 4 corners, ended up with the same part number, 22159841 on all 4 corners with the brackets I ran and the drop I had.

The front brackets I have sit on top of the frame and the inner fender can just be bent around them and no cutting was needed, at least in my case. Best picture I had of how its bent is kind of hard to see.

Kind of spendy but so far after a few hundred miles Ive been happy with them.

[68Stepbed]

Yes, these are quite pricey, but Fox makes a great shock. They're rebound adjustable, and I'm almost positive that Ridetech can rebuild/revalve these shocks.

https://www.ridetech.com/products/sh...owered-height/
https://www.ridetech.com/products/st...ear-shock-kit/

[SactoJim]

It pains me to think about spending this kind of money on just shocks......help convince me they are soooooo much better! That said, I'm leaning that way! I looked at their universal fitments and found that they have just what I need for my current setup and existing shock mounts. Got in my Summit Cart already......just gotta find the courage to pull the trigger!!!!

[3767]

Ok Jim I will try.
Mono design like the bilsteins are nice. I have them on my ram. For a mono style they are hard to beat. They are not cheap and u know this. But.....matt is right on a couple of points. They are adjustable. They have alot of adjustment, more than the competors. They have a million mile warranty. They are made by fox shocks. They got there name n the off rd world. If u look at those trucks, most run them. If u look at high end builds they are on alot of them. If u look at auto cross trucks alot of those guys(matt) have them. They are rebuildable. Big thing is ...u can tailor the ride to what u want. 1 knob sets the stiffness. U can adjust each wheel to WHAT U WANT! there are to many trucks that are n the racing world with them year after year to believe all of those guys are wrong. They have the size u need.

[Mike C]

I have a 4.5” front 7” rear drop on my short step. It is a leaf truck so rears are mounted differently. But I am running (4) stock length front shocks all around. I did re-drill the factory leaf spring upper shock mount to move the shock more vertical.

With spindles and springs in the front you are only effectively changing the control arm at ride height by the spring amount and not the total amount with the spindles. And since that is amplified over the length of the control arm to the shock mount, stock front shocks should be fine. They are at least on my truck and it has several thousand miles that way.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by SactoJim

It pains me to think about spending this kind of money on just shocks......help convince me they are soooooo much better! That said, I'm leaning that way! I looked at their universal fitments and found that they have just what I need for my current setup and existing shock mounts. Got in my Summit Cart already......just gotta find the courage to pull the trigger!!!!

Here's the issue I've found. Shock companies don't like to share their dimensions databases. Grumpy shared a link for the Bilsteins, but as he said, it's hard to find that perfect shock.

Almost every company that sells lowering components still only offer stock replacement length shocks. I had the ECE kit on my truck before. I stood by their products, and what they sold, but the KYB shocks they sold with their kits just weren't the right shocks. Now, as Mike C mentioned, the fronts aren't as much as an issue, since drop spindles don't affect the shock, and there's enough shock travel to allow for a 2" spring drop. However, the rears are a completely different story. When lowering more than 4", you're completely out of the effective range for the stock length shocks, and add that to the awkward shock angle these trucks have, and it make for a rough riding rear suspension. ECE even realized this a couple years ago, and put the Ridetech shocks on their own trucks. They didn't offer to sell them because of the cost, but had the part numbers on file if anyone wanted them.

Ridetech is dedicated to catering to the hot rod/classic market to the point of making a database several years ago of vehicle weights and dimensions to offer correct length shocks available for those with modified suspensions. Another option would be try calling Viking and seeing what shocks they offer if you tell them your dimensions. I know they have double adjustable shocks, and they're a little more budget friendly.

Now, the only other option I would recommend is the NoLimit rear shock relocator kit. This would allow you run less expensive shocks, but still fix the ride quality.

As far as the setup I have that 3767 mentioned, the Ridetech coilover shocks were built to spec for the TCI suspension. An engineered suspension system will fix all the issues, but since you're on a budget, that's most likely out of question.

[SactoJim]

Thanks for the info guys....appreciated.

Matt.....you think the part numbers I show in my Summit Cart will work? My thoughts is they would be fine.

My current shock (eye to eye) measurements at ride height on my truck are 11" on the front and 13.5" on the rear.

[Grumpy old man]

This might help

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/...asurements.cfm

[roboticjunky]

Here are 3 shocks that might work on the front of your truck.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/paj-1084

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/djm-1309

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mon-555002

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Thanks for the info guys....appreciated.

Matt.....you think the part numbers I show in my Summit Cart will work? My thoughts is they would be fine.

My current shock (eye to eye) measurements at ride height on my truck are 11" on the front and 13.5" on the rear.

Those measurements look good, Jim!

[HO455]

Rancho 5120's are what I am using on my Burban which is bagged and lowered about the same as yours. The Rancho 5120's if I remember correctly have about a 10 inch compressed length. The post 253 in the link shows my mount modifications.
I did a lot of research comparing compressed lengths of shocks as that is the most important dimension when lowering. I found that KBY's will have less travel range when compared to Ranchos of the same compressed length. I too wasn't looking for a high dollar shock and found the Ranchos to fit the truck and the budget.


https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...698377&page=11

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by SactoJim

It pains me to think about spending this kind of money on just shocks......help convince me they are soooooo much better! That said, I'm leaning that way! I looked at their universal fitments and found that they have just what I need for my current setup and existing shock mounts. Got in my Summit Cart already......just gotta find the courage to pull the trigger!!!!

I would check with Matts Classic bowties on the Ridetech shocks, I am pretty sure they can save you some cash on those. If you haven't placed your order yet. forums@mcbparts.com

[3767]

That is a good idea. He is having a sale thru 3/6/20. If u go ridetech Jim it would b worth a look. Free shipping and no tax.

[SactoJim]

Awesome.....thanks guys.
Saved almost $100 going through Matt!
Stilll can believe I'm spending this kind of money on shocks! I hope it's worth it.
Thanks for the advice.
Jim

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Awesome.....thanks guys.
Saved almost $100 going through Matt!
Stilll can believe I'm spending this kind of money on shocks! I hope it's worth it.
Thanks for the advice.
Jim

That's a huge savings!! However, I remember being able to buy a set of shocks for less than you saved!

Keep us updated on how you like them.

[SactoJim]

Haha....that didn't make me feel any better Matt!
All kidding aside....looking forward to getting them installed.
I went ahead and bought the No Limit rear shock relocators as well as it just makes more sense to locate the shocks further outward toward the wheels.
I'm hoping for a big improvement in the way it drives and handles the crappy roads here in Cali!

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

That's a huge savings!! However, I remember being able to buy a set of shocks for less than you saved!

Keep us updated on how you like them.

[EdwardSams]

How did things work out, Sactojim?