Air-shocks.. question.

[suzq044]

^ this is how we bought the truck.. apparently all-original, except for maybe these shocks? I dunno - but the questions are:

1)Should we restore those shocks, since someone cut all the cords to refill/adjust them; or replace them with heavy-duty standard shocks?
We plan on using it to actually haul stuff.
2) are they in-fact original? like the rest of the undercarriage

[blackedoutharley]

Air shocks have always been considered a band aid for something else to me.... usually for worn out springs.

Given that the purpose of a shock is to control suspension compression and rebound an air shock filled up to prevent suspension compression is counter intuitive to me.

Install a new set of springs and a good quality shock and it will not only ride better but be closer to the original set up (with vast improvements in shock technology since the 60's).

No need to get crazy on shocks either... Gabriel, KYB etc are perfect replacements.

[suzq044]

I don't think the springs are bad; the coils are actually holding up quite well to the abuse of not having shocks, essentially.

[jocko]

the purpose of air shocks (other than to jack up your 57 chevy in high school, which I did) is to have handy (debatable) and adjustable compensation for heavy loads that you may carry on otherwise stock springs. In other words, if you often carry heavy loads, air shocks would give you the option to add more air pressure to prevent sagging under heavy load (or towing, for example). Air bags inside the springs do the same thing.

blackedoutharley is correct - it IS counterintuitive, but it does serve a corner-case purpose. And if you use them, your ride will pretty much suck if you keep air in them. If you don't, then there's no reason to have them.

for our trucks, unless you're hauling a bed full of bricks every week or towing a trailer, recommend a good set of shocks like blackedoutharley mentioned - monroe/gabriel/kyb, etc. kyb a bit more expensive. Put Monroes on my newer truck today in fact.

Bottom line, above all - DON'T attempt to restore those shocks, and unless you're doing a good bit of towing/heavy hauling, don't even bother with air shocks. (and frankly - even if I were, I'd use air bags inside the coil spring to minimize sag with stock shocks anyway - that way when you deflate the air bags when not under a heavy load, you still have an actual shock response to road bumps, etc)

as for originality - not sure if they were available, but i seriously doubt those are original even if they were. they don't last forever - and those look kinda like monroe skyjackers to me with the faded yellow paint.
Could also be Gabriel I believe. Hey, maybe they ARE the shocks off my ol 57 from back in the day.... I'm sure they made it into some yard sale down the road from the last time I saw them.
my 2 cents!

[blackedoutharley]

The shock mfg's state that they must have air in them; running them empty will damage the bellows.

I have a '65 LWB C-10 and used to have an 8' cab over camper on it. I installed new Moog Cargo Coils and shocks and while it does sag a bit under heavy loads (2 yards of river rock was interesting) it is fine.

From looking at the pictures the springs appear stock (and probably original) and it would benefit greatly from a set of progressive rate springs (or even just new stock replacements).

All the shocks mentioned are quality products. My mother was the largest independent Monroe distributor in the western U.S. before retirement (don't laugh, I got smoking deals on stuff) but I have always ran Gabriel shocks because to me the Monroes were too harsh.
You can find the Gabriel shocks on Ebay or your local Autozone sells them as well (in their own boxes). The rear part number is G63306.

Not directly related to the shocks and springs but my truck really benefited from a rear sway bar. I used the one from Hellwig.

[jocko]

Your mom worked at Monroe and you buy Gabriels!? Shame on you!!

Ha. You're right blackedoutharley - I should have said "less" air, not "no" air. Don't want them to run empty, true!

Personally, I guess I'm just no longer a fan of them. They don't serve much useful purpose anymore that a quality airlift bag setup won't cure - IF it's even needed at all.

[blackedoutharley]

No, she worked for a distributor and actually gave me a set once... I promptly removed them and installed Gabriel's which I had sold for years. The Monroe's were just too damned stiff and uncomfortable.

There were many brands that she sold that I refused to run (like Autolite plugs). LOL

[Tx Firefighter]

GM designed the shock mounts to handle the stress of a shock absorber, not a load assist device. The extra stress of inflated air shocks is very hard on the mounting points. Anyone who has worked on a good number of these trucks has seen shock mounts wallowed out or ripped through. I know I have.

[suzq044]

Thanks for the info & suggestions guys! Will do.

Do you think I NEED to replace the springs? Because we're on an exceptionally tight budget right now. We need to 'rent' space & a lift at DIY (the shop we do our work at) to do the work & it's not cheap. We just don't have the space here @ the house.. and the HOA would get pretty pissed.


One fairly random question; Is the 283 v8 a rare option? I notice a lot of online sites list the inline-6 as the only available engine.

It is a 1966 C10 swb panel.

[Captainfab]

No, there is nothing rare about a 283 IMO. If it came with a 327, then that would be more of a rareity.