Front Shock Suggestions

[Wicked Sensation]

Alright guys its been a few years since I have posted here. I am starting to work on my truck again, and have the front suspension apart now. What I need is some front shock suggestions. My truck is a 76 stepside. I'm not sure of the drop, but it is in the neighborhood of 5"/7". It has drop spindles and springs. So, what are you running for front shocks now adays? Part numbers are welcomed... TIA

[Zilverado]

My truck is not lowered, but I just installed “Monroe Sensi-trac” shocks a couple of years ago. The existing ones were pretty worn. I have not had the shocks that long, but they seem pretty good – far better than what was there.

I went for Monroe because they are a recognizable brand name and reasonably affordable. Not too much more going into that decision...

[MM in NM]

If you're anything like me, I keep my trucks forever. Go to Sears and get their preminum lifetime gaurantee shocks. I'm on my third pair (after almost 20 years) on my 76 K20 and about to get the second free pair on my 79 C20.

Show them what you have, or what you need since you're dropped, and they'll fix you right up.

Unless you're racing or have some other special needs any quality shock is about as good as any other,, at least I can't tell the difference running on the street.

Never had a problem with Sears. Bring in my nasty looking old shocks and they just give me a new pair whenever I feel the need..

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by MM in NM

If you're anything like me, I keep my trucks forever. Go to Sears and get their preminum lifetime gaurantee shocks. I'm on my third pair (after almost 20 years) on my 76 K20 and about to get the second free pair on my 79 C20.

Show them what you have, or what you need since you're dropped, and they'll fix you right up.

Unless you're racing or have some other special needs any quality shock is about as good as any other,, at least I can't tell the difference running on the street.

Never had a problem with Sears. Bring in my nasty looking old shocks and they just give me a new pair whenever I feel the need..

Sears used to use brand name shocks (from Maremont) years ago. They were the same thing as Monroes.

For my 74, I used off the shelf front Gabriel VST gas shocks. They ride decent & have worked well so far even w/my amt of drop. I did add upper shock relocators to optimize the travel length.

[laynlow77]

can you either send me pics of those upper shock relocators or tell me how you did them? i really need to do something like that to mine!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by laynlow77

can you either send me pics of those upper shock relocators or tell me how you did them? i really need to do something like that to mine!

They're pretty simple. Here's basically what I used (the pic is from AirRides catalog in their brackets section). I think they go for $10 each from AirRide but I made mine from 2" square thick-wall tubing. I cut the basic shape & measured/drilled the holes for the bolts. I drilled a hole higher up on the frame rail than the stock shock location & bolted them in. They've been on there for 3yrs now w/o any problems. I gained about 2" of travel.

[laynlow77]

you wouldnt happen to have i picture of yours would you? im having trouble seeing it!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by laynlow77

you wouldnt happen to have i picture of yours would you? im having trouble seeing it!

This is the pic from the 03 Tx Heatwave show in Austin. I was right across from N2TRUX's black 77 & went un-noticed.

[laynlow77]

wow that thing is nice....so is n2trux i was talking about the upper shock mount lol.....do you have a picture of that? im not seeing how it goes in my head

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by laynlow77

wow that thing is nice....so is n2trux i was talking about the upper shock mount lol.....do you have a picture of that? im not seeing how it goes in my head

Yeah . . .... I knew that but it's dark outside so this is the only pic for tonight . I'll get you one of the relocated shock mount tomorrow.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by laynlow77

you wouldnt happen to have i picture of yours would you? im having trouble seeing it!

A side shot

[SCOTI]

This is from the back off the truck looking forward.

[SCOTI]

And from the front 3/4 angle (hard to get the camera any closer). You can see the original shock hole where the stud attached to the frame about 2" below the top of the shock.

[laynlow77]

thank you very very much!!! ill let you know when i get this done.

completely unrelated but you seem to be knowledgeable......i have a 77 and i want to put power windows in it...whats the easiest/best way to do it...

[N2TRUX]

If you want "bolt in" power windows you need to find a donor truck and rob the motor/regulator assembly along with the door harness, and the sub harness that goes from the door jamb to the main harness. Installing anything in your doors is no picnic, but that should be the easiest way to do it.

There is one company that I know of that offers a kit that is specific for our trucks. It's offered by A1 Electric Automotive Accessories and can be found here-Look inside



You can also do a generic kit like the one installed in my 77. Roger at Stoked Out Specialties has had good experience with the kits from Specialty Power Windows so that is what we used. Since I wanted a factory look, he installed thier kit along with the factory power window and locks switches.

Here is an old post I saved on the subject that has some good info-Look inside

[N2TRUX]

If you do get your parts from a donor truck you will need the door panel trim too. The old door panel will have the cut outs already, but the trim will need to be modified or replaced.


Here is what the door panel looks like under the trim....

[SCOTI]

Yep, what he said. A-1 or Specialty Pwr. Windows w/the nod toward A-1 as the easier of the 2 when retro-fitting.

[woodyjim]

Hey, N2TRUX!
I'm glad this came up. My '84 has factory power windows but it seems like they just [I]barely make it to the top. Is this just the older technology or do I need to replace something? Thanks for any help!