Shock Question(s)?

[SCOTI]

If you bought the same type of shock from the same manufacturer (1 front & 1 rear shock), how different do you suppose the shocks are as far as valving & stiffness?

I'm curious because for the rear of my 74 I used what fit the location given the compressed, extended, & ride height requirements. The shock that fit was actually for a 73-87 Chev 4wd front. I haven't really noticed an "oh sh**, that rides like crap" sensation & they were easy enough (& cheap enough) that it was worth trying..... so they've worked fine.

I'm trying to get my 68 sorted & wanted to get a better quality shock (Bilsteins). My dilemma is they don't make a rear shock for 67-72 trucks & later years seem to have wayyyyyy wrong dimensions to be able to retrofit. I can however adapt a few different shocks that are again intended for the front of a vehicle.

Please.... I'm not interested in the 'drop shocks' that several companies offer. I prefer to make my own brackets & use the correct (or close to it) shocks.

Think the valving is that different (or does anyone have some technical input?).
Let me know your thoughts on the subject.

[CochinoFilipino]

Have you considered an adjustable shock? Then you can dial it in to your personal preference.

[jimmydean]

My shocks looked and felt the same before I installed them. The valving should be the same as well. Most of my shock experience is with off road shocks and all of them are valved the same unless you have them valved different.

[CochinoFilipino]

If you can get a Bilstein shock to fit and find that you don't like the feel, you can have it revalved.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by CochinoFilipino

If you can get a Bilstein shock to fit and find that you don't like the feel, you can have it revalved.

I went ahead & got the correct front Bilsteins (stock height) & got some 88-98 rears (4-6" drop). I"ll have to fab some brackets but hopefully it won't be too bad.

I just wanted to keep the valving close for the front/rear of the truck. Since they had a 'lowered' application for the later model (chevy truck @ that)..... I figured I would give it a shot.

[thekid54]

Hey SCOTI, do you have any dimensions on those rear shocks, like compressed and extended height? What type of mounts do they use top and bottom?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by thekid54

Hey SCOTI, do you have any dimensions on those rear shocks, like compressed and extended height? What type of mounts do they use top and bottom?

I'll have something for ya' in a few days.

I measured a buddys truck in the parking lot @ work today. It's stock (stock height) & the shock length @ ride height was 18". They use a 9/16" x 1 5/8" bolt on bottom & a 'T' bracket on top (I'll just pull the 'T' out of the top shock eye & stick a bolt through).

The rear shocks I ordered are for trucks w/a 6" drop so I figure (ok, I'm hoping) they're shorter than stock.

[dirtball]

SCOTI,
Keep us posted on how all this turns out with the Bilsteins. I have had good experiences with them on other vehicles and would like them on my lowered 68. Where did you order them from and how much $?
Brett

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by dirtball

SCOTI,
Keep us posted on how all this turns out with the Bilsteins. I have had good experiences with them on other vehicles and would like them on my lowered 68. Where did you order them from and how much $?
Brett

Will do. Remember, on my truck that's dropped >5/7", it required some creativity w/the mounting brackets.

I ordered them from Summit @ approx $65ea.

[dirtball]

OK, I will be watching for the results.

[SCOTI]

Ok.... update time.

As always, nothing comes easy in my world. The front shocks are the exact dimensions they're supposed to be, but . . .... they have the upper stud permanently attached . So I had to cut off the studs on some brand new shocks only to realize I now had to sleeve the rubber bushings.

I had a couple of old front shocks lying around & pressed out the sleeves. One of the sleeves fit perfect..... the other is much too loose. It seems the bushing I.D. is larger on one of the Bilsteins than the other. Luckily I have a 'spacer' that came w/some brackets on another project. I'll have to use it after turning it down to the correct O.D. & drilling it for a 1/2" bolt. Then I can mount the fronts.

The rears are going to take some creativity. . ..... more than I hoped. I was guessing that because the spec'd application was a 88-98 C1500 w/a 4/6 drop, the shocks would be shorter than stock..... they aren't (I don't understand why they list one P/N for a C1500 & another for a 4/6 lowered C1500 ).

Extended length is 22" & fully compressed is 14". My truck @ ride height requires 14" shocks. So somehow I have to create 4 more inches of travel. I'll prob relocate the top mount (more than it already is) & lower the bottom mount 1 more inch while trying to position it so it's not any further below the 'scrub' line.

I'll post up picks after I come up w/something decent.

[SCOTI]

I tried a couple of different combos to mount the rear 88-98 shocks in the factory 68 rear shock mount orientation.

The first attempt was to put some studs for the 'T' brackets & open up an access hole for the top of the shock (similar to what is used on 88-98 models) in the 68's shock c.member using the 68's shock geometry. I felt the shocks angle was too compromised to work correctly.

My second attempt was to run the shocks straight down to a fabricated bracket that would be held in place by the trailing arm u-bolts. After mocking the shocks into place (this required relocated new top studs & another access hole ) , I decided that the lower mount would be way too low.

So..... I cut the stock shock c.member & raised it 3". This will allow using the factory upper shock brackets & shock geometry. I'll make a new lower mount that drops the stud 1" & this will get me the 18" shock length required @ ride height. Not exactly a bolt-in swap but it should work decent enough.

I was going to have to modify the bed floor to clear the rear end pumpkin anyway. This will also allow for more room to run exhaust pipes over the rear end.

I also learned that the front Bilsteins are 1.5" longer than the Monroes I used when fabricating my front shock relocation brackets which means I would have to live w/less than 2" of front shock compression. I'll either have to swap the brackets or re-fab the current ones & raise the shock mount holes 1" higher.

[dirtball]

Too bad they don't just make a shock closer to what we need. After you are done with all the fab. it will probably be worth it though. I switched from KYB gas-adjust to Bilsteins on my Camaro and there is a major difference in ride quality. The KYB's were way too harsh.