My truck had coil over shocks on front, apparently to help the front leaf springs. I would like to replace them. Am I correct that folks just use rear coil overs on front? Any ideas what size/type to use? The modern parts shops make you put in age/type of vehicle, which gets you nowhere.


Thanks.

 

Go to a non box store parts place. The ones that have catalogs on the front desk. Believe me they are your best bet for old info. Even look for one of the old guys at the store. Sometimes computers aren't your best friend.

The reason you have coil overs up front is because they are very close to rear shocks. You might be able to clean one up and read a part number off of it. Most shock manufacturers STAMPED there logo and part numbers near the bottom of the shocks.

BJ

 

Thanks. It's a Monroe shock. Been to one catalog place with no luck. I'll keep trying.

 

Monroe used to make overload shocks that look like coilovers, but they were typically installed on the rear to support heavy loads. never seen them used on the front, the front springs should support the front end weight, and you can't add additional front end weight with load. Why do you need them? Front springs broken?

 

I don't think my front springs are broken/bad. I'll double check. They do seem like the pics of heavy duty load shocks. Don't know that I do need them. Just seems like a little extra support up front would be a good thing.

 

IMHO All it will do is make the ride harsher. Remember these were work trucks for driving fully loaded on dirt roads and across farm fields. Most take out up to 1/2 the leafs in the front springs to soften the ride on modern highways. Unless you are building a HD work truck I'd 86 the overloads.

 

Thanks to all for their input. I'll go for shocks only and see how it goes!

 

Buy a good set of quality shocks valved specifically for our trucks, not those heavily advertised junk sold at the big box and chain parts stores. Those brands spend much more on advertising, the paint job, boxes and shelf placement in the stores than they do on quality control and parts used in their one size fits all shocks.