Shock Treatment Needed

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Jun 28, 2003 | 01:41 AM

mustange70

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From: Coutts Canada

Shock Treatment Needed

Heres the deal, i am in the process(a.k.a. passenger I-beam is sitting on a jack stand waitin to be put back together) of installing a 2"/4" drop in my truck and i need new shocks. My question is do i need a smaller (shorter) shock, and i so whats a good shock to get?(a shock thats gives a sporty well handling ride, BTW i don't plan on towing anything and if i do it won't be heavier than a 145hp 6passenger boat with a stablizer hitch and overload springs) I will be going up today (saturday) to NAPA so i need so suggestions right away. Thanks for any help.

Jun 29, 2003 | 08:26 AM

Jens

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From: Germany

Shock Treatment Needed

Hi,

I would say, that you need shorter and harder shocks.
For my opinion ....measure your stoch shock in either fully pulled out and fully depressed condition.
If you are goining to drop the truck 2" the new shock should be a min. of 2" shorter as the stock one...

I hope that helps....

Jens

Jun 30, 2003 | 12:42 AM

mustange70

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From: Coutts Canada

Shock Treatment Needed

My dad had some new napa (a little shorter and harder too)shocka and he said to try them and to my disapoint the drop springs had only dropped it about 3/4" if that so the shocks seem like they will work for it. And the thing about the shocks not droppin it enough i think is gonna be solved by changing the lower spring seat (really its only a spacer) with the washer type from the older truck (pre-79) and that will bring it down a further 1.5" for a hopefull full 2".

Jun 30, 2003 | 02:22 PM

jrocco

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Joined: Oct 2001

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From: Crosby TX

Shock Treatment Needed

One thing you can try is to put the truck on the ground and put a wiriong tit wrap around the shock shaft right up against the body of the shock.

Drive the truck on some fairly bumpy roads and then look at where the tie wrap moved to.

If it didn't bottom out then you are OK.

BTW - What did you do for your front drop?
I am going to do my 1980 and I do want to get 3" to 4" in the front & rear.

Jerry T

Jun 30, 2003 | 11:41 PM

mustange70

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From: Coutts Canada

Shock Treatment Needed

Actually what you are supposed to do when you drop a truck is you cut the bump stops about 1.5 inches to compinsate for the drop.

For the front i am going with springs and the lower spring perches (spaces that the springs sits on) out of a pre 79 1/2 ton to make up for the drop that the springs will supposed to do. If it wasn't a holiday up here (Canada Day) i would have the front done by now. And for the rear i am just going with shackles and hangers for a total of 4 inches. Whe i finish the drop i will update my gallery and put in pictures of it lowered (approx 2/4) for all to see.