My truck had already been converted to "modern" shocks before I bought it. They are light blue which makes me guess they are Monroes ....? Both fronts are leaking. Question- The shocks are quite inclined, their angle is surprising steep. Is this normal? I am used to shocks that are more upright in application. Next question- The front end doesn't seem to have a lot of travel. I would say there is only about 2" left in shock compression. So is the front-end ride height OK with this? Final question- I am used to gas shocks. Have been using them on cars for years. I like the Bilstein ones, a bit more $ but they seem to hold up and work well, especially in the HD version. -Does anybody have experience with this brand? -Do they have HD for AD trucks? -Should I be looking at another brand? Thanks as always for your advice and help. Haasman
1) the steep angle is normal per application.Shock angle wasn't important then like it is now.Shocks now days work better when there straight up and down.And a shock looses 5% of efficiancy for every 5 degrees of angle.As far as ride height you need to consider the age and rate of the leaf springs.If the sprins have lost any rate they've lost arch and will effect ride height. 2)I put KYB's on my 57. I've had good luck with these in the past with good results.This is my oppinion Bilsteins a great shock. I've had these on many racecars Iv'e worked on over the years.And thats where they belong.On racecars.The money you save on another shock that is a good equivalant and do the same job,will be money well spent somewhere else on your project.Probably opened up a can of worms on the shock issue but thats racing. Bobby
You say the shocks have 2" of movement till they bottom out. Did you mean the suspension has 2"? If the shocks need more travel, take measurements at full drop and full droop, eyebolt to eyebolt, then see what you can find that fits the measurements. I did it old school and went to pep boys with a tape measure, opened boxes and measured until I found what worked.
Haasman, if your truck is a '51, it wasn't converted to modern shocks, it came from the factory with them. Tube shocks were introduced with the 1950 model. Both the front and back angle are rather pronounced. Ken
Gas Shocks Are the only way to go and Bilsteins are the $mart choice as they not only improve ride and handling greatly , they'll outlast any other shock you can buy , hands down . By shopping around , you can $ave $ome real $$ on them . Koni's are great . KYB's are good too but BEWARE ! they make their old top quality shock but it's not cheap ~ it is white in color . For the cheap crowd , they also make crappy inex$pen$ive shocks that are grey colored and they work fine for a year or so then poop out , leaving you sorry you wasted $ on KYB's . If you only have 2" travel , your truck has been lowered or the springs are totaly shot . Monroe's are O.K. , Gabriels used to be good but are now worthless junk .
Hey this is great. Very helpful information. I wondered whether the incline of the shocks was typical as well as the amount of travel. Thanks for all the info. I am partial to the Bilsteins .... I'll hunt around for a good deal. Haasman
Bilstein Shocks Kymco , in Orange , Ca. used to have them quite affordably . I'm sure shopping 'round the Internet will find some cheaply .
The truck in your avitar looks to be lowered, if so, find some lowered shocks to work better with the setup. If the shocks are bottoming out, none will last for long.
If both are leaking there's a good chance they are bottoming out. With the weight on the axle measure from top to bottom mount then go to your FLAPS and look in their shock specs book (or computer). These give the extended and compressed length as well as the type of mount---eye, pin, stud, etc. Pick one that your measurement is in the middle of it's extended/compressed range. Probably not room for a chain but if you can run a strap over the top of the frame and UNDER the bottom of a floor jack you can jack the axle up and see if the shock bottoms before the axle hits the snubber.
Evan That is a good idea. Forgive my ignorance, but what is FLAPs? I am wondering if the front end is maybe too low? Haasman
