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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: Armor on March 15, 2011, 07:21:14 pm

Title: Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input
Post by: Armor on March 15, 2011, 07:21:14 pm

OK, so 2 years ago i got new springs put in up front, I'm not sure if they were "Big Block Springs" or standard small block ones but that's all i know. Recently i got a set of summit racing shocks and put them in because my shocks were done for.

When i installed them, they were fully extended, and only about 1/2in below the bolt hole, and the truck was on the ground. it rides like a fridge cart, like there's no suspension, i think the shocks are topping out or something.

what should the stock length of shocks be for a c10, 2wd, with a 350, and i think the frame is 84.

any ideas would be good, should i take it all off and measure it at rest and jacked up or something? i don't know what to do about shocks.

thanks
Morgan

Title: Re: Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input
Post by: Armor on March 16, 2011, 07:52:15 pm

well i finally had time to get under there again, and my fears were realized. the shocks i got were 13.5in long, and when i unbolted the bottom the truck goes to 15in. so i guess i need the 15.5in shocks that are now listed instead of the 13.5 that i got.

i wish both were on there back when i ordered, because getting a "stock fit" shock that is to short kinda sucks lol.

Morgan

Title: Re: Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input
Post by: Psycho71 on March 16, 2011, 08:57:18 pm

I just ordered shocks for my burb. It's 4wd, I can see the same method applying to your situation. But I am certainly NOT a shock guru, I just did what made the most sense to me when I started looking for shocks for my lifted burb.

I measured from bolting point to bolting point with the burb on the ground (normally weighted). Then looked for the shock with the most travel I could possibly find, where my installed height fell out right in the middle of the travel range. this way I have an equal amount of travel both ways. But of course I have straight axles front and rear, so as one compresses the other extends.

On a lowered, or non-4wd truck, I could see not needing the shock to extend as equally as it compresses. But it does need to be able to extend a good bit, otherwise it becomes a limit to the suspension movement. Which is what you are experiencing. Or that's what I took from your posts.