Author Topic: Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input  (Read 3035 times)

Offline Armor

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Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input
« 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

Offline Armor

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Re: Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input
« Reply #1 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

Offline Psycho71

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Re: Stock Shock Length/ Might be higher. need input
« Reply #2 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.
There are two tools needed, duct tape and WD40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD 40.