The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How to determine matching shocks for 1.5 ton truck?

Hi All,
I believe this is a literal science but how do we determine the proper shocks for the front and rear of these trucks? In my case 1938 chevy 1.5 ton. The only thing different about my truck is - under the original rear springs I have a dana 60 dump truck axle with spring perches; not far off from the weight of the original. I dont know the front or rear spring rate or what shocks to match it with..

Look for a modern truck of similar configuration and shocks, find some new ones!

Ed

Heres what I found.. Not sure how to interpret it.. If I am reading that right, thats a lot heavier spring rate than a regular truck @ like 400# rates.. Could that even call for like 2 sets of shocks on the back??

Eh maybe ill just go for it with a good bilstein. Ive seen some trucks with 4 shocks on one axle. Do t know wht tho.

Can anyone tell me how much suspension travel I should plan for on the shocks?

Jack the truck up from the frame, letting the axles hang all the way down, measure between axle and bump stop, then load it to capacity and measure again. The difference would be shock travel required.

I put these on the front of my 55, 1.5 ton.

Thanks guys. asilver; I looked at that shock, has a good 10" of travel which is real good. But the pic shows no ends on it that would bolt to anything. Is it just threaded metal ends or does it have the ears that bolt into a bracket? Also, what did you put on the back? Same brand? Thanks.

Those shocks have what's called a stud mount. It would need a frame bracket with a single hole in it and possibly a cup for the rubber bushing. Here's an example from my '51 3100 chassis.

Oh I see. My rears have the other type of bracket. I would probably just have to find the matching shock with the ears on it for front and back. I also have to be sure shocks dont raise the vehicle bc I have 1/2" clearance to get into the garage.

The shocks have nothing to do with ride height, unless they have helper springs on them. It shouldn't affect ride height at all.

klhansen, has the ends correct.

My truck doesn't have provisions for rear shocks... so I didn't replace them... or add any... not to say I wouldn't in the future though.

38 1.5 ton Built a heavy duty 4 link for my 51 6400,had no idea what it would like,got coil springs from speedy Bill in nebraska 5x13. It bottomed out at times,got 5x15 opened it up like clambshell with the winch truck,dropped them in fixed it !! Used just over the counter Monroe shocks with enough travel it couldn't bottom out. Now on a hard stop will rock and dampen right out. Thinking about putting shocks on the front,saw that spring leaves are digging into the leaf above a little might need to carefully grind those back a little. Have driven it about 10,000 miles since 2018 funnest pick-up out of about 30 i've had in 50 years.

Hey guys, this shock fits in the space I have reasonably; does it matter it is considered a 'front' shock?? Please see the specs in the pic... [edit] I cant find any internet information that says putting shocks on the back help.. all posts I find say put them on the front.. only..

Does anyone know where to get universal mounts for the front shocks? upper and lower? How did you do it? Thanks.

Some ‘90’s +/- GM trucks have factory dual front shocks, bracket for duals work for singles on other trucks!

Ed

38 1.5ton Look at other big trucks for shock mount ideas,you can make your own using angle iron. Go to your local big truck suspension shop and ask them,you'll likely have to buy some new axle u-bolts anyway. On the angle iron you may have to widen one side by welding on flat iron so it will fit your spring perches. I don't think they specify front/rear on truck shocks. You'll also need to drill some fairly big holes,and on the frame be sure shock can't come loose and (woller) out the hole. That is hard to fix !! I just use over the counter Monroe's rather than expensive big name shocks. One other thing is rebound I just count on the shock,don't jump it much like they do in San Francisco in the movie chases LOL.

asilverblazer When I went to 4-link with coil springs I assumed would need to use shocks. Was kind of in the dark on it,so installed the Monroes after 10,000 miles is fine.

381.5 ton Hmmm I see on your chart it says rebound 599 lbs. I think my differential is a lot hevier than that,however 2 of those would be close. Doubt if my monroes have a rating even close to that. Somewhere I saw a big truck that used a big V-belt in there for rebound strap.

The shocks are on. Big difference. Thanks for everyones input! Now im going to hv a question on tires. New thread…