The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1958 Chevy 4400 Front Shocks

I am getting ready to replace my front U-Bolts, I thought while I eas there I might mount front shocks as well. The truck currently has no shocks, anywhere, I was thinking adding front shocks may improve the rough ride, a little.. What series truck would have a comparable shock that I could use for this. I will probably fab my own mounts.

My '57 5700 LCF came stock with front shocks, it has shocks on it now that were on the truck when I bought it 9 years ago. You can go to the GM Heritage site and see if they give a reference for your application in the spring/suspension section. Mine shows that was stock factory for the LCF. Don't hold your breath hoping for a smoother ride, shocks are designed to control the bounce and rebound movement of the suspension, it won't ride smoother/less jolting. The spring rate, unsprung weight, and vehicle weight determine the comfort of ride. Shocks will help control the suspension.

I know that shocks won't make this ride like a Cadillac, I just want something that won't bounce me through the roof when I hit a pot hole.

Shocks could help there a little.

Shocks will help a lot with the rebound, it will just bounce once versus continuing to bounce. Also, shocks will also greatly extend tire life, and help with tramping or steering wheel shake at higher speeds. My bus has a bracket that bolts to the rearmost spring shackles, providing the stud to mount the shock. I'm sure you could find or make this bracket, and its corresponding frame attachment is just a big stud that goes into the frame. So, pretty easy to implement and it really will make a difference in how it drives.

Also, I noticed when I replaced my front shocks, that side to side sway was controlled a whole lot better. Makes a big difference in a school bus where there's plenty of side to side boogie!

I can mke the lower shock mounts, it's easy enough to copy what the 1/2-1 Tons use. The uppers may take a little more creative engineering. I have looked at sites like RockAuto and NAPA for trucks of similar design to find a shock. RockAuto lists a MONROE 66833 Magnum for a 1964 C50 at $25.89 each. These have compressed length of 15.8 inches and a travel length of 9.3 inches. Being that the truck is reasonable similar in design and weight I think these should work fine.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinf...556&jsn=620&optionchoice=0-0-6-1

Those should work. They'll be a huge upgrade from what is currently there!

LAJones48 (larry) has hooked me up with the OEM style mounts. Once I have everything on hand getting the shocks mounted shouldn't take too long. Thanks to everyone for the ideas and advice.

Craig - Be sure to post some pictures of the work as others will appreciate seeing what you did and how it works.

The shock mounts arrived this afternoon. These were exactly what I was needing. The shocks will be here next week, from there it's all on me to get this done. Thanks again to Larry for the parts...BOLTER’S ARE THE BEST.

Just a quick update. I ordered my shocks from RockAuto, they arrived yesterday. As I thought the bushing eye is larger than the 1/2 -1 Ton Truck. I did manage to locate a NOS pair of upper shock mount studs for the C40- C60 series Truck. Those parts should be here the first of the week.

I mis-measured the front U bolts and need to return those. I ordered 1/2" inch diameter and needed 9/16". I'm playing the waiting game again.

Good Morning, just an update on the Shock project, I was finally able to get the shocks mounted on "Thor" this weekend. I had accumulated all of the parts and pieces to successfully get this completed and found time on over the weekend.

I cleaned up the brackets in the blast cabinet, hit them with a coat of primer and gloss black Rust-Oleum. Starting with original front axle U Bolts, after soaking them down with Kroil, removing them was actually pretty easy. I mounted the lower shock bracket and stud mount using the new 9/16 inch U Bolts. I located the upper bracket using 2 existing holes in the frame. I had take measurements from the shock mounts on my '59 1/2 ton. The holes in the frame lined up perfectly, I was only required to drill one hole to mount the bracket. I used 1 1/4 inch long, 7/16 inch diameter NSF grade 8 bolts and hardware to secure the upper bracket. I had to open up all the holes to the 7/16 inch diameter. With both brackets in place I torqued everything to specs, 100 Ft LBS on the U Bolts and 65 Ft LBS on the bolts. I paint everything with a coat of Rust-Oleum.

All that remained was to mount the shock, the length was spot on. With the passenger side completed I moved to the driver side. I had thought the driver side would be more involved, but completing it only took a 1/3 of the time.

With the tires and wheels remounted all that was left was a test ride.. WOW!! It was like driving a different Truck. I seemed so smooth and actually felt more stable. I chose the roughest road in my area and even a couple of Rail Crossings. Not a problem, what had once bounced me across the seat was now comfortable. The old truck even Rattled less.

Cost: I purchased the parts and pieces a little at a time to try and offset costs

Brackets, $35.00 (Thank you Larry)
U Bolts, 48.60 (U Bolts Direct)
Shocks, $55.58 (RockAuto)
Shock Studs, $49.98 (E Bay)
Hardware, $21.35 (Automotive Fasteners)
Shipping, $53.39

Total, $263.90

Good job, looks great!

Mike B

Nice to hear it made a great improvement, nice work.

I keep thinking I should have taken more pictures. I get so involved in doing things I often forget it capture the process in pictures, it just might answer a question for some one else.

For all the years and projects I have done, I don't take pictures, I just don't think about it while I'm in the heat of the project. I wish I had pics of all of my past vehicles, house renovations, etc. I do have a few pictures of boiler, radiant heat, geo-thermal piping jobs that I built before I retired, mostly 'cuz I had the company smart phone on me all the time and snapped some pictures. You did fine with what you did provide.

New shocks always make a big difference on old trucks. Even bigger when there were none to begin with!

Nice work, enjoy the smooth ride.