The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Shock absorbers

I'm getting ready to replace my 15 or 20 year old shocks on my '51 chevy 3100. It still has the standard leaf springs, and has 15" rims with 235-60 radial tires all around. The engine and transmission have been changed to 350/350 setup.
Does anyone have a brand of shocks that they really like, or any that I should avoid? I've seen shocks from $20 to $80 each, could you tell much difference in shocks in normal daily driving?

On the front of my 66, I have Monroe Sensatracs. In the rear I have Monroe Gas-Matic LTs. They ride good and have held up very well for the price. I think I spent a total of around $120 for all four at Advance Auto. They are better than the K-Mart brand shocks that were on it when I bought it. Just my opinion.

Drew

You can tell a difference in daily driving when the cheap shocks wear out quicker...

The easiest thing for you to do would be to replace the shocks you've got with another set just like them if you can tell the manufacturer and model- I suggest taking one of the shocks you have to a vendor of the same brand and get some replacements.

If not, you'll have to measure shock mount to shock mount in the resting position, then extend the leaf springs and measure the 'extended' length. Then you'll have to find some that have those specs and are rated for the weight of your truck.

I,ve got an old Monroe catalog at the shop . I can look up the part #,s tomorrow.

I believe I put Gabriels on the front of my '54 3/4 ton. They feel good, but I only have the prior blown beaters that were on as a reference. I think I went to the Gabriel web site and put in the truck model, and it kicked out the shock that would fit. I got them for $25.00 each.

Monroe has a feature on their web site to find the proper shock, but I'm not sure it goes that far back. I just replaced some very old and worn out Monroe Gas Magnums on my '59 fleetside. This truck has been converted to 4WD and I'm running 33"s. I'm planning on doing some 'wheeling so I put ProComp es3000's on it and the difference is huge. ProComp are s'posed to be made by the same company that makes Ranchos (Tenneco). I had Rancho rx9000 on my '94 Silverado/Z71 with the In-cab adjustment and they were fantastic, soft when you driving with your Mother, firm when you with your Mother-in-Law!!! Just my $0.02

The rear are listed for the AD trucks but not the front.Carquest (Gabrial) part #82066. Napa (Monroe) 64600. LMC shows the front for $30 each.

Thanks everyone, I checked and the old shocks were Monroe, so I guess I'll try Nappa for the replacements.
59chief,
back in the '80s I had a Jeep with a 4" lift and 33x12 tires, and the Rancho shocks. That Jeep took a beating, and would go ANYWHERE! But man it rode lots rougher than my 51 truck.
Enjoy the dirt!

Went to napa and used their Monroe book to find the correct length i needed for the rather strange dimentions i needed. worked great