The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1 Ton Shock Absorbers

The front of my 58 1 ton has shocks. Anybody know of a good replacement? Is the old one a "restorable" type? I've not seen any new ones mentioned in parts catalogs.

The back (Eaton axle) has what appears to be shock mounts attached to the axle tube. There is no corresponding attachment point above it for a shock mount. I've read the past posts and it seems like most 1 tons don't have / need rear shocks, and that they where an option. Does anyone know what rear shock would work? Does anyone have photo's / drawings / specs for a upper shock mount that could be added?

Thanks.

jhaa -

I hate to see someone get 0 replies. Mine will bring it back to the top.

This should be posted in the parts wanted area if it's not there already.

My other 2 or 3 cents may not be worth a penny but I suggest you call Jim Carter for advice 1-800-872-1913. Another idea is to post this question at the big bolts area. I do know that Gabriel brand shocks are very good.

My 1-ton 1950 had no rear frame brackets either but 3/4 ton brackets are a perfect fit and a lot easier to find. Since I will not be hauling bricks they will be fine.

Good luck.

If you can get the extended and collapsed lengths as well as the mounting eye hale diameter, you may be able to match them up to an available shock. For 3/4 ton shocks in Monroe they are part #'s 59001 front-37188 rear. Parts kit #AK32 will be needed to install the front shocks.

I have a 59 1 ton - and shocks were an option not opted for. And you can't get 1 ton shocks easily, but you can get 3/4 ton shocks.

So I decided that would be good enough. My rear axle had some shock mounts on it, but they were beat to death so I just took some 1/4" plate and welded on mounts with my MIG and boxed in the frame with a 1/4" plate and stuffed some big grade 8 bolts through there to serve as the shock mounts top and bottom.

I put the shock about mid travel and that's how I measured it.

Now, do they do any good? Maybe. The rear of the truck, even with my massive flat bed is still pretty light and those stiff springs don't move much. At least the shocks won't wear out anytime soon. It does ride pretty good with 1000 of scrap iron back there.

Here's what I did:

Rear Shock Mount and Rear Axle using 3/4 ton shocks

One more thing - my front shocks tried to slip off so I drilled the end of the mounting pins and put both a washer and a hitch pin on there.

Thanks for the help guys. I already looked through catalogs and didn't find shocks for 1 Tons. I guess 3/4 ton is what I look for.

Slick and simple shock mount for the rear. I'll consider that. Thanks for your demo.

You think you've got a stiff rear... well I actually havn't ridden around in mine yet, but with the standard 8 leafs AND the 5 leaf helper... I suspect it'll be like driving a solid mount axle. Wonder how it'd feel with the dualls inflated to 110 psi!

WHOAHH!!!! Where did you come up with 110 psi for the rear tires?? The manual only calls for 40 in the front and 50 in the rear. Go with the manufacturer's spec (the one in the manual, not on the sidewall). You'll get better tire life and a better ride.

I got 110 psi from the tire manufacturer as max PSI for max loading (about 3500 lbs per tire). According to that logic I could put about 8 tons on my flat bed.

Just checking to see if anyones listening. I believe my shop manual (it just arrived) says somewhere around 40 psi for the fronts and 60 for the rears. Lets see... at 9600 max gvw (lets assume 5000 lb truck) I've got 4600 lb of load I can haul. Lets stay on the safe side and call it 2 tons max.

Anyway, I'll not be hauling 2 ton loads of whatever any day soon, if ever.

Had me scared there. Seen too many tire failures from incorrect pressures, either too high or too low. If the tire is rared for that pressure then it would be ok, but I wouldn't do it unless it was necessary for the load. By the way, have you found any shocks yet? Just wondering.

The 19.5 tire is a big truck (perhaps Big Bolt) style of tire. You see lots of 1.5 and 2 ton "in town" trucks running them now days. I'm just happy cause of the extra velocity it gives me and the "big truck" look.

I just got my Chevy restoration manual and it has better specs for the shocks (i.e. piston diameter and stroke length). I won't go shopping for them for some time, but I know what I'm looking for now.

I'm still in disassembly mode. Got the hoist bed off the back. Almost have the hydraulic system removed. Have about half of the "welded on" bits removed from the back half of the frame. Got my wheels broken free on the front, rears coming soon. Just figured out how to pull the front drums (it's NOT like the book shows!).

My plan of attack is to restore rear suspension, axle, brakes, and back half of frame first. Next front suspension, axle, brakes, and front 1/4 frame. Then get engine and transmission into working order (I think they are functional already, I just need to assure that).

Body restoration, hoist bed restoration, and engine/tranny rejuvenation will be easier with a vehicle that can move on it's own power... but these things are not even on the radar yet.

Ahhhhhh... I love it. Got a date with a right angle grinder tonight!