The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1-ton rear shock mounts

I got a chance to get under my new project 59 3800 1-ton today and found something strange, i have welded tabs for rear shocks on my rear axle but no shocks, and no place i can see that they would bolt to on the frame. I can't find a picture in any parts book that shows the top mount. I have no front shocks also, but i have the upper and lower stud mounts. Do the front shocks just slide oveer the studs and lock in with a bolt? All this stuff is missing right now. I would like to get some shocks to go with my new/used 16" rims and radial tires.

The front mount just as you describe, but there should be some large washers that support the bushings along with the nuts. The optional rears for the 3800 used what they call a "bayonette' style upper mount, commonly called a stud mount. There was a stud on the top of the shock that fit into a cup mounted to the frame with 2 bushing and t special washers. Very similar to the front shocks on a late model full size or S10 2wd. I'd be hesitant to say you'll be able to find stock type shocks, but perhaps you could adapt shocks from a later 1 ton. You will have to fabricat the upper mount according to what style upper mount it has.

Thanks for the info, i went to a hometown car show last night and saw a 1/2 ton short fleetside, i got under it and saw the rear shocks mounted like you said, but they mounted off of the leaf spring u-bolts and a stud mount on the frame. I have no top frame mounts at all on my 3800, are you saying that rear shocks are an option only for a 59 3800? I have the fronts just not the top mount on the rear. The parts books that i have show the same shocks front/rear for a 3/4-1 ton 59 I don't know any one with 3/4 or 1 ton to look at to see what fits or what the mount looks like.

Yes, rear shocks wer optional on trucks over 1 ton. Fronts mount the same, 1/2 through 1 ton, rears are same on 1/2 and 3/4 ton. You might look into copying the 3/4 ton setup and possibly use shocks from a '73-'87 1 ton, which usually include new upper studs. It won't be 100% corroct to what the original option would be, but it will be funtional.

Ya i figured it was some kind of option, I just checked the front studs, they have a nut on the inside, and a stud that goes thru the mount, but there isn't any thread to put a nut on the end after you slide the shock over the stud and bushing, they are like that on the top and bottom. What am i missing to make it work?

There should have been a threaded part on those studs. Sounds like the po cut them off trying to get the shocks off. You should be able to repair it by replacing the upper stud with Monroe hardware kit #P19, which is the same parts that you can use to adapt shock to the rear. This style stud will pass through the frame and is held in with a locking nut. They're usually included with shocks for '73-'87 Chevy and GMC trucks, but you should be able to get them separatly.

Alright! that sounds great, it's the same part number for the top and bottom right? I looked at the shocks on my 82 chevy work truck and they mount right into the frame rail on the top and thur the u-shaped mount on the bottom. I hope i can get a wrench on those 50 year old nuts and get them off and replaced

The bottom stud should be part of the plate under the axle, but you should be able to use the same part to rpair it as well.

panman,

Here are some pics of the rear shock mounts on my '5? 3800 frame.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2649744290098190200EhuoTY

You should be aware that the axle in the pics is not the original axle from the truck, but a replacement I am installing. I have not yet attached the bottom shock mounts on this axle.

You will see the little 'cups' mounted on the brackets where the rubber grommets and upper shock stud mount go through.

If you need some measurements or dimensions, let me know.

Lane

Thanks for the pic's did you make those mounts or can i get them from a parts house? I have some hole in my frame that might be just for that kind of set up.

Those mounts were original to the frame. They were rivetted on originally. I reinforced the frame by adding another channel on the inside and used the bolts to remount everything.

Check out the 'Parts for Sale' section, or place a want add in the 'Parts Wanted' section of the Stovebolt! Someone must have these parts somewhere.

Lane

That's the mount I was talking about. It's shown in the assembly manual exactly like that, exept withoutthe reinforcing.

you don't really need the shocks in the back. if your ride gets a bit bumpy, get a concrete bedliner. it works real well!