The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Question about Shocks?

I have a 57 6100 Chevy that I got couple months ago. I noticed that the truck had no shocks and had no brackets for shocks.I don't know to much about these big truck. But I thought it would have shocks like the little ones.Could someone have cut the brackets or did the truck come factory with no shocks?

I don't think the big trucks had shocks. My 45 doesnt have them either. My service manual shows the suspension without any shocks.

trucks above 3600 don't even have a cross member that would mount the shocks, although I believe they were optionally available on 1 tons - with the size of that rear spring pack it's unlikely any damping would be needed or useful

Bill

I was just wondering because I have a 55 shop manual that shows a 2 ton frame with shocks.

if you check the intro of section 2 in the manual, you'll see where it states front shocks are an option for 1.5 and 2T

Bill

But what about the back?

At higher speeds they may be helpful.
Even semi trucks and locomotives have shocks these days. Talk about some stuff springs! check out a rail car...
I have brackets and plans to add shocks to my 2 ton.

Grigg

Here's a post about adding shocks to the rear of a big bolt, and where to find half the brackets.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...;Words=shocks&Search=true#Post463131

Grigg

the back, as I said above, doesn't even get the cross member that mounts the shocks - I'm sure under some circumstances there might be a just noticeable difference with front shocks, but at the speeds these trucks were capable of loaded, rear shocks would be a waste of money .... high GVW buses had/have shocks too, but modern semi suspensions are quite a bit different from '57, as are roads - these trucks were designed and priced to be worked to death rapidly, not to be driven empty or provide passengers the smoothest possible ride

Bill

Thank you for all the info guys!!

Shocks? We don need no steenking shocks! :P

Altho, between the bounce on the front and my springy seat, I could go for some up front for sure. Been a couple times when I felt like a rubber ball in a shoe box. The back end tho, when it's empty that spring stack barely flexes. Might look at adding on some front shocks when I replace the springs, if I ever have money again that is.

Both my 10500 Series 1957 Fire Engine and 8400 Series 1956 Tow Truck have front shocks. They are both 2-1/2 ton rated.

Mike B

My 1952 GMC 470 series COE, also has Factory front shocks. It's rated at 3 1/2 tons.