The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Original Shocks 1957 1/2 Ton

I am looking to purchase (black) original style (or as close as possible) shocks for my 57 3100 1/2 ton.
Anyone know where to get any that is close to the orginal look? Are they any good? The ones I bought during the restoration were (blue) cheap China made and one has already failed.

Thank you.

Jon

Check with your local auto parts store, Napa, orielly, autozone.

I bought front and rears from autozone for my year truck. They had them on the shelf
If I remember right they were gabriel. Not to expensive. The rears were black, the fronts were red and I painted them black

"Hecho En Mexico"

They seem to be holding up well, no complaints yet.

One good thing about checking locally is that you dont have to pay shipping, you can look at them before you purchase them, and you can take them back if you have a problem.

Check around for your year truck
Good Luck

I hear the orginals had a "spiral" design?

you might find some NOS original spiral style shocks on e-bay, but I've never heard of a repro or current supplier .... for modern replacements:
front shocks - Monroe 3100 [each] or Gabriel 82047
rear shocks - Monroe "Limited Edition" LE10018 [pair] or Gabriel 82060
['57-'59 3100 uses the same shock as the 3200/3600 on rear]

Bill

Hi Bill,
Was waiting for your your thoughts. Do you think if I found NOS they would still be any good after 50+ years?
I have a friend that has a 54 Chevy and has the spiril style.

I was looking at the " 1957 Factory Assembly Manual" and the pictures of the shocks do not show any kind of spiril.
I will take a look at the ones you talk about above.

Thank you!

sheets showing the rear don't show spirals, but Sect 3 sheet 1.00 and sheet 8.00 show the spirals on the front - might even have been that the rears weren't spiral, I can't recall now if that was the case, but I'm sure they more a 'light duty' shock, they were used on most GM cars

NOS shocks that've been well stored should be fine, although that doesn't mean they'll last as long as a modern set, there's some rubber in/on them that may have deteriorated ... OTOH there are folks out there who rebuild them, M&S Hydraulics might, and check under Chev parts in Hemmings - here's one in Kansas: [email protected] 913-268-5314 .... of course you'll need to find some originals for rebuilding

Bill

I just bought a 56 & it still has the original spiral shocks. I pulled the rear ones off & they feel real good. I am painting them. & am going to reuse them. I havn't got to the front yet.

Thank you Bill for the links.
Forgot to ask what spirals do for a shock?

Wrenchbender,
Would you mind posting a photo of those shocks?

Thank you!

YIKES!
Those are pricey! Maybe I don't need them that bad....

Thank you "Cletis"

the spirals don't "do" anything, that's just the way Delco made them for awhile

Bill

Give the modern Monroe or Gabrieals a try

Your pancreas will thank you, and your pocket book

JMHO

I have a photo of the spiral shock if you still want to see it. I can send it E-mail. George

Hi George,

[email protected]

Thank you!

Jon

Would shocks from a 1960 thru 62 1/2 Chevy fit?
There are a pair of rear ones on E-Bay.

Thanks guys!

have to ask the seller, who seems to be a specialist

No they will not fit.

Hi Bill,
Contacted the person you found in Hemmings.
He wants $800 for all 4 shocks. Bit too much for my pocket book right now.


Thanks!