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| | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 111 | Hello all, need suggestions. I need to find out who knows which particular add-a leaf or airshocks or bloks work on a 59 chevy apache 3200 longbed. No one seems to knows the length air shock I need for the 59, I only need to clear about 1.5" the rear end rubs on the outside of tires with a little load. Any help is much appreciated.
1959 CHevy Apache
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | with a "little load"? these trucks were made to carry a large load .... are the springs shot? the tires way wider than stock? if you need a quick fix, just find some heavy wall 2" square tube and longer U bolts and yer done, but might be better to get the suspension back to specs with the proper size tires
Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 111 | yes the tires are as wide as they go in rear I pushed the limit which is fine like I said without any load no issues but with any small load that's where my small clearance disappears and tires rub.
1959 CHevy Apache
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 | I have that same problem with my 58 stepside. I have reverse rims on the back which gives the truck a nice apperance but if you load it the tires rub in a curve. I had about 1500 pounds of tile on mine and did a 40 mile trip on the interstate.Running flat out at 55- 60 mph it was ok but sudden turns, you hear the tire rub a bit. Red where does the tubing go , on the rear axel pads? | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Shouldn't be an issue finding air shocks or cross referencing them. All they need to do is get the full compression and full extension lengths of the stock shock (listed in any shock catalog), then find the air shock that has the same style ends and compressed and extended lengths. Even then, the lengths do nat have to be exact, as long as they're within about 1/2", they will work fine. I don't have the current catalog here, but I'll check the one at the shop to see if I can find some part numbers for you, as I'm certain that Monroe does make air shocks for the '55-'59 Chevy/GMC.
I do find it odd that you're compressing the springs enough to make the tires rub, though. I'm running a fairly large tire (30x9.50) on my 3200, with the stock 8 leaf springs, and have never had a rubbing problem, even with a somewhat heavy load. I've even bottomed out the rear suspension, and never got a rub. It sounds like what Bill (red58) stated, the springs are weak.
Bill Burmeister
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