Tech tip: 5 minute shock install
 

Yesterday I had a broken shock again in the front of my 90 1500. What a pain. I had to use a breaker bar, liquid wrench, cheater pipe, box end wrench and air impact. Since this is the second time a pot hole broke my shock I decided to change something.

I took (2) 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts about 4 1/2" long and cut them to length and drilled a 3/16 hole for a hitch pin clip on the threaded end. NExt time I have to replace a shock all I have to do is pull the pins and pop it in. This is way easier than fighting rusted hard -to-get-to bolts. Since the stress it all on the bolt and not the pin it should work fine.:metal: I'm gonna do them all like that on my 83.

Re: Tech tip: 5 minute shock install
 

Or.... you could just put anti-seize on the bolt threads. The road conditions shouldn't cause a shock to break though unless it's bottoming out. Is this on a stock height truck?

Re: Tech tip: 5 minute shock install
 

Yes

Re: Tech tip: 5 minute shock install
 

Very good idea, thanks for sharing.

Re: Tech tip: 5 minute shock install
 

I still think it's a good idea. You know how suspension bolts can be. You put anti-seize on your nuts and I'll race you when we replace shocks...I can also pull 2 pins and tilt my box on my 83 to work on the chassis.

Re: Tech tip: 5 minute shock install
 

Deal.

While there's more than one way to get things done, I won't worry about paying up anytime soon because mine will last for years on end w/o failing. Eliminate the failures as part of the install & issues like what you describe shouldn't exist. Less work & cost effective for me. The shocks that were on my 68 Beater w/a 5/7 drop were good for 6yrs of daily use. The shocks on my old 74 w/a 6/8 drop have been in place since 2003, driven daily, & are still chugging along.

Now for a race type application where shocks might be swapped to dial in for track conditions, I could see the benefit.