What shocks recommend for '69 C20??

[1972GMCSUB]

What shocks do you recommned to keep this boat lever? We have tbe C20, 3/4 ton, and I would like some shocks that keep it from rolling so much when cornering and braking. What are the options in regard to price and quality?

Thanks,

Chris
'66 GMC Custom Deluxe Suburban
'69 Chevy C20 Suburban
'72 GMC Custom Suburban

[Average Joe]

I have yet to purchase shocks for my burb, but 12 years ago I put a set of new Monroes on my 69 C10 long bed. They worked much better than the old shocks that were on it. Seems like I paid around 35 bucks apiece. Do you already have a front swaybar on your 'Burb? I have heard its one of the best bangs for the buck. I think any front sway bar from a 73-87 should fit. I have yet to do this myself but I think there is a write up in the faq section.

[1972GMCSUB]

Hey Joe, no I don't have a front sway bar. Thanks for the tip. I bought some for our '72 and they sucked. I don't remember what they were. Got them about 1 1/2 years ago. I'd like to get some heavy duty shocks to firm it up. The springs are heavy duty, I'm pleased with them.

Chris
'66 GMC Custom Deluxe Suburban
'69 Chevy C20 Suburban
'72 GMC Custom Suburban

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by 1972GMCSUB

Hey Joe, no I don't have a front sway bar. Thanks for the tip. I bought some for our '72 and they sucked. I don't remember what they were. Got them about 1 1/2 years ago. I'd like to get some heavy duty shocks to firm it up. The springs are heavy duty, I'm pleased with them.

Chris
'66 GMC Custom Deluxe Suburban
'69 Chevy C20 Suburban
'72 GMC Custom Suburban

If you go for a used front sway bar try to find a 1 1/4" bar from a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and any bar from a 73-87 truck or 73-91 Suburban should work on your Burb and you will find a big difference in handling right away. Rancho Suspension should have good shocks for your Burb and Summit Racing sells them.

[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

If you go for a used front sway bar try to find a 1 1/4" bar from a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and any bar from a 73-87 truck or 73-91 Suburban should work on your Burb and you will find a big difference in handling right away. Rancho Suspension should have good shocks for your Burb and Summit Racing sells them.

Hey Greg, thanks for that info. I'll look into that. There was a 3/4 ton 63-66 at the junkyard last week but I didn't even think to check.

Chris
'66 GMC Sub
'69 C20

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by 1972GMCSUB

Hey Greg, thanks for that info. I'll look into that. There was a 3/4 ton 63-66 at the junkyard last week but I didn't even think to check.

Chris
'66 GMC Sub
'69 C20

I just came back from a trip to your neck of the woods and took in the Pomona Swap Meet. I sure do love it down in Southern Cali.

[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I just came back from a trip to your neck of the woods and took in the Pomona Swap Meet. I sure do love it down in Southern Cali.

Wow, ya Greg, that's a good swapmeet. It's been a while since I've been there. I'm in Huntington Beach, about 45 min from there. Hey, today I picked up 4 '65 6 lug wheels for my '66 GMC. I traded a stock painted bumper for the wheels and tires. The guy was pleased, he needed a bumper and I got the stock wheels that I've been looking for.

Take care,

Chris

[PT'S 70 CST]

Call Summit and tell them what situation you are having. They have a very good tech dept.


PT

[1972GMCSUB]

Cool Deal, thanks PT.

Chris
'66 GMC Custom Deluxe Suburban
'69 Chevy C20 Suburban
'72 GMC Custom Suburban

[PortHeadlight]

Please post what you find out. I'm in the same boat. 70 C20 Burb

[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by PortHeadlight

Please post what you find out. I'm in the same boat. 70 C20 Burb

Will do, I'll post the info. Thanks,

Chris
'66 GMC Custom Deluxe Suburban
'69 Chevy C20 Suburban

[RUSHNBOBO]

Look for monotube shocks with aggressive damping especially bump / compression. KYB Gas Adjust are perfect for this application, very stiff on the rear of a unloaded truck though

[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by RUSHNBOBO

Look for monotube shocks with aggressive damping especially bump / compression. KYB Gas Adjust are perfect for this application, very stiff on the rear of a unloaded truck though

Thank you, that will help!

Chris
'66 GMC Suburban
'69 C20

[capev86]

Bilstein HD shocks....can't beat German engineering so obviously a little pricier than most other brands. plan to get a set for my 72 Burb C20 some time over the winter. not sure if Summit carries the correct part numbers for our trucks yet (particularly the trailing arm rear suspension) but here is a link to a seller:

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_Ind.asp?VC=4Q81&SubChar=Q

my truck didn't have a sway bar either. i fixed that with one from CPP (and matching rear unit not yet installed) but the 1-/4 front bar off an 80's 1 ton or camper special is an awesome upgrade. just be sure to get the drop down brackets for the frame rails, bushings, and clamps from the a-arms.

[1972GMCSUB]

Thank you, I plan to get them and the sway bar. I may get a complete front end from a '79 3/4 ton.

Chris
'66 GMC Sub
'69 C20 Sub

[capev86]

not sure if the 3/4 ton burb has the biggest sway bar or not but still a good source of parts to upgrade your rig. you can measure it with a pair of dial calipers. my dad's 84 and 87 burbs had the 1-1/8 bar. i think the original 67-72 bars may have been smaller than that. the big sway bar is much rarer but shouldn't cost you any more (an old sway bar is an old sway bar to most junkyards).

[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by capev86

not sure if the 3/4 ton burb has the biggest sway bar or not but still a good source of parts to upgrade your rig. you can measure it with a pair of dial calipers. my dad's 84 and 87 burbs had the 1-1/8 bar. i think the original 67-72 bars may have been smaller than that. the big sway bar is much rarer but shouldn't cost you any more (an old sway bar is an old sway bar to most junkyards).

I just spoke with my friend, he'd sell me his complete front end from his '79 3/4 ton pickup for $200-$250. It's a great deal. I'm just not keen on doing the work to install it. The sway bar on that is massive. It might actually be a 1 ton. Not sure, but minimum it's a 3/4 ton.

Chris

'66 GMC Sub
'69 C20 Sub

[capev86]

that's not a bad deal on the parts. but do you need to swap the whole front end? is your truck a 69 or 72? if it is a 72 then it should have disc brakes on the front. i know my 72 burb c20 has powerful brakes to begin with and with the Hawk carbon-ceramic sever duty pads they REALLY bite down. the benefit of parts from 1979 is nill unless you are starting with drums. in that case you'd want more than just the sway bar stuff.

[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by capev86

that's not a bad deal on the parts. but do you need to swap the whole front end? is your truck a 69 or 72? if it is a 72 then it should have disc brakes on the front. i know my 72 burb c20 has very powerful brakes to begin with and with the Hawk pads they REALLY bite down. the benefit of parts from 1979 is nill unless you are starting with drums. in that case you'd want more than just the sway bar stuff.

My signature is '72 because we had and recently sold the '72. It was a half ton with a hammered body. We picked up a '69 C20 in great shape. And of course is has the drum brakes. So that's why I'm interested in the front end that a friend has. He put on all new brakes, rotors, calipers, bushings and such for the front end (everything was new) about 8 years or so ago and then didn't drive the truck after putting about 5000 miles on it. So it's just been sitting with all new parts on it. He stopped driving it because the cab leaked so much water when it rained. The cab on the '79 was a '66 GMC cab but was rusted out.

I may pick it up to do the swap later.

Chris

[capev86]

Just heard from a coworker that he doesn't mess with anything other than Bilsteins on any of his vehicles. Said he put a set on a 3/4 ton truck awhile back and the difference was night and day and he plans to put a set on his current chevy pickup because they are better than even modern factory units. This guy also owns a late model Mercedes convertible, so you could say he is serious about having a cushy ride!

[paul mora]

I have spindles and rotors for a 3/4 ton sitting in my shop they are yours if you want will be pulling a good rear axel if you are interested all you got to do is drag them down Yorktown
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[1972GMCSUB]

Originally Posted by paul mora

I have spindles and rotors for a 3/4 ton sitting in my shop they are yours if you want will be pulling a good rear axel if you are interested all you got to do is drag them down Yorktown
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Paul, I'd like that, thank you. Send me an email with your contact info.

Regards,

Christiaan
dukecac@aol.com

[paul mora]

Pulatoy@gmail.com
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