I need stiffer front shocks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

my new 72 · 12-21-2003, 09:12 PM

I am having trouble with my wheels rubbing on the inner fender wells when I hit bumps. The shocks on the truck are crap, they have way too much travel. My truck is lowered about 5 inches up front and I am running 255/55 18's. What do you guys recommend as far as an adjustable shock that I can adjust to the stiffness I am looking for?

Edited to describe problem better: When I am driving and hitting normal bumps it is ok, but when I hit a large dip in the road, or a seam in the highway that has created a large dip I get wheel rubbing. This does not happen over normal bumps, my shocks are just worn out and I am looking for some stiff adjustable shocks to get a stiffer ride. They can have 15 inches of travel for all I care, I just want to be able to limit it with the pressure settings.

my new 72 · 12-22-2003, 12:54 AM

So no one has any suggestions or past experiences about this?

dinnut · 12-22-2003, 01:09 AM

http://www.doetsch-shocks.com/lowtruck.php
you probably need somethign they have

dinnut · 12-22-2003, 01:11 AM

http://www.sporttruckdirect.com/Doet...ch_shocks.html buy them there

**Richard** · 12-22-2003, 01:21 AM

Using shorter shocks as suspension travel limiters will just ruin them. I suggest you adjust your bumpstops. I have pulled out the springs and cycled the suspension. Rest the vehicle on the stops and set them to limit the suspension a little more than that. Using the longer shocks is fine as long as the suspension has the travel you need and the shock is not bottoming or topping out. A longer shock has more oil in it and will be less resistant to fade. As far as shock brand for a stock or lowered 2wd i always use KYB's, great shock for the money IMO. Might want to look into a different wheel if it is out to far (less back spacing). Obviously a shorter tire would give you more room also.

my new 72 · 12-22-2003, 02:10 AM

I didn't mean shorter shocks, I meant a stiffer one. I'm not going to buy new tires and run rubber bands because of this either. I just wanted to know of a good STIFF shock with about three inches of travel to keep this from happening.

cdowns · 12-22-2003, 02:28 AM

shocks ain't going to solve your problem

**Richard** · 12-22-2003, 02:37 AM

I am not sure how you think that a stiff shock is going to solve your rubbing problem? A unit with only 3" of travel is very short and it sounds like you want to use the shock length to keep the suspension from moving to much, which is a bad idea. The wheels and tires were just a suggestion, you asked for them. You need to mechanically prevent the suspension from cycling to far no matter how "stiff" the shocks are. As I said before I like KYB's I think they offer a good compromise between ride and handling. Good luck.

Upon reading dinnut's post I realize that I may have given you more information than you wanted

By your second post it seemed that you wanted suggestions regarding the rubbing problem not just the shocks

dinnut · 12-22-2003, 03:21 AM

i gave what you asked for. lowering shocks or something "hard" i figured that is what you needed since ur truck is lowered.

Injected68LS1 · 12-22-2003, 04:18 AM

Shocks can definitely help you out. But only if you only rub when you hit a bump hard. Then you can get a stiffer shock that will "limit travel" by applying more downward force from compression damping. A shock will have a certain force when it sees a velocity. Higher velocities will exert higher force. So when you install a stiff shock it can effectively "limit" your travel.

From the Doetsch link above, I found an adustable shock that I think I will actually buy. I've been looking for some and I think I like these ones.

They are a 9 position adjustable shock. That means you can keep adjusting it so it is the exact stiffness you want!

Hope this helps.

my new 72 · 12-22-2003, 10:16 AM

Thanks Dinnut and Injected68LS1, that is exactly that problem I am having. It's only when I hit a good dip in the freewy or streets that causes the suspension to travel all the way up. Whatr is the number of those 9 way adjustable shocks you found? They sound exactly like what I am looking for.

Injected68LS1 · 12-22-2003, 12:54 PM

You should actually give them a call. It looks like they have 4 or 5 different styles of shocks that you can order with the adjustable valving. Let me know what they recommended so I can get some too.

my new 72 · 12-22-2003, 07:33 PM

Will do, Injected, I'll let you know.

12-21-2003, 09:12 PM	#1
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I need stiffer front shocks I am having trouble with my wheels rubbing on the inner fender wells when I hit bumps. The shocks on the truck are crap, they have way too much travel. My truck is lowered about 5 inches up front and I am running 255/55 18's. What do you guys recommend as far as an adjustable shock that I can adjust to the stiffness I am looking for? Edited to describe problem better: When I am driving and hitting normal bumps it is ok, but when I hit a large dip in the road, or a seam in the highway that has created a large dip I get wheel rubbing. This does not happen over normal bumps, my shocks are just worn out and I am looking for some stiff adjustable shocks to get a stiffer ride. They can have 15 inches of travel for all I care, I just want to be able to limit it with the pressure settings. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice. Last edited by my new 72; 12-22-2003 at 10:45 AM.

12-22-2003, 12:54 AM	#2
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	So no one has any suggestions or past experiences about this? __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

12-22-2003, 01:09 AM	#3
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	http://www.doetsch-shocks.com/lowtruck.php you probably need somethign they have __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-22-2003, 01:11 AM	#4
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	http://www.sporttruckdirect.com/Doet...ch_shocks.html buy them there __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-22-2003, 01:21 AM	#5
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,881	Using shorter shocks as suspension travel limiters will just ruin them. I suggest you adjust your bumpstops. I have pulled out the springs and cycled the suspension. Rest the vehicle on the stops and set them to limit the suspension a little more than that. Using the longer shocks is fine as long as the suspension has the travel you need and the shock is not bottoming or topping out. A longer shock has more oil in it and will be less resistant to fade. As far as shock brand for a stock or lowered 2wd i always use KYB's, great shock for the money IMO. Might want to look into a different wheel if it is out to far (less back spacing). Obviously a shorter tire would give you more room also. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

12-22-2003, 02:10 AM	#6
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I didn't mean shorter shocks, I meant a stiffer one. I'm not going to buy new tires and run rubber bands because of this either. I just wanted to know of a good STIFF shock with about three inches of travel to keep this from happening. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

12-22-2003, 02:28 AM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	shocks ain't going to solve your problem __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-22-2003, 02:37 AM	#8
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,881	I am not sure how you think that a stiff shock is going to solve your rubbing problem? A unit with only 3" of travel is very short and it sounds like you want to use the shock length to keep the suspension from moving to much, which is a bad idea. The wheels and tires were just a suggestion, you asked for them. You need to mechanically prevent the suspension from cycling to far no matter how "stiff" the shocks are. As I said before I like KYB's I think they offer a good compromise between ride and handling. Good luck. Upon reading dinnut's post I realize that I may have given you more information than you wanted By your second post it seemed that you wanted suggestions regarding the rubbing problem not just the shocks __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746 Last edited by Richard; 12-22-2003 at 03:56 AM.

12-22-2003, 03:21 AM	#9
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	i gave what you asked for. lowering shocks or something "hard" i figured that is what you needed since ur truck is lowered. __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-22-2003, 04:18 AM	#10
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	Shocks can definitely help you out. But only if you only rub when you hit a bump hard. Then you can get a stiffer shock that will "limit travel" by applying more downward force from compression damping. A shock will have a certain force when it sees a velocity. Higher velocities will exert higher force. So when you install a stiff shock it can effectively "limit" your travel. From the Doetsch link above, I found an adustable shock that I think I will actually buy. I've been looking for some and I think I like these ones. They are a 9 position adjustable shock. That means you can keep adjusting it so it is the exact stiffness you want! Hope this helps. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

12-22-2003, 10:16 AM	#11
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Thanks Dinnut and Injected68LS1, that is exactly that problem I am having. It's only when I hit a good dip in the freewy or streets that causes the suspension to travel all the way up. Whatr is the number of those 9 way adjustable shocks you found? They sound exactly like what I am looking for. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

12-22-2003, 12:54 PM	#12
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	You should actually give them a call. It looks like they have 4 or 5 different styles of shocks that you can order with the adjustable valving. Let me know what they recommended so I can get some too. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

12-22-2003, 07:33 PM	#13
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Will do, Injected, I'll let you know. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

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