K10 Shock Replacement

[Tance52]

I've searched for hours trying to find stock replacement shocks for a 1966 K10. One thread that said no one makes anything to fit the rear, but there are a lot of nice K10s around. So what shocks are you guys using? I'm looking for a smooth ride... not lifted and not stiff off-roading... although I do plan to pull a medium size trailer (nostalgia altered). Thank you for your replies.

[raylube]

I asked the same question and got no replys. I did search and found some links. It took a while to find
Try asking on the 4x4 subforum

[hambone61]

These fit my 64 k10

[diver]

rear monroe 66894,66710,66833 gabriel 85005 rancho rs5116,rs5143 front rancho rs5601,rs5008 gabriel 34944 try these numbers i have been looking for days.i am building 66 k10 frame up time for shocks..on my 65 k10 i have rancho.i want steel dust shield like oem had.1 more number delco 508-30. i am looking for best price now..ebay has best price good luck

[Tance52]

Thanks for your responses, I'll run down the leads and post whatever I find out.

[Tance52]

After searching through posts and getting responses from other K-10 owners (thanks Diver and Hambone), here’s what I ended up with.

Front
Front shocks can be found pretty easy. Some guys said they are running Rancho RS5601 with no modifications, but I decided to go with Monroe Gas Magnum 34944. They’re a direct bolt-in. The only problem was the top of the shock makes hard contact with the frame (shown in the picture by a yellow arrow). I don’t think it will affect shock operation, but only time will tell.


Rear
Some guys said they are running Rancho RS5143 rear shocks (with adapters, bushings, washers, etc). I went with Monroe Gas Magnum 66833 and had to make the following modifications.

On the bottom mount, the shock bushing is slightly too large so I cut some off both sides, and then used a ¾” bolt to install into the original frame mount.

The top of the shock needs nothing, but the problem is the truck frame mount is a 13/16” hole, and the ¾ bolt slops around. To fix this I enlarged the hole slightly to accept a ¾” I.D. pipe bushing, and bolted the shock in with a ¾” bolt.

[Tance52]

Also, here's the specs on the shocks I installed...

Front: Monroe 34944
1/2" Mount
Compressed: 11.7"
Extended: 18.3"

Rear: Monroe 66833
3/4" Mount
Compressed: 15.8"
Extended: 25"

[72cs20]

Excellent info! Thanks for posting this.

[Tance52]

Update on the front shocks....

Initially I said they were a direct bolt-in and I noted in the picture that the top of the shock rubs against the truck frame. That was one side, but later I went to install the other side and it was even tighter and also binding at the top. I guess there was a difference in the frame mounts from side to side. So yes, it works but it's a tight fit. It should be OK because the top portion of the shock doesn't move, it's just hard to get the top mount bolt lined up because it touches the truck frame.

[pheengurs]

could we have this thread
and this one http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697060
added to the faq in the shocks section?

[raylube]

Can you give more info on rear upper bushing please

[Tance52]

More info on rear shocks...

The rear shock mount (upper) is too big of an opening for a 3/4" bolt, so I enlarged the opening by using a rotary grinding wheel on a drill, then cut a thin piece of pipe with a 3/4" ID and inserted it into the frame opening.

The bottom of the rear shock was a bit too wide so I just used a saws-all to take a 1/4" off both sides and then used a 3/4" bolt in the original frame mount.