Need rear shock location picture (leaf springs)

[ksshane]

My truck started its life (as Im told by the PO) as a step side with leaf springs. But it now has a fleetside bed on it.

Upon further inspection I found that the shocks were either broken or cut at the top and are just hanging there. Holding up by the rusty bolt just waiting to work their way loose and cause some serious damage.

So the easy fix would be... replace the shocks right... Thats what I fully planned on doing, but then I realized the upper shock mount does not align with the lower shock mount. The lower mount is straight up and down, and the upper is at an angle.
So I did some searching and found a picture on here of someones rear shocks mounted with the upper mounts at an angle. These are for the trucks with rear springs.. Not leafs like mine.

Did the frames come with both styles of shock mounts and they just decide if they are springs or leafs as it went down the assembly line?

Could someone with rear leaf springs take a picture of their rear shocks so I can see how they are mounted. If possible I would like to see a step side and a fleet side so I can see what all has been changed (or not changed) on my truck.

[C_Ruiz]

You can always relocate it with the kit?
I know ECE and porter built sell kits to do so for the front and rear, if the front interests you?
I also have leafs in the rear and opted for PB shock relocator kits front/rear.
Unfortunately, they're not installed yet. Im also installing airbags so it was easier for me to just get the kits. Hope that semi helps.
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[ksshane]

I just dont see where the shock would mount at the top. Unfortenatly the top of the old shocks are completly gone. The only thing I can think of is there are some holes in the frame itself that a bolt might fit in, but Id like to see a photo to see if thats the correct location or maybe if there is a bracket missing.

[ksshane]

I have a picture at home (at work right now...shhhhh) that Ill post. Maybe it will help explain what Im talking about.

[So.Cal.Super]

If someone doesn't post one I will take one when I get home in a few hours.

I have a fleet side

[ksshane]

much appreciated

[ksshane]

Here is a picture of the rear. On the drivers side I see a hole in the frame that might allow for a bolt to tie into the shock, but I don't see a hole in the passenger side to allow for a bolt.

As you can see I have 2 brackets at the top that there is no way my shocks will align to.

[no_rice]

that looks nothing like the factory mounts on my 70 gmc shortbox leaf. something is wrong there.

[lolife99]

Are the leaf spring hangers bolted on or riveted on?

[ksshane]

Bolted on...

So you think the PO bolted in leaf springs, and this was originally a spring rear end?

Im starting to worry more and more about this truck

[68gmsee]

Here's a couple pics of my 68 GMC. The right side and left side are identical.

[ksshane]

I don't see a bracket like that in my frame.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by ksshane

Bolted on...

So you think the PO bolted in leaf springs, and this was originally a spring rear end?

Im starting to worry more and more about this truck

Yes.
Because the upper shock brackets are still riveted on.
Is the trailing arm crossmember still in place?

[lolife99]

If you could locate some factory "leaf spring" upper brackets,... You could bolt them on to your existing frame.

[ksshane]

it does have a crossmember, but there are no brackets for trailing arms

[lolife99]

You need leaf spring upper shock mounts,... or,...
trailing arms, brackets, coil springs, coil spring lower shock mounts, and a trailing arm rearend

[lolife99]

Can you post some pics of the trailing arm crossmember?

[ksshane]

Yea, Im looking online for upper mounts.

I can only guess why the PO replaced all of this. All he told me was the step side bed was rusted really bad and a friend found this fleetside bed so they changed it out.

Im thinking there is much more to the story now.

[ksshane]

Oh, and thanks for your help Lolife99

[68gmsee]

Might be a frame from a different year truck. Could still be okay if the proper location brackets are there and the proper shocks used or you could make or have someone make you the upper brackets.

btw: that are some heavy duty rear springs.

[68 TT]

My 69 Chevy C10 was optioned with the leaf springs and I just converted it to trailing arm. It had the front trailing arm crossmember with the mount holes for the carrier bearing and front trailing arm mounts but no brackets on it. The upper shock mounts are just like the pics 68gmsee posted.

The leaf spring mount brackets have locating ridges molded into the frame rails that are not on the trailing arm frames too. See first pic.

The bump stop brackets on the trailing arm frame are in a different spot and the panhard bar mount is not present on the leaf spring frames either. See second pic. These are the trailing arm parts bolted onto my leaf spring frame.

You have the trailing arm shock mount/spring reinforcement crossmember in your frame so it was originally a trailing arm frame if the crossmember is riveted in. They may have removed the front brackets and crossmember for exhaust clearance.