Look what I found. This truck is such a hack job.

[hey its me]

I guess I never bothered to look at the shocks since I planned on replacing them soon anyways.. Who knows how long I've been driving around like this lol

[bbbc10]

What makes this a hack job?

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

What makes this a hack job?

Exactly the same thing I thought.

Yes, that's not great. But it could have happened to anyone of us at any time.

[slotard]

I doubt it mounted to the bed factory

[enaberif]

You can see the normal mount hole further behind the shock.

[daddyjeep]

It's kinda hard to tell by the pic, but it does look like it's mounted to the bed floor.

[bbbc10]

Ok and? This is nothing new to our year trucks man....

[68Timber]

I think it's just broke free. It looks like it's rubbing the bottom of the bed.

[Front Range]

Looks like he's dealing with several issues at once on that truck and it's just frustration boiling up. Hang in there and take one at a time, you'll get it buttoned up eventually.

If it makes you feel any better I imagine most guys here have endured fixing up some dumb crap done by previous owners.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by Front Range

Looks like he's dealing with several issues at once on that truck and it's just frustration boiling up. Hang in there and take one at a time, you'll get it buttoned up eventually.

If it makes you feel any better I imagine most guys here have endured fixing up some dumb crap done by previous owners.

Ha, no kidding!! Other than some of my first trucks in early 80s,I don't think I've had any of mine in last 20 years or so that I didn't have to fix dumb crap done by PO. But in the same breath,I'm a cheap sob too,so most of the trucks I've picked up for free or very cheap too.Its a challenge that way too...

[cheepin]

Not hack. Just broken off the frame. Common problem on the rear shocks.

[hey its me]

Originally Posted by Front Range

Looks like he's dealing with several issues at once on that truck and it's just frustration boiling up. Hang in there and take one at a time, you'll get it buttoned up eventually.

If it makes you feel any better I imagine most guys here have endured fixing up some dumb crap done by previous owners.

That about sums it up. After soldering hacked wires that were twisted together, fixing the heater hoses which were routed wrong, discovering a stripped stud on the p/s pump, then noticing the shock dangling there, just in one day.. that's why I say hack job lol. It is a pretty nice looking truck on the outside though. Slowly fixing things. It will get there. Feel free to recommend some decent shocks, as I'll be buying some soon. Are there any at the parts store (napa/O'reilys) worth buying? Looking to make this a decent handling truck that can tow.

Thanks- Ian

[slotard]

If you're willing to spend the money I'd go for Bilsteins. They're around $100 each, online Napa doesn't list em but OReilly does. There are reasonable cheaper options too, but I'm in the buy once cry once camp.

[barry1982]

You do have to be careful.... and sometimes lucky when picking up an old truck. And yes, there are "Hacks" out there. I bought an 85 a few years back, and decided to check the brakes first thing. Had a hard time pulling the rear drums off. Discovered the rear axle seals were leaking, and the gear oil caused the brake linings to swell. Rather than repair the seals/brakes properly, the previous owner forced the shoes "tighter" (probably with a large c clamp) and tack welded them to the backing plate! That's what I call a "Hack"!

[Matt Man]

I had a "70" el camino with a 72 front clip that had the worst brakes that I have ever felt, after poking around under the dash, their was a bungee cord holding up the brake pedal... I was speechless... and angry.

[Scott76]

How about the 1/4-20 bolt in the motor mount on my new (to me) truck, or the exhaust 'mounted' with bailing wire, etc,etc. The list goes on and on. Hacks are everywhere, it's up to guys like us to make them right.

[andrewmp6]

That looks factory next to the hack jobs i have seen in the mini truck world,Or the favorite one was a donk they welded scrap metal on top the cast iron spindle for a lift.

[Front Range]

Originally Posted by barry1982

You do have to be careful.... and sometimes lucky when picking up an old truck. And yes, there are "Hacks" out there. I bought an 85 a few years back, and decided to check the brakes first thing. Had a hard time pulling the rear drums off. Discovered the rear axle seals were leaking, and the gear oil caused the brake linings to swell. Rather than repair the seals/brakes properly, the previous owner forced the shoes "tighter" (probably with a large c clamp) and tack welded them to the backing plate! That's what I call a "Hack"!

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

That looks factory next to the hack jobs i have seen in the mini truck world,Or the favorite one was a donk they welded scrap metal on top the cast iron spindle for a lift.

Damn....

[andrewmp6]

Google s10 forum hack jobs and have nightmares trust me lol.