Shock recommendations for a 66?

[msg]

Looking to smooth out the ride and figured to start with shocks, then a sway bar! Never bought shocks before and wanted to know what would be the best bang for the buck without doing any modifications, just a simple replace.

Any brand or type better than others?

I'm guessing these have been on a few decades.

[markeb01]

I’m running these NAPA shocks (p/n 76817) on the front of my 1960 GMC (1975 front suspension) and they work great:



http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...817_0404905421

Back when I bought mine they were painted white (and have since been painted black). They were installed in 1997 and still work like new. 3 years ago I thought maybe they were too stiff, so I swapped them out for a new set of standard Gabriel Gas Ryder/Sport Ryder replacement shocks.

Those lasted one day. The ride was dreadful, like having no shocks at all. The truck handled like a 48 Pontiac on a straight road, and rebounded 3-4 cycles after easing over speed bumps. The smaller shocks also made the truck feel like the sway bar had been removed.

I have no recommendations for rear shocks as I’m stuck with what I can find for rear shocks because of the odd mounting arrangement on 60-62 rear suspensions.

[likaroc13]

Bumping this up for ya, as I don't see shocks discussed too often. I've thought about replacing the ones on my stock height '66, but they seem to be fine for now (it's not moving, ). No idea how old they are, & I'm not even sure what brand. I do know they're yellow though. Maybe some other folks will chime in!

[msg]

Thanks for the replies and the bump. I searched a bit but never saw a thread that touched on it.

I do wonder about the NAPA shock above and think its actually a Monroe 34817

Amazon.com: Monroe 34817 Gas-Magnum Shock...
While at Summit Racing this weekend I asked a counter guy and he looked these up and he recommended these Monroe Sensa-Trac with Position Sensitive Dampening.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mon-37049st

which appears to be the same shock that NAPA sells but at a higher price

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...049_0404905414


The costs are pretty similar but I was hoping someone might have some more info on the competition vs all Monroe..which may be what works best, just curious.

[bj383ss]

Don't know if this will really help you but I bought the Monroe Monro-Matic Plus shocks from O'reilly's and they made a huge difference. The shocks on mine were completely wasted. In the photo you can see one of the rear shocks compressed all the way down with no rebound as well as the two front shocks with the new ones right next to them.




Of course I just go all brand new tires so I'm sure that had a factor as well.



Here are the shocks

Front
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0077&ppt=C0035

Rear
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0077&ppt=C0035

Bret

[Rich 5150 69]

here`s a few notes that have been saved for those that are lowering your truck or even stock that want to source your own part number...


Mounting shocks at angles reduces the overall dampening effect of the shock. Reason being; the shock’s mechanisms will travel geometrically, less of a distance than that of the suspension system. Some vehicles (early model Land Cruisers, etc.) have their rear shocks mounted at about a 30-degree inward (inward = leaning toward the differential, not forward or aft-ward) angle, while others have their shocks mounted at a 20 degree angle or so forward and/or aft ward of the rear axle (e.g. Chevy, Jeep CJ’s, etc.). There are several reasons why this might be done. First, available space… regardless, if this is something you are going to do yourself, you’ll need to increase the static pressure of shock to mimic the shocks effectiveness of it being in a perpendicular location. Secondly, you can gain more suspension articulation than would normally be limited by the overall travel of the shock absorber if it were located perpendicular to that of mounting your shocks at an angle, if you don’t have room for a taller shock absorber. The charts here show the overall estimated reduced effectiveness of a raked shock absorber. However, these numbers should only be used as a rule of thumb as other factors such as the arc of the suspension cycle can factor in.

http://www.kyb.com/technical/documen...onsSecured.pdf

http://www.monroe.com/assets/downloa...engthSheet.pdf

Something to consisder when lowering is shock relocators as well.
At stock height our shocks are about 38 degrees to verticle, at a 4 inch drop they drop to about 42 degrees from verticle at full extension, so considering if you have a load in it with a four inch drop your shock value drops to only 68 percent or lower.

[likaroc13]

Not sure it helps, but I came across the pics that show what I have. Like I said though, not exactly sure what they are since I'm not with the truck.

Front:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...0/100_2396.jpg
Rear:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...0/100_2333.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...0/100_2334.jpg

[msg]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

you can gain more suspension articulation than would normally be limited by the overall travel of the shock absorber if it were located perpendicular to that of mounting your shocks at an angle

I never thought about that but it makes sense. So with the original set up - which I think I have - from my pics its close to a 40 angle. I dont think I have the skills to rerwork the mounts to be perpendicular, so I'll have to switch out the old ones and hope for the best which should still be way better than what I got. Now back to trying to decide on which shocks.

[BR3W CITY]

QA1 Proma Stars, like a boss.
Not cheap but very adjustable, nice bushings or bearings, and can be switched to coil over or remote dampening control. Makes a huge difference when sitting dropped on a high profile tire.

[AcampoDave]

I use Monroe gas Magnums for my shortbed. They are for heavier duty aplications and the stiff ride reflects that. However, the truck feels quite surefooted and they compliment the stability of my front swaybar. My front end is lower than stock by about 1" due to a squarebody crossmember conversion with stock height '66 springs, and the rear has 1 and 3/8 inch axle blocks which, as you probably know, maintain stock shock geometry. I give the shocks a thumbs up and the price was right too, but don't expect a car type ride, because after all, they are pickup shocks.