drop shocks?

[riz]

what is the best shocks out there for a truck lowered 4.5/5 in the front and 6/7 in the rear? Is it better to go drop shocks or regular shocks with shock extenders? I'm looking for the best ride possible..... thanks in advance.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by riz

what is the best shocks out there for a truck lowered 4.5/5 in the front and 6/7 in the rear? Is it better to go drop shocks or regular shocks with shock extenders? I'm looking for the best ride possible..... thanks in advance.

The 'best' shock is subjective.

Ride quality comes from proper valving & stroke/travel. Many 'drop' shocks are usually just shorter shocks which limits the travel. If relocation brackets for mounting are available, they would be a better option.

As for quality of shocks? I like Bilsteins for off the shelf replacement shocks. An even better choice would be Ride Techs HQ series shocks. With the HQ's, you can dial in the resistance to your preference & they can be ordered in multiple lengths to obtain the best fit for your set-up.

[Bobby Pootz]

Having just done my rear flip, the shock extender bracket is a must. It will reposition your shock properly. The front only needs shorter shocks.

I should note, that the stock bolt on my 84 would not fit through the hole in the shock extender which is a Western Chassis. So if you might want to be sure you have all the right parts when you start.

The shocks are subjective. I used McGaughy's but only cause I bought the kit. If I have the funds in the near future, I will probably upgrade to RideTech HQ shocks.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Bobby Pootz

Having just done my rear flip, the shock extender bracket is a must. It will reposition your shock properly. The front only needs shorter shocks.

I should note, that the stock bolt on my 84 would not fit through the hole in the shock extender which is a Western Chassis. So if you might want to be sure you have all the right parts when you start.

The shocks are subjective. I used McGaughy's but only cause I bought the kit. If I have the funds in the near future, I will probably upgrade to RideTech HQ shocks.

Front shock relocation brackets are available or easily built allowing you to utilize original length shocks. All of my dropped trucks have been done this way.

[Nick_R_23]

My truck is lowered 4.5" front and 6" rear (1 coil cut from stock springs, 2.5" drop spindles, and flip kit with thicker bracket). I made my own drop brackets for the rear axle and used stock replacement Napa-branded gas shocks. I actually ended up using the same stock replacement Napa shocks for the front too, without a bracket. They listed the specs online and it turned out it was actually a bit shorter than the factory shock. I checked the A-arm travel and the shock still had movement when the A-arm was both bottomed out and at full extension. Might be an off the shelf solution if you're willing to do a bit of research?

[riz]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bilstein-B6...ZZg~2w&vxp=mtr

Are these the bilsteins you're talking about? How are these used on lowered trucks? I'm thinking shock extensions in the rear.... how about the front?

[photo-tom]

I've always bought Bilsteins. Can't do wrong. They don't make a "drop shock" specifically for the chevs, so I found a guy that sourced the proper sizes from a Dodge Dakota and Cherokee:

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...t.cfm?id=15055
https://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/...t.cfm?id=14389