Bilstein Shocks for '63-'72

[VictoriaHardware]

Part Numbers

I just completed the installation of Bilstein 4600 Series shocks after a lot of research on this and other web sites. It was not straightforward but can be done for the ’63-’72 C10 with front and rear coil springs. The truck in this case was a ’66 C10 statically lowered 3/3.

First of all, numerous places list the front part number 24-192941. I found number 24-011853 as well but it is no longer valid, being superseded this number. This is a gas charged monotube damper with a 46mm diameter piston. Extended/compressed lengths are 15 1/2” / 10 3/8”. These are dimensions similar for a truck with stock ride height. In this case the front suspension was lowered with a drop spindle only, so the shock length required did not change from stock. You would want to measure your truck to see if this part would work or not.

Most places list no part for the rear however. Some literature lists 24-0002486 and show it as a current part number for the front of a ’60-‘82 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40. After calling Bilstein they gave me the critical dimensions and it seemed like it would work. Extended/compressed lengths are 18 7/16” / 12 3/16”. These are dimensions similar for a truck with stock ride height. In this case the rear suspension travel was measured and it would work. The truck had ECE shock relocating brackets which helped the situation. More on that later.

So I ordered a full set. There are numerous places that carry them, you just have to search for best price and availability. Many places list them but they are on back order. Here is what was received. The fronts have the upper mounting stud pre-attached to replace the factory stud. The rears have rubber grommets in both ends, but no metal bushing like the front lower does. More on that later.

[VictoriaHardware]

Front Installation

The fronts are straightforward. The only unusual part is that you need to remove the factory upper mounting stud. When installing the Bilstein stud you need to index it such that the flats are near horizontal before putting it in the frame hole. That is because you need to have an open end 15/16” wrench on the flats outboard of the frame while tightening the nut on the inboard side of the frame. The wrench locations in the picture attempt to show that. The outboard wrench will only fit in that horizontal position.

[VictoriaHardware]

Rear Installation

The rears need some fabrication in order to work due to the lack of metal bushings and size. The rubber bushing have in inside diameter of 5/8” while the mounting bolts are ½”. Also without any metal there is little to stop the axial compression of the bushing. Fortunately there is a simple solution. What is needed is a steel tube with 5/8” OD, 1/2” ID, and 1 3/8” long. My second-favorite web site McMaster.com stocks exactly that size tubing in 1008 mild steel in a 3’ section- p/n 9220K381. So four sections were cut and carefully sanded to be exactly 1 3/8” long. Each was pressed into the rubber bushings and the shocks were ready.

The shock’s upper eye went easily into the ECE relocated shock mount. That mount moves the pivot point rearward to bring the shock closer to vertical to compensate for the body being lowered.

[VictoriaHardware]

Rear Installation

The original lower shock mount bracket was relocated 1” down to regain 1” of shock travel. This was done by using a 1” thick aluminum block- the same ones used to lower the body. This was done because the factory bracket mounts the shock eye in double shear, a superior design to the many aftermarket mounts that use single shear. The aftermarket mounts and the relocated OE mount both put the pivot point in the same spot (this is not true of the one that put the shock behind the axle centerline).

So it is possible to put Bilstein shocks on stock or moderately lowered trucks with a little extra work.

[BigRed76]

This is a great write-up, thanks for the info. I have the bilsteins on the front of my 71 right now and they are awesome. How much is yours lowered in the rear?

[VictoriaHardware]

My '66 is dropped about 4" in the rear- springs 3" and blocks 1"

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by VictoriaHardware

My '66 is dropped about 4" in the rear- springs 3" and blocks 1"

That is good to know. Mine has a 4" drop spring and 1" block in the rear, so maybe they could work on mine too, although I don't have the 1" block for the lower shock mount like you do.

[Grumpy old man]

Anyone running the Bilstein shocks ?

[SCOTI]

I see this was posted a while back but was there a declaration somewhere that stated one could not run Bilstein shocks on one of these 1st gen C10's?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Anyone running the Bilstein shocks ?

I run them on my vehicles. My Dually has them; my 99 3/4 ton CCSWB OBS, my previous '90 single cab SWB OBS, my modified '64, & the Malibu. I also ran them on my old '68.

Definitely a good quality shock.

[Grumpy old man]

Well, We'll find out just as soon as FED EX Shows up today . I've already installed the rear shock relocator top bracket and I'm using the 63-66 Rear shock lower double shear brackets on my 67, fingers crossed , Summit shows the front fit I have Bilsteins on my daily driver 1995 GMC K2500 and I like the way they work .

Posted by GMC PAULS 1/6/2016

Re: Quality Shocks for 3/5 drop
" I'm surprised none of our customers have responded as we've told all that ask.
ANY, I REPEAT AMY, shock that is made for your stock 1967-72 truck at normal ride height is ALSO the correct shock for those trucks with front & rear drop kits of ANY DROP Height. So if you use 1-5 1/2" drop in the front you still use the same shock. If you use 1-6" drop in the rear you still use the same shock. ECE, No limit, Classic, Brothers, everyone is selling shocks that are made to stock travel specifications. Now your asking why this is true. The reason is with any of the drops I listed above the stock shocks minimum & maximum travel distances are not exceeded. Since the shocks travel limits are still within spec, the stock shock length is still used.
NOW in the rear once you hit about a 5" rear drop the shock has become to horizontal to absorb vertical travel effectively. So you then install rear shock relocators in the rear to make the shocks more vertical again so that they can then absorb the vertical travel of the truck. ( It's also my understanding though I have not tried it yet, that if you move the rear lower shock bracket from left side to the right, and the right side to the left this will also correct the shock angle back to a more vertical position eliminating the need for rear shock relocators. ) But again I've not checked this myself on just swapping the lower mounts from 1 side to the other. I'm just reporting what I've heard from several low budget builders.
So everyone should determine the type of ride that you want based on you and your driving habits then look up the shocks and look for comfort, sport, off road etc.... based on your driving style & preference's and then purchase the stock shock for your truck in that type of shock. KYB GR-2 soft comfortable ride, KYB gas a just shocks give a firmer ride , etc.....
Then buy from who you choose. If your already buying parts from 1 location and the shocks they have only cost a little more than the cheapest place you've found get the shocks from where your buying your other parts unless your getting free shipping.
Hope everyone is Healthy, Happy, & Prosperous in 2016 and beyond. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693745
Paul @ GMCPauls " __________________
Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts
Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM2016

[Grumpy old man]

This will be an upgrade for my 67 short bed .

[Willie Makeit]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

This will be an upgrade for my 67 short bed .

can you share the part numbers Grumpy? Or, are they the same as posted above? Thanks!

[68 P.O.S.]

What do you think of them so far? I plan on eventually dumping the KYBs for these.