47-55.1 front shocks

[nvrdone]

I'm looking for recommendations for front shocks for my '49. Years ago I replaced the lever shocks with tube shocks & brackets for a 1950. So I'm looking for tube shocks, not the lever action shocks.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[mr48chev]

A Monroe 5826 is the base level starting point shock for a 51/55.1.

I don't have access to the catalogs to see what upgrades from that 5826 would be as far as a good gas shock that gives a better but not too stiff ride. You don't want those fat old Monroe magnum 500 shocks that are way too stiff for a 3100 by any stretch.

Worse part is that anymore I don't even know who to send you to in Yakima that could find a same size but upgrade shock that same size.

[nvrdone]

Rob: Thanks for the quick come back. Auto Zone shows a Monroe 5826 available. They also show a KYB 343137 gas shock available.
So I now have a starting point. Just need to verify extended and compressed lengths.

[mr48chev]

Here are the specs on both the monroe 5626 and the KYB 343137 and that KYB shock looks to be a bit short compared to the monroe. About 2 inches less total length.

[nvrdone]

OK, I've been doing some digging.
The front shocks have a p/n of P140D no brand i.d.
The extended length is 15.75 and the compressed length is 9.75. This is measured on the shaft where the washer and rubber bushing mount.
After compressing and extending the shock, they are both stiff so maybe I don't need shocks. I'm now thinking that the springs may be worn out. Now to find some one in Yakima area that can rebuild springs.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

[mr48chev]

White front on south First is the go to shop to have springs rebuilt or repaired. They will try to sell you new springs first though as it is hot as hades in that shop and they only run he forge once a week in the summer. They made me a main leaf for my trailer a few years back about this time of year. Their work is top rate though.

I guess now is the time to ask what the exact issue is. if it is riding too stiff or too hard the spring packs can be taken apart and cleaned up and wear spots smoothed out to give a better ride. Outside of replacing bushings and rearching that is what they will do.

The truck trinket vendors sell Teflon strips to but between the leaves to make them slide against each other a lot smoother too.

[nvrdone]

The problem is every time I hit any kind of bump the front end bounces all over. I thought it was shocks, but it doesn't look like that is a problem. The springs are old - like 50 + years since I installed them. Pins and shackles don't show any major wear. I think I will go by White front and see what they think. No, I'm not going to convert to IFS. I like my dropped I beam.

[leegreen]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

After compressing and extending the shock, they are both stiff so maybe I don't need shocks.

I replaced an almost new set of acdelco on the back of my truck that were quite stiff when I tried to move them by hand but did nothing to dampen movement. I could barely move them by hand but jumping in the bed of the truck they were clearly doing nothing. might have been fakes under and ACD sticker

[mr48chev]

The best test is to just (better get a young guy to do it) bounce on the bumper a couple of bounces and jump off and see how many Oscillation it takes to settle down. Older guys from Central Texas who were around in the early 70's probably a guy named John Lamb in Waco who had a muffler shop and advertised shocks that way. He was a big dude and would bounce on the back of a car and it would Oscillate for several seconds before settling down and then he showed the "after". I don't think the car had a shock one on it the first time around though. Shocks aren't going to compensate and help leaf springs that are binding up against each other and not sliding smoothly against each other though.

[nvrdone]

That's why I now will look into springs. The front springs I have were made by MorDrop in Oakland CA 50 + years ago so they may need to be replaced

[mr48chev]

I'd think that most likely they just need a clean up and dress up. And maybe some teflon strips between the leaves.