Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

swissarmychainsaw · 06-30-2009, 01:38 PM

Hey there, I'm new to the truck world, and this site. My Gradpa and Dad used to have Chevy and GMC trucks when I was a kid, so I thought it was finally time to do it myself!

I picked up a clean 1984 Silverado short bed, and it needs a few things.
307, R700r4, 115K miles.

On the freeway this thing bounces like a beach ball. Nice big slow oscillations.
I figured it needed shocks, so I went to Meineke and put on "stock replacement" Monroe shocks that were about $35 bucks each.

*NOW* On the freeway it bounces like a beach ball. The new shocks seem to make no difference at all.

I am no suspension wizard, but what did I just miss? I don't mind spending some money to make this right, but I don't want to waste it either.

So...I'm asking for some guidance here.
Thanks,
--Nick

**LEEVON** · 06-30-2009, 02:56 PM

coil springs do wear out, you can get a new stock height set for $60-75. Also, if your truck is not equipped with a front sway bar it is a HUGE (and necessary in my opinion) upgrade. I would start with the coil springs though.

swissarmychainsaw · 06-30-2009, 04:37 PM

Sounds like a plan. Where did you get your sway bar from?
--Nick

**N2TRUX** · 06-30-2009, 08:41 PM

You can buy them aftermarket from several of our forum vendors. The most common approach is to locate a used one and bolt it on. The standard is 1" and 3/4 ton trucks, Burbs had 1-1/8".

What you will want to know going in is the "stands" for the frame clamps are riveted to the frame.

If you are staying at stock height, you will probably want to acquire the frame stands. If you plan to lower the truck, then you can use low profile stands offered by E.C.E. . If your going really low, you can just bolt the bushing clamps directly to the frame.

SCOTI · 06-30-2009, 10:37 PM

I think 'standard' is 1.0625". The 3/4 & 1-ton HD bar is 1.25". They're typically found under Suburbans & duallys.

**N2TRUX** · 07-01-2009, 10:22 AM

Your the numbers guy so I won't question you, but I could have swore it was 1 1/8".

protrash64 · 07-01-2009, 11:18 AM

Swissarmy, I have to throw this out here. After your shock upgrade, did you drive down the same freeway? It could be the road and wheelbase combo of your truck. I used to drive a fullsize Chevy and an extended cab S10....road just fine. I would go to work and get in a long-bed Ranger and it would be bouncing just like you describe, like a boat on a lake, on the same freeway. Mite be something to consider.

06-30-2009, 01:38 PM	#1
swissarmychainsaw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: san francisco, ca (east bay) Posts: 674	Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? Hey there, I'm new to the truck world, and this site. My Gradpa and Dad used to have Chevy and GMC trucks when I was a kid, so I thought it was finally time to do it myself! I picked up a clean 1984 Silverado short bed, and it needs a few things. 307, R700r4, 115K miles. On the freeway this thing bounces like a beach ball. Nice big slow oscillations. I figured it needed shocks, so I went to Meineke and put on "stock replacement" Monroe shocks that were about $35 bucks each. NOW On the freeway it bounces like a beach ball. The new shocks seem to make no difference at all. I am no suspension wizard, but what did I just miss? I don't mind spending some money to make this right, but I don't want to waste it either. So...I'm asking for some guidance here. Thanks, --Nick

06-30-2009, 02:56 PM	#2
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? coil springs do wear out, you can get a new stock height set for $60-75. Also, if your truck is not equipped with a front sway bar it is a HUGE (and necessary in my opinion) upgrade. I would start with the coil springs though. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

06-30-2009, 04:37 PM	#3
swissarmychainsaw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: san francisco, ca (east bay) Posts: 674	Re: Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? Sounds like a plan. Where did you get your sway bar from? --Nick

06-30-2009, 08:41 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? You can buy them aftermarket from several of our forum vendors. The most common approach is to locate a used one and bolt it on. The standard is 1" and 3/4 ton trucks, Burbs had 1-1/8". What you will want to know going in is the "stands" for the frame clamps are riveted to the frame. If you are staying at stock height, you will probably want to acquire the frame stands. If you plan to lower the truck, then you can use low profile stands offered by E.C.E. . If your going really low, you can just bolt the bushing clamps directly to the frame. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

06-30-2009, 10:37 PM	#5
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,997	Re: Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? I think 'standard' is 1.0625". The 3/4 & 1-ton HD bar is 1.25". They're typically found under Suburbans & duallys. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

07-01-2009, 10:22 AM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? Your the numbers guy so I won't question you, but I could have swore it was 1 1/8". __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

07-01-2009, 11:18 AM	#7
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Suspension Help 84 Shorty Silverado!? Swissarmy, I have to throw this out here. After your shock upgrade, did you drive down the same freeway? It could be the road and wheelbase combo of your truck. I used to drive a fullsize Chevy and an extended cab S10....road just fine. I would go to work and get in a long-bed Ranger and it would be bouncing just like you describe, like a boat on a lake, on the same freeway. Mite be something to consider. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device



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