Lowering shock options

[72step]

So I've been thinking of lowering my truck on a budget by cutting a coil on front and finding tj springs for the rear. As far as shocks do I HAVE to buy lowered shocks or are there options like installing shocks off a car or something like that? Thanks.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Summit has some choices for lowered shocks.

[Figuarus]

Originally Posted by 72step

So I've been thinking of lowering my truck on a budget by cutting a coil on front and finding tj springs for the rear. As far as shocks do I HAVE to buy lowered shocks or are there options like installing shocks off a car or something like that? Thanks.

Pro comp makes shocks of practically every size. get a ride height measurement, and I can provide you with part numbers for the right length shocks. I have TJ coils on the rear of my 64, but i'm using stock length Monroe air shocks @ 80 PSI (because i have a long bed). They don't bottom out near as I can tell.

I would highly recommend looking around your local junkyard for Timbrens off an S-10 Blazer, or other truck with a towing package. You will have to trim them, but it makes life better to have them in place so you still retain a measure of safety when you bottom out (if you're heavily loaded)

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by 72step

So I've been thinking of lowering my truck on a budget by cutting a coil on front and finding tj springs for the rear. As far as shocks do I HAVE to buy lowered shocks or are there options like installing shocks off a car or something like that? Thanks.

I just installed these in the front of my '66 that has been lowered about 4" by the PO. http://www.monroe.com/en-US/catalog/e-Catalog/555002
They ride a lot better than the blown out originals. I found them recommended in a bunch of posts.. but one thing that wasn't mentioned was the bolt diameter is smaller than the stock shocks which took some dealing with ( I reused the old hardware but that required a little grinding and welding..) For $20 a pop I'm pretty happy all the same.

[72step]

Thanks for the info guys. I went ahead and cut 1 coil off the front and now the truck looks perfect. Not even going to bother with the rear. I drove it and it runs great. I could use some shorter shocks maybe but I didn't notice and issues. I definitely could use some newer shocks as these are the originals. Truck has 48k miles on it so they're not blown but are 60 years old lol.

[72step]

Here's a pic.

[PGSigns]

Truck looks good. You can run stock length front and back and have lots of choices. I am running the Belltech street performance on mine and really like the ride.
Jimmy

[LostMy65]

I'm still learning.
Is "Ride Height" as the truck sits unloaded?
So, if I didn't have any rear shocks, would the "Ride Height" measurement I need to take be from center of shock stud hole to center of shock stud hole?

[BR3W CITY]

Yes, but shocks usually list a compression and extension length. You just need to make sure that your ride height is fairly well within those specs. So an 11" ride height would usually use a shock listed like "compressed 8, extended 13"...if that makes sense at all.

Just avoid getting a shock thats way too short or long. You won't want a shock thats 11" extended, if 11" is your ride height...or a shock thats 10" compressed on an 11" ride height. Both will be bad.

It can get way more complicated than that, but thats the basic idea for most simple shocks.

[wilbur46]

I measured everything after installing 5" rear springs (TJs are too springy for me), and cutting 1 coil in the front. I like 'em down slightly in the rear.
I looked up all the commonly available at Kragen shocks, and used F150 fronts in the back on relocated mounts. I used stock chevys in the front and relocated the top mounts using the original rears mounts . Worked perfect!
OK I admit it . I am a total cheap skate
Rides real nice tho!
W