madmann26

iTrader: (7)

After running into a small issue with my Belltech front shocks, I decided to give the front end a little redo.

Front

1. Spindles
2. Belltech 2in springs cut 1/2 coil
3. Shocks (will explain below)

Rear
1. Swapped out 3 leaf pack for 5 leaf pack + 2in drop shackles
2. Gabriel 49155 air shocks at 100psi
3. Cnotch
4. Flip kit

The problems with the front shocks were that the tbar bushings where pulling through on one side of the shocks. I called Belltech, paid for more bushings only to find out it's damn near impossible to get the old tbars out. They're molded into the tbar.

After putting the 5 leaf pack on, the rear got very bouncey even with the Belltech Street shocks. Alot of folks said air shocks worked fine....others said no.

Fine.

I do a fair amount of reading and I'd read somewhere that GM B-body car shocks would fit our trucks for the front.

The rear air shocks came from an 80 C10.

I went down to Autozone and had them pull a shock for a 72 Impala. When sitting side by side, there is very little difference. It's a Monroe Proguard shock.



I put them on along with the air shocks, had an alignment done (had to replace an upper balljoint and tie rod end) and I'll tell you it rides and drives like an absolute dream. No bottoming out, firm, yet predictable handling and smooth as butter on the road.

I've kinda fell in love with the truck all over again.

How it sits today.

ezdaar

iTrader: (1)

Neat! I may copy your build. My truck rides like a 2x4 down a speed bump test track.
With square tires.

About20ninj45

If I could like this comment 40 times I would! Thanks

madmann26

iTrader: (7)

Feel free. I also have front and rear sway bars and a short end link set on the front sway bar.

It really does ride and drive very very nice.

BigKID

iTrader: (5)

I am surprised stiffening up the rear produced a better ride.

madmann26

iTrader: (7)

I like a more firm ride. Some people don't. I can drop down to 60psi without a noticeable change in stance and it still feels very nice.

With the BTs on the back, it bounced so much it was I had bad shocks. (We've all seen them on the road.....bouncing 3-4 times before they stopped)

truefire04

i know this thread is old, but just want to thank you on the info given... helped me out a lot... i used shocks for a 72 impala on the front of my truck and shocks for a 80 C10 for the rear.


this was what i used for the front of the truck...

Gabriel 77375 MAX CONTROL

and this was what i used for the rear,

Monroe 58578 Monroe Load Adjust Shock Absorber

the reason i used those for the rear is because i didnt want to have to notch the rear, and these did the job i wanted them to.

truck is lowered 3/4 with Belltech 3" drop coins in the front and a flip kit in the rear with 2" lift shackles to net me the 4"s

madmann26

iTrader: (7)

truefire04

it rides great, and since im not notched it doesn't bottom out anymore. thanks again for all the info.
im still rocking the 3 leaf pack tho.