TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-06-12 09:46 AM - Post#2245103
Alrighty, my 84 Chevy 1/2 ton is in need of some new shocks, Either the stock ones that came from the factory or they are from the early 90s. Not really sure which one. My dad doesn't remember when he replaced or if he replaced them at all when he bought the pickup brand new. Question is should i just go with the cheap monroe ones form o'reillys or what??
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Bad Bowtie
Senior Member
Posts: 4245
Age: 40
Loc: TX
Reg: 07-04-03
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 07-06-12 01:06 PM - Post#2245163
In response to TruckinChance
What do you use the truck for, how long are you keeping it??
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-06-12 01:16 PM - Post#2245166
In response to Bad Bowtie
Just drive it back and forth to work. And it hardly ever sees a heavy load. My dad isnt gonna get rid of it anytime soon. He bought brand new in 83.
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-06-12 01:48 PM - Post#2245177
In response to TruckinChance
But, I want it to ride nice. I go over alot of railroad tracks on the way to work. lol
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 gchemist
Senior Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 20826
Loc: Austin, TX 78748
Reg: 05-09-00
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07-06-12 02:19 PM - Post#2245195
In response to TruckinChance
Monroe GasMatics will be fine.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'96 GMC Jimmy LS |
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-06-12 02:48 PM - Post#2245217
In response to gchemist
These?
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MON6/33 03...
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Bad Bowtie
Senior Member
Posts: 4245
Age: 40
Loc: TX
Reg: 07-04-03
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 07-07-12 09:11 AM - Post#2245396
In response to TruckinChance
Or Gabrielle shocks... 
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75gmck25
Contributor
Posts: 345
Loc: Alexandria, VA
Reg: 12-25-07
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07-07-12 01:01 PM - Post#2245485
In response to Bad Bowtie
There are at least 3 manufacturers (e.g., Monroe, Gabriel, etc.) that have a heavy duty gas-charged shock for about $30-40, and any of them should work fine. In many cases there will be a rebate on one brand or the other, and that often makes the choice for me.
You can spend a lot more on shocks for your truck, but its not worth it for your type of driving. You should also be able to do the installation yourself with normal hand tools.
Bruce
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John
Chevytalk Moderator & "3rd Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 7196
Age: 44
Loc: Montgomery, AL
Reg: 01-15-02
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07-07-12 09:00 PM - Post#2245576
In response to 75gmck25
I've only bought one pair of gas charged shocks before, they were too stiff. JMHO.
1979 2wd K5 Blazer, 350/TH350
1985 4x4 M1009 K5 Blazer, 6.2/TH400 |
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gchemist
Senior Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 20826
Loc: Austin, TX 78748
Reg: 05-09-00
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07-08-12 05:50 AM - Post#2245629
In response to Bad Bowtie
Or Gabrielle shocks...
Oh yea, forgot about Gabrielle. I like them too.
Most shocks need a week or so to settle in. I like to drive mine down a bad road to break them in faster. 
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'96 GMC Jimmy LS |
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-09-12 12:51 PM - Post#2246162
In response to gchemist
Autozone has the gabriels right??
I just want the ride to be nicer than what it is now.
Also, is it really worth getting a rear sway bar? I just put new moog bushings on the front.
Edited by TruckinChance on 07-09-12 12:52 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gchemist
Senior Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 20826
Loc: Austin, TX 78748
Reg: 05-09-00
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07-09-12 01:04 PM - Post#2246164
In response to TruckinChance
Polygraphite bushings on the A-arms will help more than a rear sway bar. I like the bushings on my truck. Add traction bars like mine and you will feel like a paint can ball in the cab!!
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'96 GMC Jimmy LS |
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-09-12 01:09 PM - Post#2246165
In response to gchemist
What brand of bushing you get for your truck?? My truck really need a full front end rebuild kit. But i simply do not have the time to do all that in a weekend. lol
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-09-12 01:33 PM - Post#2246175
In response to TruckinChance
whats the difference between the gabriel pro guard and the ultra? Beside the price. lol
Or could i just get the ultras for the front and pro guard for the rear?
Edited by TruckinChance on 07-09-12 01:43 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gchemist
Senior Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 20826
Loc: Austin, TX 78748
Reg: 05-09-00
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07-09-12 03:04 PM - Post#2246243
In response to TruckinChance
I ordered the entire front suspension kit from http://www.p-s-t.com/Products_2/Products/P olygraph...
I started with used A-arms from a suburban. I had to swap one out anyway because of road damage. My truck was too at the time for a huge rut in the road. The arm took out a long stretch of road. I had asphalt rocks all up in the engine bay. I was finding rocks all over the bay when I tore it down to the frame.
Follow the suburban arms rebuild here:
Follow the install here:
I've never installed a mixed set of shocks. You'll get the most gain from a suspension rebuild. Factory rubber is so soft after all the years of driving.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'96 GMC Jimmy LS |
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John
Chevytalk Moderator & "3rd Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 7196
Age: 44
Loc: Montgomery, AL
Reg: 01-15-02
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07-09-12 03:16 PM - Post#2246250
In response to gchemist
My 79 has new springs, hydraulic shocks, and stock style rubber bushings, front and rear. The ride is very nice. You can upgrade all of the above to firmer stuff, but for comfort just replacing what you have with new is hard to beat. 
1979 2wd K5 Blazer, 350/TH350
1985 4x4 M1009 K5 Blazer, 6.2/TH400 |
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gchemist
Senior Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 20826
Loc: Austin, TX 78748
Reg: 05-09-00
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07-09-12 03:21 PM - Post#2246254
In response to John
Very true. Mine is meant to push the limits of speed and performance. The tires give away to traction loss and skidding before the suspension gives way. It's a harsher ride for daily driving. Weight is needed to smooth the stiff suspension. I almost need a five point harness to stay on the bench seat. 
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'96 GMC Jimmy LS |
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John
Chevytalk Moderator & "3rd Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 7196
Age: 44
Loc: Montgomery, AL
Reg: 01-15-02
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07-09-12 03:28 PM - Post#2246259
In response to gchemist
All I'm building mine to do is long smoky burnouts. 
1979 2wd K5 Blazer, 350/TH350
1985 4x4 M1009 K5 Blazer, 6.2/TH400 |
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-10-12 08:52 AM - Post#2246529
In response to John
Well I just want mine to take a corner without me holding onto the door. lol. And be able to go over small or medium size bumps without an issue. My drive to work has alot of lil bumps and railroad tracks. But on the way home is all highway. So should i get a set of mix shocks or get the same all the way around? But like i said, I dont have any time to rebuild the whole front end until i get my lil ranger up and going to start driving for a daily.
When all said and done, this truck will have a 4.8 or 5.3 with a decent turbo, lowered probably 3 in the front and 6 in the back. I dont wanna c-notch the frame. It will be raced sometimes, but i would rather it handle better then go in a straight line. But all that wont come for quite a few years. lol. Soo for now just some new shocks ought to be fine right?
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John
Chevytalk Moderator & "3rd Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 7196
Age: 44
Loc: Montgomery, AL
Reg: 01-15-02
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07-11-12 06:37 AM - Post#2246907
In response to TruckinChance
I'd get some stock replacements from Auto Zone or Advanced Auto or such, pick the brand name and price that apeals to you most. If you're going to be lowering it in the next year or three, there's no need for anything special because they'll be discarded then. In the meantime they'll serve well.
1979 2wd K5 Blazer, 350/TH350
1985 4x4 M1009 K5 Blazer, 6.2/TH400 |
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TruckinChance
Contributor
Posts: 490
Age: 24
Reg: 03-26-08
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07-11-12 10:00 AM - Post#2247000
In response to John
How long do shocks usually last??
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gchemist
Senior Chevytalk Moderator
Posts: 20826
Loc: Austin, TX 78748
Reg: 05-09-00
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07-11-12 02:52 PM - Post#2247110
In response to TruckinChance
About the life of a tire.
'83 Silverardo XST - ZZ4 powered
'96 GMC Jimmy LS |
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