Rear Shocks on lowered truck

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williamjohn21
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Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by williamjohn21 »

Is everybody that has a lowered bump side running a shorter rear shock? If so please help me with a part number.. I am looking to go with Bilstein, but want to hear opinions of both good and bad.
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Rockybar
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by Rockybar »

Bump, for wondering the same question. Just did the shackle flip on mine.
1967 F100
390, 3 spd on floor
(my first ford, so have patience, I'm a Chevy guy)
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texrodder
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by texrodder »

Not sure on the bIlstein's but I use monroe's fittment catalog, it allows you to pick upper and lower mounting options,length and type of shock you want and gives you a part number. You might get the monroe part number and cross reference it to a bilstein part number.
here's the link
http://www.monroe.com/assets/downloads/ ... hSheet.pdf
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HIO Silver
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by HIO Silver »

Example ...Here's the stock spec for my 2WD 70 F100 using a Monro-Matic Plus shock

PN: 32080 (rear shock)
Top Mount: S3
Lower Mount: S4
Compressed Length: 12.375
Extended Length: 19.750
Travel: 7.375

... assuming the rear is lowered four inches, then it would require finding a shock with the following specs or at least close to it:

Top Mount: S3
Lower Mount: S4
Compressed Length: 8.375
Extended Length: 15.750
Travel: 7.375

The following Monroe PNs are close but S3/S4 and at that short a length is tough...:
32250....9.625 compressed, 14.875, extended, 5.250 travel
32304...9.875 compressed,14.250 extended, 4.375 travel.

Dang, that's slim pickins.

Using Summit's PN search, 32250 is used on the front of 87 to 04 Dodge Dakotas and Durangos. And 32304 is used (generally) on the front of 4WD 97-04 F150s, Expeditions, and F250s.

EDIT.... I'd go for the 32250 since it has one inch more travel and a touch more compression. And we're not even considering the bumpstop nor that the shock is mounted at an angle which affects its overall length at compression and droop But simply using Bilstein's applications search on Dakotas and Durangos: http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/24-064606/75378/RWD

The Bilstein 4600 Series part numbers are:
Part Number: 24-064606
Old Part Number: F4-BE5-6460-H0
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71 F250 LB, 2WD, 360FE, T18, PS, PB, D60 with 4.11s
73 F100 SB 4WD, 390FE, NP435, +4 on 35s

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pincheweddo
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by pincheweddo »

I was looking for better shock travel and got the welder after it. Now I have adjustable air shocks. See attached thread...

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =5&t=69808
See project updates at:
http://1967f100.blogspot.com
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Rockybar
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by Rockybar »

HIO Silver wrote:Example ...Here's the stock spec for my 2WD 70 F100 using a Monro-Matic Plus shock

PN: 32080 (rear shock)
Top Mount: S3
Lower Mount: S4
Compressed Length: 12.375
Extended Length: 19.750
Travel: 7.375

... assuming the rear is lowered four inches, then it would require finding a shock with the following specs or at least close to it:

..........

I looked at this thread this morning hoping to head to the parts store and find something mentioned in the write up. Using the stock specs, and I have my truck lowered 3" I would assume I'd need a 9.375 - 16.750 shock.

But I crawled under to measure the existing resting length and found I had 14.5"

There is no way I could run the shocks as mentioned.
32250....9.625 compressed, 14.875, extended, 5.250 travel
32304...9.875 compressed,14.250 extended, 4.375 travel.

From what I see, a stock Monroe 34958 w/
Compressed Length: 11.5 in
Dust Shield Included: Yes
Extended Length: 19.125 in
Parts Pack(s): Yes
Travel Length: 7.625 in

will do the job fine for most with a shackle flip that netted 3" rear drop.
1967 F100
390, 3 spd on floor
(my first ford, so have patience, I'm a Chevy guy)
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HIO Silver
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by HIO Silver »

Rockybar wrote: I looked at this thread this morning hoping to head to the parts store and find something mentioned in the write up. Using the stock specs, and I have my truck lowered 3" I would assume I'd need a 9.375 - 16.750 shock.

But I crawled under to measure the existing resting length and found I had 14.5"

There is no way I could run the shocks as mentioned.
32250....9.625 compressed, 14.875, extended, 5.250 travel
32304...9.875 compressed,14.250 extended, 4.375 travel.

From what I see, a stock Monroe 34958 w/
Compressed Length: 11.5 in
Dust Shield Included: Yes
Extended Length: 19.125 in
Parts Pack(s): Yes
Travel Length: 7.625 in

will do the job fine for most with a shackle flip that netted 3" rear drop.
That was just an example/theory to illustrate the principle of how to go about spec'ing shocks.

Also, you should not use the installed length. Rather, it should be length at full droop so jack up the rig on the frame and then measure the length with both wheels off the ground.

Then set the truck on the ground and measure how much the shock has traveled. After that, measure the distance from the axle tube to the bumpstop and add 1/2-inch for crush and then factor that into your measurement.
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Rockybar
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Re: Rear Shocks on lowered truck

Post by Rockybar »

I ended up finding a set of air shocks from my neighbor for $5, brand new in the box. Probably from 1980's. Had to buy the airhose kit for $13 from autozone.

They ride awesome, and what a find.
1967 F100
390, 3 spd on floor
(my first ford, so have patience, I'm a Chevy guy)
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