67-72 K10 front shocks all the same?

[Tony]

Same length and mounting for all years? thanks..

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Tony

Same length and mounting for all years? thanks..

Yes

[Tony]

Ok, how come 67-68 front shocks are listed separately from the 69-72 ? In fact I can't find find "normal" 68 front shocks, just the 69 and up...I always thought they were the same..

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Tony

Ok, how come 67-68 front shocks are listed separately from the 69-72 ? In fact I can't find find "normal" 68 front shocks, just the 69 and up...I always thought they were the same..

I may stand corrected here. It may be a simple change like the size of the hole in the upper bushing which will take a different mounting bolt and have different size hole in the upper bracket.

The parts store can tell you what the physical difference are in the two, if any.

Someone who has a 67-68 K20 will be the biggest help you will get here.

[mike16]

pull an early one and a late one off the shelf and you physically look at and see the difference. bring a camera and take pictures then and there. My local NAPA store allows me to do the same thing.

while you at it, see if they will let you do the same same for the 55-59 comparison at the same time. they too look like a set of the later ones. I understand that they repro spiral shocks for 55-59 and if the shock fits wear it!!!!

[Tony]

No stores around here have a 68 or 69 K10 front shocks in stock. Rock Auto online doesn't list them but does list 69-72. No listing in Monroe or KYB master catalogs... None on Ebay either.
The only listings seem to be lengthened shocks for lifted trucks...So maybe the difference is the length...Or just a bushing ?
68 has a closed knuckle axle but it seems odd that Chevy would change the shock ..

[Tony]

Looking through more catalogs I did find the real difference...68 K10 shocks are about 10 inches compressed and 16 inches extended...69 K10 is 11.3 and 18. For reference C10 front shocks are 10 inches compressed and 15 extended.These measurements vary slightly depending on brand name.
Actual measurements on my 68 K10 at ride height show 14 inches between shock mounting bolts. 2 inches between axle pad and rubber bumper stop. It appears the front springs are probably sacked out about an inch...to be expected after this time....but the rubber stops don't show signs of contact...
So..I would guess that the 69-72 shock length is just a tad too short if the front end bottoms out.....And the 68 length of 10-16 seems to lack a bit on extension....It just all seems wrong....

[Boats&Hoes]

So for a 69' I am showing the extended 17,48 & compressed 11,38. Those measurements are from a suspension manufacture that produces vehicle specific shocks.

Unfortunately I really do not see why they do not list the 67' & 68' but show 69' and on. I believe they all carried the same suspension.

But reading the lengths of your current shocks on your 68', it sounds about right in regard to fitment. If you want, pull off that shock, measure ext/compressed, let me know what mounts you have (69' eye to eye) and I'll find you options.

[special-K]

If you want stock quality shocks I assume you are more concerned with originality that extreme suspension travel. I don't think you will ever hit the limits of the '69-up shocks on your earlier truck. I would just use those. I've never over extended or bottomed a shock out yet, unless taking things to the limit, and if it happened it was droop and I didn't know because I was moving so slow it didn't matter.

[Tony]

Yes, 69 shocks should work...The truck is used off road but at slow speeds...I thought the springs may have sagged a bit but comparing the ride height measurements to original GM data it sits at the original height. The original 775-15 tires are close to the same height as the 235 radials.
So it seems the 2 inch front spring travel before contacting the rubber bumper is correct.

[centuryhousedw]

A question on shocks, if you don't mind my adding on...

I still don't have a manual for my new (72) truck. Is there anything special to replacing the shocks on these trucks, or is it pretty straight forward?

[mike16]

Originally Posted by centuryhousedw

A question on shocks, if you don't mind my adding on...

I still don't have a manual for my new (72) truck. Is there anything special to replacing the shocks on these trucks, or is it pretty straight forward?

very easy

the first one takes about 20 minutes. the last one tool less than 10 minutes.

very straight forward

[mike16]

Originally Posted by centuryhousedw

A question on shocks, if you don't mind my adding on...

I still don't have a manual for my new (72) truck. Is there anything special to replacing the shocks on these trucks, or is it pretty straight forward?

very easy

the first one takes about 20 minutes. the last one tool less than 10 minutes.

very straight forward

I like new hardware too

[Tony]

So I installed the 69-72 shocks in my 68 K10. Yes they are about one inch longer compressed...And the steel sleeve on the top eye is about 1/4 longer. It's hardened steel, two seconds work with a cutoff tool.