Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

I am looking for a good quality shock for a 1970 GMC C2500 with HD leaf spring rear suspension. The rear is lowered 4 inches with hangers and shackles. I have relocated the upper rear shock mount a couple of inches to the rear (to straighten the shock angle.) I have already acquired Bilstein sport shocks for the front (2.5 inch drop spindles.) I have heard of using front shocks on a lowered rear. I assume that this advice applies to coil spring rear suspension, and may not be applicable to leaf springs. Is anyone using a gas "handling" shock on a 4 inch dropped leaf spring rear? My preferences are:

1)Bilstein Sport
2)KYB Gas Adjust
3)Racetech HQ

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

I'm using these from POL.

https://www.performanceonline.com/19...Absorber-Rear/

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

I did an axle flip on the rear of my 69 short step. I moved the shock stud to the more vertical position and I used a stock length front shock. KYB GR2 in my case. My truck came down 7" over stock height. I would buy the Bilsteins and will do that for mine in the future. Not that I have any issues with the GR2 I just like lots of dampening.

I also used the same shock in the front with 2 1/2" spindles and 2" drop springs FWIW.

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

I'm running a set of CPP lowered shocks up front. I still need to measure rear travel. Then I'll choose one from the CPP chart. Doing the same thing Mike C. did.
'72 C20 5.5 front, Flip Kit rear with one leaf pulled out. Adding helper bags. Need to be able to carry a load and tow a trailer, with maybe a bit smoother ride when empty. Hey we all have a wish list.
http://www.classicperform.com/Catalo...hock_Specs.pdf

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

Hey PepperTree, can you tell me about the helper bags? I have flipped the rear on mine and find it near impossible to haul anything now. Looking for a setup like yours.

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

It's called a Bag Over Leaf spring system. We're fabricating our own because no one makes a kit for '67-'72 trucks that I could find. Found this pic on the net and a fabbing we went. The bags are Firestone Ride-Rite from Ride Tech. This is the one I'm using. It specs out well for my app. https://www.ridetech.com/products/co...-tapered-rear/
I had already bought weld on brackets, so I'm re-working them to fit. The Ride Tech website has upper brackets here-
https://www.ridetech.com/products/co...upper-bracket/
Didn't see any lower ones. Just google Bag over leaf spring suspension, lots of pics come up. Good Luck.

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

Belltech SP shocks. By far the best riding shocks made for lowered applications

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

Doetsch Tech. That's not a misspelling. Get your eyes and lengths and call em. About 45 a shock. They're great.

Re: Good shock for lowered leaf rear
 

Thanks for the replies. I have some great leads to follow. I am leaning toward putting a set of Bilstein Sport front shocks on the rear. (I have the Bilsteins on two other vehicles and have nothing but good things to say about ride, handling, and durability.) I know that the valving for front VS rear shocks may be different... But my application will involve some towing, and loaded bed, so the differences may work in my favor. Thanks again for sharing your experience. I still have some research to do.