How much can I drop it & still keep stock shocks?

[ScottH]

Wanting to drop my 67 swb stepside truck but like many on a budget so need to consider costs. I have 4 new shocks so would much rather use them than have to invest in dropped shocks.

So my question is how low can I drop the truck on just springs (coils in rear) & still use the new stock shocks?

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

[James the III]

Originally Posted by ScottH

Wanting to drop my 67 swb stepside truck but like many on a budget so need to consider costs. I have 4 new shocks so would much rather use them than have to invest in dropped shocks.

So my question is how low can I drop the truck on just springs (coils in rear) & still use the new stock shocks?

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

Let me tell you a secret.. you don't need to buy overpriced drop shocks..
once you drop it to where you want it.. you can measure bottoming out, and 4"-5" of movement from there. and then go to a shock company web site and
look at the catalog.. it will list length compressed and extended , and end/mounting type..
and give you a part number that is a stock part for something else.. and much cheaper than the marketed "drop" shocks..

Cause dropping it to use the shocks you have.. and then having to do it again as you don't like that and want more, will cost more in the long run..

As for how much with stock shocks in stock mounting locations..
4" 2 " springs and 2" blocks.. I've never gone past that.. others will chime in..
but that is where my truck was at before I blew it apart to do it a 2nd time..
anything I saved the 1st time around went out the window having to do it a 2nd time..

[ScottH]

Thanks James for the info. I get ur point, something to consider.

Any other input or suggestions?

[Willys47]

I cant imagine that a stock sized shock would bottom out before the truck is bottomed out on the bump stop for the axle. If that was the case the shock mounts would be ripped off a crap load of trucks and there would be a big market in shock replacements. I have see lots of trucks over loaded and hitting the or riding on the bump stops and not needing to repair mounts or in stall new shocks. if you not trying to ride on the axles. I say run then and see what kind of ride you get if your bouncing all over youll need to replace them.

[Ironangel]

When I dropped my first truck I had no issues in the rear using 4" drop springs, stock shocks in factory locations. When you go beyond 4"of drop or use shock relocators is when problems can occur. Up front you can get as much 2-1/2" of static drop with drop spindles without ever changing the shock or it's stroke. A drop spring or air bag will change the shock stroke and in my case, using a 2" drop spring with a stock shock resulted in a busted shock end. The front bump stops will not stop a shock from bottoming or a coil spring from binding. So if drop springs or air bags are used up front, a shorter shock is required. I did like the previous post and went through a Monroe Shock catalog and just ordered a 2" shorter shock. No issues since front or rear...The truck in my avatar is not my lowered truck.

[roro013]

I installed air bags and 2 1/2'' drop spindles on my 72 and I was able to run the stock factory shocks. I measured the collapsed and extended length I would need and when I compared it to the specs on the Monroe shocks listed for the front of my truck they where the right length. I have the air bags installed on the rear but haven't c notched it yet so I don't know if the rear factory shocks will work.

[ScottH]

So if I went with 2" drop front springs & 3-4" drop rear springs, stock shocks should still work?

[James the III]

Originally Posted by ScottH

So if I went with 2" drop front springs & 3-4" drop rear springs, stock shocks should still work?

Mine has the stock type on it now and it has 2" springs and 2.5" blocks..in the rear.
it was fine.. but is apart to go lower.. and shocks will be relocated..

You'll hit the bump stops before running out of shock.. as the stockers had to work till at least the stop.

[sangell]

If you leave the stock bump stops in place you can use stock length shocks.

When we first dropped my son's truck 4/6 we put stock front shocks on the rear and I think it was 3rd gen corvette rear shocks up front. I got all four shocks from Rock Auto for pretty cheap as I just picked out some they had on close out.

[ScottH]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the info.

Trying to keep to a budget I decided to go with a 2/3 spring set on ebay for $125 shipped for all 4 springs. That will at least get me a small drop & I wont lose a lot should I eventually decide to go further with it.