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Deulings 1985 K5 Blazer, --aka Borderline Obnoxious; Silver Lake pics and Vids

Quad shocks are a thing of the past, back when they couldn't make a good enough single shock to dampen a heavy front end and/or control it offroad.
(I'm talking in a factory application here - aftermarket is different...sorta.)

Look at the size of a Gabriel/Monroe/AC Delco/etc stock replacement shock and notice how much narrower it is compared to even the cheap and generic ProComp/Superlift/Skyjacker/Rancho/Trail Master/etc blah blah hydro/nitro shocks. The aftermarket shocks are just so much bigger that they can do more than the stock type shocks.

Right now I've just got two AC Delco premium nitro shocks on and they're skinnier than the aftermarket stuff but still better than the four crappy Gabriel LT shocks that were on there before.
 
swettysblazer said:
Adam, for what it's worth, I had the quad shocks from Rough Country on my truck after I put the lift in. The ride was pretty harsh and I drove it like that for about a year and a half. I finally got fed up and took out the small one on each side, and it rides SO much better. I kept the longer shock in and took the shorter one out.
Click to expand...

Oh good cuz thats what im plannin on:thumb:
 
Those Monroe's are their economy shocks.
Better than old, ill fitting shocks yes. Better than decent $35 aftermarket shocks? No.

However I'd just wait a while, save, and get some good shocks. I rushed and purchased the AC Delco's I have now...thought I got a deal...but now wish I had just spent an extra $10-15 per shock and got the good stuff.
 
Well I would but for some stupid reason only the cheap shocks have the measurements on them:dunno:

Even the bilsteins dont have them.
 
Most makers either have a tech line or a chart somewhere on their site.

If they don't list a chart you're kinda screwed today since it is Saturday.

What do you need the measurements for?
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Most makers either have a tech line or a chart somewhere on their site.

If they don't list a chart you're kinda screwed today since it is Saturday.

What do you need the measurements for?
Click to expand...


Well I dont want to order a shock thats 16 inches long fully compressed, nor one thats 16 inches fully extended. I want one thats got a good 3inches or so both ways. So 20ish-13ish for the travel
 
Do you even know your actual dimensions?

As in taken it out with no shocks on, flexed the wee out of it, measured, extended it all the way, measured again, and then used that all to get your dimensions?

If not then you're just going off of whatever is stock...and the stock shocks are USUALLY the correct dimensions for the stock suspension...which if I remember correctly you have.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Do you even know your actual dimensions?

As in taken it out with no shocks on, flexed the wee out of it, measured, extended it all the way, measured again, and then used that all to get your dimensions?

If not then you're just going off of whatever is stock...and the stock shocks are USUALLY the correct dimensions for the stock suspension...which if I remember correctly you have.
Click to expand...


I dont think ranchos came stock...:dunno: or did they?

And no i havnt flext it out but when am I ever going to flex it?? Im not taking it rock crawing or anything. Just straight up some sand hills at most.
 
I'm confused as to why you need to have these long ass 3" longer shocks or whatever you keep talking about?

Your truck is stock. Buy whatever shocks are listed for the stock application. All of the aftermarket lift/shock makers list shocks for stock height trucks.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
I'm confused as to why you need to have these long ass 3" longer shocks or whatever you keep talking about?

Your truck is stock. Buy whatever shocks are listed for the stock application. All of the aftermarket lift/shock makers list shocks for stock height trucks.
Click to expand...

Im not buying longer shocks. Im actually buying shorter shocks because whoever put these ranchos on stuffed in shocks that were almost 16 inches compressed all the way. From my mount on the axle to the mount on the frame it is 16 inches roughly. So my shocks as of now are too long and not allowing for any downward movement.


shocklayout.jpg
 
Then just buy stock application Nitro 9000's.
I consulted my old notes and found the dimensions and part numbers:
9101 is the stock position front shock - 11.67"-18.07"

Consulting NAPA's website shows most shocks being about 11.8"-18.3".


Now since you want the "additional" quad shock the dimensions for those seem to be about 12.8"-21".
Calling their tech line would get you the part number for what you want.
In fact, let me know what they tell you. I'd like to get a set myself at some point.

These are on a stock suspension. I'm betting someone put some Rancho's on meant for a lift kit or something. Seen it done more than once.:doah:
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Then just buy stock application Nitro 9000's.
I consulted my old notes and found the dimensions and part numbers:
9101 is the stock position front shock - 11.67"-18.07"

Consulting NAPA's website shows most shocks being about 11.8"-18.3".


Now since you want the "additional" quad shock the dimensions for those seem to be about 12.8"-21".
Calling their tech line would get you the part number for what you want.
In fact, let me know what they tell you. I'd like to get a set myself at some point.

These are on a stock suspension. I'm betting someone put some Rancho's on meant for a lift kit or something. Seen it done more than once.:doah:
Click to expand...


Ok I measured the exact distance from eye to eye on the mounts and it is 16-5/8". I was just thinking that I would want a little more up movement than an 1-3/8" if I do ever need to flex it a little. Thats why I have been looking for one that goes from like 12ish to 20ish.

Sorry for the confusion, and I will not be putting the additional shock in. Im going to remove the 4 ranchos and just put 2 new ones in.
 
You have the stock suspension. Putting shocks other than the stock application on will not benefit you in any way.

Look where your bump stops are right now. You don't have much up travel at all. That's the way these things were from the factory.

I gave you the dimensions of most replacement shocks for your stock suspension in the front.
I understood you are looking to get rid of the quads and only run a single on each side in the front. I believe you were wanting to do it in the "additional" position that the quad shock setup adds.
That has a normal dimension of 12.8"-21".
 
Those are old school load "helping" shocks. Cheesy way to keep your vehicle from sagging if you load it heavy.

Problem is your stock shock mounts aren't meant to support much weight.

Gimmicky junk. Get some good stuff like we've talked about.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Those are old school load "helping" shocks. Cheesy way to keep your vehicle from sagging if you load it heavy.

Problem is your stock shock mounts aren't meant to support much weight.

Gimmicky junk. Get some good stuff like we've talked about.
Click to expand...


Ok:thumb: Just thought i would ask
 
Fair enough question. They used to be more common and you still see people running them from time to time. Been marketed as an axle wrap cure, load helper, heavy duty shock, etc. Just an old, bad idea.
 
I knew their had to be a reason they are so cheap. Thanks buddy:thumb:

Well I cross referanced the rough country chart you gave me and in the 1973-1990 blazer/jimmy section for the FRT (guessing front) with 0-1" lift it calls for shock MFG #9101



So I went to JCwhitneys site and under the 9000series and clicked "item details" and scrolled down and their it is MFG#9101.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/nitro-9000-gas-shocks/p2006163.jcwx?skuId=180313&filterid=d241y1985j1&gan=1&JCW_SRC=AFF

So that sound like its what I need so i think ill order 2 and see how she handles. Most likely like a dream compared to now with the shocks almost bottomed out just sitting their:eek1:
 
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