Ok here we go. Going to try and get shocks replaced on my 86 K5 but to be honest...I have no clue what to do. This is the way I THINK it's supposed to be done. Is it as easy as jacking the truck up, taking the tires off, taking the shocks off and bolting the new ones on?
CK5
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Replacing shocks
- Thread starter gm29chev
- Start date
You probably don't even need to take the tires off or jack up the truck. Unbolt, remove, bolt the new ones on 
If they're gas shocks it will take some effort to compress them to fit on the mounts but otherwise it couldn't be easier.
If they're gas shocks it will take some effort to compress them to fit on the mounts but otherwise it couldn't be easier.
stumpbuster
1/2 ton status
yup, just leave everything alone, unbolt old ones, bolt up new ones.
no need to any "prep"
no need to any "prep"
What shocks are you getting? Do you have factory dual shocks in the front?
If you have factory dual shocks in the front, eliminate one, and just run 2 front, 2 rear. It was needed back in the 80's since shocks sucked, but today's are way better.
I've gone the cheap shock route, and regretted it. If you HAVE to go a semi cheap route, i recommend having Kragen order the Monroe Gas Magnum HD Shocks. Good mid price shock. If you can afford them, get Bilstein 5100's, or Bilstein HD's. My HD's were BY FAR the best modification/upgrade i have done in the life of my truck. Its road manners are SO MUCH BETTER.
Good luck!
If you have factory dual shocks in the front, eliminate one, and just run 2 front, 2 rear. It was needed back in the 80's since shocks sucked, but today's are way better.
I've gone the cheap shock route, and regretted it. If you HAVE to go a semi cheap route, i recommend having Kragen order the Monroe Gas Magnum HD Shocks. Good mid price shock. If you can afford them, get Bilstein 5100's, or Bilstein HD's. My HD's were BY FAR the best modification/upgrade i have done in the life of my truck. Its road manners are SO MUCH BETTER.
Good luck!
I bet those gas magnums are about the same price. Really, you save money, but its not really worth it. If you do somethign like that, DEFINTEILY get ones that are lifetime warranty. Then you can change them every couple years at no cost.
What is the main purpose of this truck? Street, towing, off road, snow, dirt, etc?
What is the main purpose of this truck? Street, towing, off road, snow, dirt, etc?
DK5
1/2 ton status
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Are any of these shocks worth considering?
I'm looking at replacing mine soon too.
Specifically, I have my eyes on the edelbrock one
I'm looking at replacing mine soon too.
Specifically, I have my eyes on the edelbrock one
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
i believe their intent back then was for heat dissipation, if i remember right, the quad shock setup was orginally a different part number than the single setup, they were suppose to be valved slightly lighter, so that two basically worked the same as one would, but under high speed, or sever duty shockload, like washboard roads, they wouldn't tend to fade as fast, because all for shocks were doing the work of two singles.
After really using the shocks once while going through a real bumpy wash in Arizona, i got out of the truck and felt the shock tubes, they were pretty warm.
I still currently run 4 shocks up front, although now they are nitro gas charged units, cause i was having issues with body roll from side to side while normal driving, Rough Country sent me these 4 replacements for free, so i didn't complain, and it did help with the side to side roll a ton.
Backs were changed out to these as well.
The regular hydro shocks i had seemed to be really squishy, soft, and not very controlling, after i went with the nitrogen gas shocks, i won't use anything else, they are alittle stiffer shock, but control much better.
I'm looking at replacing mine soon too.
Specifically, I have my eyes on the edelbrock one
Don't get any of those. The Edelbrok ones suck too. They had a closeout at Summit where they are like $5 a piece, i got a set shipped for under $30. Still have some 4" lift ones, brand new. They were AWEFUL.
Really, for the price, i haven't found a better shock than those Monroe HD Gas Magnums. If you can afford them, get the Blistien HD's.
You wont' regret it.
Id rather go with teh "higher" end autopart store ones than any of the ones listed though.
Have run Monroe reflex or sensitrac's from the parts store on a street truck, and they were ok...but a little soft for my taste.
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
I put the mid priced OReilly shocks in my Ford and they are hella stiff. should have got the good ones to begin with.
DK5
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thanks for the advice dhcomp, I'll ask them at the shop if they can get the munroe or bilsteins, I think they can, and then I'll install them.
