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Old 12-02-2013, 01:44 AM   #132
Vintage Windmills
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Prior Lake, MN
Posts: 4,305
Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by swamp rat View Post
I cant tell you how they compare, the last set of shocks i took off my truck were 90's technology hydraulic shocks, all the new gas charged shocks seem to have longer body's.

I can tell you Bilstines are one of the better names out there.

Also Skyjacker seems to have a great rep in their lift kits for a smooth ride so ya might look there.

For me it would be a crap shoot from what you posted, I may lean toward the Skyjacker soft ride shocks if the measurements worked out, Overall I'd probably just shoot for the most travel you can get.
I agree on all points. The bilsteins are pretty pricey for this work truck though.

It looks like I'm going to return the ones I have and go with the stock size skyjackers or tuff country. I did the math in a spreadsheet shown below. The 1000 lbs plow will pull the front down another inch and also I may see some sag over time with the new springs?

So the stock sizes will give me 5" or more and the tuff country will have 3" of extension and the skyjackers only about 1.5", and more with the plow on. I'm thinking the tuff country fit the best, hope they ride nice with the skyjacker springs. The bump stops are about 4.5" from the resting spot, so I want at least that much compressive travel.



Oh, and I put money down on this truck below. Previous owner is going to pull the nv4500 though before I can get it. Not sure when or which truck the 6bt will go into, but probably this ochre K20! more reason to have more compressive travel. I estimate the cummins will squat it by 0.5" more than the SBC. Spring rates are 550lbs/per inch and I believe that's per spring.


I hope its a D60 and not a D61 (he said it was pretty tall geared) but either way, the price was right.

Yanked apart the rear axle today and started on brake conversion


Stupid caliper plate diameter is too small by about 1/8" wont go over shoulder:
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67 GMC K1500 Custom- 305V6 SM420, PTO, Ram Assist, yellow (the outcast) (project period correct upgrades)
67 GMC C2500 351V6 TH400, AC, PS, PB (can't decide what to do with. Update, decided to keep and will restore )
86 CHV K30 502 th400, apple red NEW
71 CHV K20 350 SM465, ochre (saved work truck)
71 CHV K20 292 SM465, white, tach, PTO, (future project)
72 CHV K20 350 350th, medium blue (project stocker)
01 CHV K2500hd crew, indigo blue

^3 dont run and the others don't see winter either
'86 K30 Cummins "Fireside" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649649
'71 K20 "get driveable" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590642
'72 K20 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=493477&page=6
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