The Shocking Truth

[HanksB3B]

My 51 B3B rides very stiff and feels every crack, bump and forget about hitting even a small pothole. Thing is I've come to sort of accept that this is the way our trucks ride, but my question is to what degree is this true.

I've never replaced the shocks and have never really looked to see what I'm riding on but am just assuming they are the original shocks. The only "test" I remember is to push down hard on the bumper and if the vehicle bounces more that once you need new shocks. If the shocks merely rebound and settle you're shocks are o.k. This method sound's about as scientific as kicking the tires at a used car lot.

How can I know that installing new shocks is going to make a difference?

I did some homework and found what Merle had to say:

I got my shocks from Auto Zone and they fit and work perfectly. They even had one set in stock, which supprised the young kid behind the counter. So I sent to their web site and looked them up again. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/

Here are the specs that they show for their Gabriel Guardian shock absorbers.

Front - Part number 81147

Extended length = 20.23 inches / 514mm

Collapsed length = 12.37 inches / 314mm

Stroke = 7.86 inches / 200mm

Rear - Part number 82007

Extended length = 18.23 inches / 463mm

Collapsed length = 11.73 inches / 298mm

Stroke = 6.86 inches / 174mm

I would have to say that if the shocks are too long to fit when fully collapsed then they are not the correct ones.

EDIT: Since my truck is a B2C and Fernando's is a B3B I had a look again. They show the rear using the same part number but the front uses P/N 61500, although the length specs are the same.

Thanks,

Hank

[bkahler]

Hank,

One thing that makes a huge difference in ride is the condition of the leaf springs. If they are rusty with lots of grit in between they don't slide very well or at all.

On my truck I took the springs off, dismantled them, sand blasted them and then painted them with Bill Hirsch's Miracle paint. After looking at the modern leaf spring suspension on my F150 I noticed that there were plastic inserts on the ends of some of the leaf springs. I then went to a local machine shop and bought some of the inserts, drilled holes in the ends of my leaf springs (ruined a lot of drill bits in the process!) and inserted the plastic inserts.

The inserts promote sliding at the tips of the springs. I haven't driven the truck yet so I don't know if any of this effort was worth it.

One other thing, the more expensive cars used to have leather covers that totally enclosed the springs, you then greased the springs, put the leather covers on and you were supposed to have a nice smooth ride. This is something I'm also considering for my truck.

Brad

[HanksB3B]

That really sounds like the way to do it. My springs look good from the outside but I'm sure totally dismantlin, sandblasting, coating and even using some sort of teflon or slippery laminate or inserts would be ideal. I personally couldn't go for an encased look but I am currently working at making them more servicable (with noticable results) by first using penetrating oil, then moving to regular oil and then to hand rubbing with high quality grease.

I am planning a few improvements this winter. Hopefully a differential improvement, a new clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing, a steering box refurbishment and a few other things that will take my truck out of service. I will consider improving the springs at that time as I can see it's worth. When is your truck going to get on the road?

Thanks,

Hank

[bkahler]

Hank,

I won't swear to it but I think back in the 30s 40s & 50s there were after market companies that made leather cases for the leaf springs. I know for my Triumph sports cars there were companies like that in England.

As far as when my truck gets back on the road, that is a tough question. I started the restoration in 1997 and made good progress until 1999 when I ended up going back to work overseas. I then got married in 2000 and have moved a total of 3 times since.

The rolling chassis is done, all the body parts are painted and ready to reassemble but I just haven't had time to work on it. We just finished our last move in October and I am really hoping to start assembling things this summer.

Here are a few pictures to show the current state of the project. The first picture is showing it loaded on the trailer for the move from Arkansas to Kentucky.

Brad

[HanksB3B]

Are you the person that has/had a website devoted to your truck restoration? If so I want to Thank You. It served as early inspiration to me.

Get busy buddy, I've already won a thophy. Well you probably have a tropy wife now.

Good Luck, stay in one place and keep things moving,

Hank

[bkahler]

Hank,

If you're referring to this website http://campkahler.com/dodge/ (originally www.141.com/dodge/) then it was probably me. I've had so little time over the course of the last 10 years to work on projects that I/we seem to have accumulated that it has been frustrating. Things are finally looking up however and I'm hoping I can finish the truck by sometime next year.

I'm glad my attempts at a website gave you some inspiration. When I started my restoration there was not a lot of information available on the web (or anywhere else for that matter). I thought if I started documenting my progress it might help. I guess maybe that thought paid off!!

I'm happy to hear you were able to win a trophy for your efforts and yes, I DO have a trophy wife for my efforts! http://campkahler.com/main.html

I had to move my web pages to a new domain and am still in the process of getting all of the new links worked out. Just need time.......

Brad

[knuckleharley]

Hank,

One other thing, the more expensive cars used to have leather covers that totally enclosed the springs, you then greased the springs, put the leather covers on and you were supposed to have a nice smooth ride. This is something I'm also considering for my truck.

Brad

I know 1939 Fords had spring covers,and suspect the 38's did too.

Both of my P-15 parts cars also have them. Both are 47's.