Posted by Clint Dixon on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 08:30:00 :
In Reply to: Re: Front Shocks, Old Debate, Help!! Vaughn, Mr. Dixon posted by Vaughn on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 22:44:16 :
"Mr. Dixon" (my father) will probably not answer, as he does not do the computer thing. Hope it is okay for me to take his place? ;^)
I am only familiar with the early trucks. I thought that when the shock mount locations moved, the shock eyes got smaller also. Not sure on that, but my parts manuals do show different part numbers for the studs and bushings between the older (longer) and newer (shorter) shocks.
As Vaughn indicated, the older shocks list as the same NAPA part number for both front and rear units. The original Dodge numbers differed between front and rear shocks. The only difference between the two I have found is the addition of rock guards to the rear shocks. These are thin sheet metal plates spot-welded to the lower shock housings that afford additional protection from trash thrown from the front tires. These can easily be removed by drilling out the spot welds and added to new NAPA units for those wanting the correct vintage look to their new rear shocks.
Someone who may have more detailed information on the differences between the older and newer versions of the Power-Wagon shock absorbers would be Spence (my big brother Todd Somers).
Junior (Clint Dixon)