Gas Shock Recommendations

[scoutfamily]

Sent: 4/27/2003 7:50 PM

I just put new gas shocks on all four corners of our rig and thought that I would share the numbers. I put these on a 1978 M400 Dodge chassis.

The Rear shocks are:
NAPA Series 60 Gas shocks #66858   $38.95 each

The Front shocks are:
NAPA RV Shock, Gas Charged Shock  #555011   $39.95 each

Hope this helps! Scoutfamily ( David )

[WinnieNMe]

Sent: 4/27/2003 8:17 PM
So is there a difference in the ride?

[scoutfamily]

Sent: 4/27/2003 10:50 PM

Yes, big difference! The old shocks were just shot, and I could tell the ride was much better. A lot less shimmy at highway speed, pulled my Saab smoother, and didn't give you that sense of rock-and-roll. But this was after I had fixed my anti-sway bar so I can't say what the original factory ride was before the broken sway bar bracket. Besides, $40 each for gas shocks for a MOTORHOME this old ain't bad!

scoutfamily

[WinnieNMe]

Sent: 4/27/2003 11:31 PM

No, not bad at all, We discussed shocks and springs recently, for the Winnie, I didn't realize how really rough she road until I took a trial ride in a new 2003 last fall. I could actually hear the guy talking to me, in the seat next to me. And I said, oh my, is this how it is suppose to feel riding in one of these. 

[larry060748]

Sent: 12/4/2003 8:57 PM

Call the local NAPA store today and ordered front and rear for 27 bucks apiece. Be here tomorrow. Hopefully have on by week-end. Thanks. My ole 79 brave had the orginal shocks. Should see a lot of difference. However only drove it front the orginal owners home to mine, about 5 miles. Then started getting rid of that horrible greeen carpet. Has not move for over a month. 

[SeaRaySRV16O]

Sent: 4/5/2005 12:08 AM

Wonderin' if the shock p/n's for the 1978 M400 chassis are the same for the 1972 M400 chassis? Anyone have any experience with gettn' shocks for the '72 M400? Thanks.

Robert Donley
Jenison, MI

[SeaRaySRV16O]

Sent: 4/5/2005 7:52 PM

Answered my own question...

Today a local parts guy checked the measurements and it appears that front shocks in years later than 1972 M400's(he checked a 1975 M400 shock) are several inches shorter both in the compressed and extended position, therefore they can't be used in the earlier M400 chassis(The '72 M400 shock is 14" compressed and about 27" extended, bolthole to bolthole). It is a fairly long shock, when compared to others.

Tomorrow then, I'm off to a couple of older auto parts shops here in West Michigan to try & find those elusive 1972 M400 front shocks. Has anyone had any luck recently finding this part? Struck out at NAPA and Auto Zone and another local parts house. I may be giving "I'm_Still_Lefty" another call...

Regards,

Robert Donley

[mightybooboo]

Sent: 4/6/2005 12:00 AM

Your Napa wont order em?  Mine gets em to you the next day.

BooBoo

[SeaRaySRV16O]

Sent: 4/6/2005 3:52 PM

Yup...
My NAPA parts guy could not find the P/N listed. I went to their central warehouse in Grand Rapids, MI. They supply all of this part of the state from there. Would sure like to find P/N's for these '72 M400 shocks. Front & rear. Plannin' to give Alretta a call, have pretty much exhausted local parts supply places. Thanks. 

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Sent: 4/6/2005 6:14 PM

Monroe shocks 1972 M300, M375 & R375  GAS-MAGNUM® RV SHOCK ABSORBERS
               Dodge P/N    Monroe P/N   Compressed   Extended   Travel
Front       3633745       555013           16"                 27"            11"
Rear        3633744       555012           12.125"          19.125"      7.00"
In 73 that changed to:
Front       3638631       555011           14.625"          24.125"     9.5"
Rear        3638112       555012           12.125"          19.125"      7.00"

BTW - My 1979 parts book identifies available chassis designations by year as follows:
69-73   M-300, M375
73-74   RM300, RM350, RM400
75         M300, M400, M500
76-77   M300, M400, M500, M600

Hope that helps
Dave

[GONMAD]

Hello all, I have run most types of shocks & have found the Bilstien units to be the BEST. Probably a bit expensive for most but if purchased a pair at a time it's not so bad. As long as you're working on suspension try a "truesteer" centering device for the front end, it helps a lot. Just my two cents. C YA! GONMAD

[Oz]

I agree, Bilstiens are the best, I put them on my Indian.  But, if I had to do it over again, I'd have gotten Monroe or other shocks which are nearly as good and cost a lot less.

[Chief Crazy Canoe]

Know this is an old thread, but I was able to source the M375 Monroe shocks from Checker/O'Reilly Auto Parts today - so glad I found this thread on the forum!

[Winnebago Warrior 94]

I have also found lots of helpful  information  on here ..it's the best

[Chief Crazy Canoe]

Got those Monroe shocks from O'Reilly Auto Parts & the rear fit like a charm, however the front shocks have a metal bushing/sleeve pressed into the rubber gromet on the bottom half.  Unfortunately, it won't fit over the lower shock mount spindle with those in there - any thoughts on pressing this metal sleeve out of the rubber gromet? Hm?

[Rickf1985]

It is probably vulcanized in there, Are you sure the old sleeve is not rusted onto the mount?

[legomybago]

It is probably vulcanized in there, Are you sure the old sleeve is not rusted onto the mount?

I was thinking the same about the old sleeve being stuck on the stud. Seen it before. If not, take them back and get the right shock!! 

[CapnDirk]

X2.   If the part of the shaft with no threads is bigger round than the part at the end WITH threads, the sleeve may still be on the shaft.  Soak with some blaster and grab with a vice grip.

[Froggy1936]

If you do find that the old center steel bushing is stuck to the mount stud , Take two hammers and simultaniously hit the old sleeve on two sides , This will expand and loosen the old bushing ,, Frank

[Rickf1985]

Have you ever watched someone who has never done that try it? It is usually pretty comical. It is actually pretty hard to get your right and left hands to work together with hammers coming towards a fixed object and hit it both at the same time. takes a fair bit of practice.

[Chief Crazy Canoe]

I've looked at the shocks mount pins, they're solid - not shims - wouldn't budge when I pounded and Vice Gripped em.


The rear shocks didn't have the metal sleeves on either end - just need to find the front shocks without the sleeves - anyone with any ideas or other part numbers??