Dawa Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 wasnt planning on doing a write up but "Lee R" had asked me to in my build so i figured why not :) plus, it took me 2 afternoons to do the install but after reading this and the proper prep, it should only take you a couple hours. there are 2 parts to this how to: 1 - basic (stock) shock removal & replacement 2 - modifying the ford pinto's front shocks to fit i used KYB GR-2s, which are the 'oem' equivalent, Part numbers @ bottom of page. part 1: straight from the book! 1) before the install, prepare tools/equipment/etc & remember, SAFETY FIRST! 2) "crack the torque" (slightly loosen) the lug nuts while the truck is on the ground. better now than when the wheel is in the air (free spinning.) 3) you probably dont have a lift so apply the e-brake and install wheel chocks to rear wheels. THEN raise the front of the car using the front cross member that runs between the control arms/under the oil pan as your jacking point. Once raised, support the vehicle with jackstands. 3) remove wheel. 4) hold upper stem of shock absorber and remove nuts, washer, and rubber bushing. (this is where a ratcheting wrench comes in handy.) nut was 14mm. 5) remove bolt from lower end of the shock absorber. (17mm) 6) "retain lower rubber bushing in position" install the lower end of shock absorber to the bracket of the lower link, and torque the bolt to 23 to 30 ft lb. the part in quotations will most likely be N/A because your new shock will come with its own rubber bushing. *note - insert the bolt from the front side of the vehicle. <- front of vehicle (this is driver's side) rear of vehicle -> 7) install the upper end of shock absorber to body bracket and tighten lock nuts to 12-16 ft lb. this is where a crow's foot would come in handy because you there isnt enough clearance to fit a socket & torque wrench in there. here's the computation for using a crow's foot with a torque wrench part 2: i thought the 'install' would be a direct swap but it is not. the pinto shocks need some minor modification to get them to fit. all you need are some basic tools -something to cut with (i used a hack saw) -something to enlarge a hole with (drill bits) -personal protective equipment for hands, feet, AND EYES ESPECIALLY!!! shocks side by side: (black shock) new ford pinto with much longer metal tube/collar. blue shock = old 620. the bottom mounting hole of the stock shock uses a 12mm bolt, the interior diameter of the pinto is smaller so you need to enlarge it. i drilled mine out. use a 15/32 drill bit (11.9mm) anything smaller wont do and anything bigger will allow more bolt play than stock. if the bolt still doesnt fit, sand the circumference of the shoulder of the bolt. it doesnt take much. most of what i sanded off looked like rust. when i got down to bare metal the bolt fit. here is the set i bought ($30, home depot) that included the 15/32 bit some of the bits included AND fraction to mm conversions for reference 27/64 = 10.715mm 7/16 = 11.112mm 29/64 = 11.509mm 15/32 = 11.906mm 31/64 = 12.303mm 1/2 = 12.700mm the stock shock's bottom mount outer diameter is approx. 31-32mm whereas the O.D. of the pinto's bottom mount is over 80mm, so youll have to cut it down to size. that's it for the modification! re-install is the reverse of removal, see part 1. parts/prices/sources KYB GR-2 / datsun 620 / rear / part number 344046 / $21.92 each, $43.84 shipped (from ebay, seller: allautomotive) KYB GR-2 / ford pinto / front / part number 343134 / $23.69 each, $52.33 shipped (from summit racing) 5 Quote Link to comment
Dawa Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 write up complete. any questions let me know Quote Link to comment
MantisX620 Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Thanks for this write up. Im looking to lower 3 inches soon and im hoping this shock setup will help it ride less shitty. MantisX Quote Link to comment
DAT510 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Awesome write up!!!! I'm going to do the same with my 521. Thank you! Quote Link to comment
Locsteros22 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 What would happen if I used pinto shocks for thr rear as well? Quote Link to comment
Lee R Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Dawa coming through!!! Excellent write up....got to get my butt in gear and do this. :) Quote Link to comment
metalmonkey47 Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Good write up! Doing this tomorrow. Quote Link to comment
metalmonkey47 Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 Holllyyyyy crap do these make a difference! I'd like to add that Gabriel Classic shocks are not necessarily the ones to use for this. There quality is great, but the sleeve in the bushing at the eyelet isn't perfectly round making it nearly impossible to drill straight. And that's using a drill press and new bit. I countered this by using a slightly undersized bolt. 7/16-14 is nearly perfect. As long as it's tight, there's absolutely NO bolt play. Quote Link to comment
71kat510 Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 is there a nut on the back side if not what thread pitch is the 17mm bolt and length Quote Link to comment
Dawa Posted October 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 is there a nut on the back side if not what thread pitch is the 17mm bolt and length on this bottom bolt? yes there is a nut. in this photo you can somewhat see a socket and extension on the nut. Quote Link to comment
71kat510 Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 k thanks know how long it needs to be? Quote Link to comment
mantas Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Did this last week, worked out great but i need to get soem 4x4 springs in the rear. Car rides really smooth and not as bouncy in the front... Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 All I did was press the metal bushing in the pinto shock out. It fit perfectly, but that was in a 1980 720. Quote Link to comment
jvb5577 Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 All I did was press the metal bushing in the pinto shock out. It fit perfectly, but that was in a 1980 720. How did you press it out? Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 How did you press it out? I sprayed a little pb blaster on the metal tube that I needed pushed out. I put it on my jack, scooted it under the arms coming off the frame for the cab mount, they have holes in them from factory, and pressed it out. It gets it flush with the bushing. then a pair of vice grips and some fap muscle... Or you could use a socket and continue pushing it out. I don't have a press, used what i had. Quote Link to comment
jvb5577 Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 I sprayed a little pb blaster on the metal tube that I needed pushed out. I put it on my jack, scooted it under the arms coming off the frame for the cab mount, they have holes in them from factory, and pressed it out. It gets it flush with the bushing. then a pair of vice grips and some fap muscle... Or you could use a socket and continue pushing it out. I don't have a press, used what i had. Awesome! I don't have a press either. Will be going this route too then :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted September 12, 2013 Report Share Posted September 12, 2013 they also make a KYB Monomax shock for the front. Rockauto.com Only see KYB Gas a Just for the rear. Quote Link to comment
KlassicMotion Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Thanks for the write-up Dawa! I'm glad this caught my attention, I was just about to research this. Quote Link to comment
sick620 Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 What years of pinto ran these shocks? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 21, 2015 Report Share Posted December 21, 2015 IIRC the Pinto shock is only slightly shorter than the 620 shock plus... Pinto. Move the top truck mount higher. Quote Link to comment
Rick-rat Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 ^^^^^ I wonder how many people have used pinto shocks since this was posted in 2012. You seem to be a little late to this party. How many of you will now go modify the top truck mount now Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Looks like about an inch but at the end of the LCA you would get more than that. Depends if frame dragging low with the bump stop removed or just a few inches. Quote Link to comment
mhub91 Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 I'd like to add that "1999 Nissan Frontier" front shocks might be a better / easier choice. Edit: I found O'reillys auto parts list Datsun shocks the same as Frontier 4WD shocks already? Now I'm really confused......... 1979 Datsun 620 shock: Extended Length (In): 12-1/2 Inch Compressed Length (In): 8-3/8 Inch Travel Length (In): 4-1/8 Inch 1978 Ford Pinto shock: Extended Length (In): 11 Inch Compressed Length (In): 8-3/8 Inch Travel Length (In): 2-5/8 Inch -> These have to be modified to fit. 1999 Nissan Frontier, 2WD - 4 cyl P/N Monroe #32113 Extended Length (In): 13-3/4 Inch Compressed Length (In): 8-7/8 Inch Travel Length (In): 4-7/8 Inch -> These bolt right in, zero modifications. 1999 Nissan Frontier, 4WD - 6 cyl P/N Monroe Shocks #32206 Extended Length (In): 12-1/2 Inch Compressed Length (In): 8-3/8 Inch Travel Length (In): 4-1/8 Inch -> These bolt right in, zero modifications. I don't think there's a difference between the 4 cylinder or V6 shocks, but the difference is due to the 2WD or 4WD as the 4WD shocks are shorter - better for the guys going really low. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 To prevent the shock bottoming wouldn't the compressed length need to be shorter than the stock 8 3/8"??? None of these look like an improvement. 1 Quote Link to comment
mhub91 Posted January 1, 2016 Report Share Posted January 1, 2016 To prevent the shock bottoming wouldn't the compressed length need to be shorter than the stock 8 3/8"??? None of these look like an improvement. I've always heard that the Frontier shocks were the best upgrade -- but they're the identical replacement parts? Wtf? It does appear that the Pinto shock may be the best option. Quote Link to comment
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