Monroe coilovers or Monroe Gas Magnum rear shocks?

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1990C1500

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I just finished the front end suspension, steering, brakes and next paycheck I'm going to do the rear. I have a 1990 GMC c1500 5.7tbi factory 3.73 locking diff.

I used the gas Magnum shocks in the front and they feel great. Stiff but comfortable. I chose them because they are the best my work (oreilly's) had to offer. Now I'm looking at the rear and I have an option for coilovers or the gas magnums. My employee cost is much less and only $6 difference between them.

I have a new 16ft wood top car hauler that I will probably use a couple times a year with an old 2500 pound subaru on it. Should I go for the coil overs or the gas magnums since they are yellow and somewhat match the factory yellow shocks? It came with the "sport suspension" but I don't know how that is different.
 

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1990C1500

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IMO a set of new leaf springs would also be a part of upgrade to a 30+ year old truck.
It's getting new leafsprings as well. My work only offers dorman leaf springs but offers a few options for the shocks. I'm replacing the drums, shoes, cylinders, hardware, wheel bearings, shocks, leaf springs, shackles. I just finished the front with all new parts except the spindles, sway bar and springs.
 

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Caman96

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It's getting new leafsprings as well. My work only offers dorman leaf springs but offers a few options for the shocks. I'm replacing the drums, shoes, cylinders, hardware, wheel bearings, shocks, leaf springs, shackles. I just finished the front with all new parts except the spindles, sway bar and springs.
Oh good. Look at some 5 leaf setups maybe, then personally, I’d ignore the coil over rear shocks.
 

1990C1500

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If you have the 8.5" rear I wouldn't spend a dime on new brakes, rather I'd be on the hunt for a 9.5" rear axle assembly that's actually capable of stopping the truck.
I'm not really sure what rear end it has. The window sticker says it came with a locking diff and 3.73 gears but that's all I know. The truck seems to stop just fine the trailer brakes work really well when I'm towing. Nothing seems to be wrong just wondering if the coilovers are any better than the gas magnums since I will be replacing the shocks anyways. The gas magnums are the same part number for the 3500 trucks but the coilovers are only listed for my 1500. Only a $6 price difference between them after employee discount.
 

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df2x4

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Personally I would at least consider some Bilstein 4600s. They're pretty much the gold standard for stock height trucks and O'Reillys sells them. Part numbers for a '90 C1500 454SS (which should also have the "Sport Suspension Package") are 24-016971 (front) and 24-016988 (rear).

I've been running them on both of my '97s for years now and I've been very happy with them. The Monroes may be OK, but IMO it's pretty hard to beat the Bilsteins.
 

1990C1500

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Personally I would at least consider some Bilstein 4600s. They're pretty much the gold standard for stock height trucks and O'Reillys sells them. Part numbers for a '90 C1500 454SS (which should also have the "Sport Suspension Package") are 24-016971 (front) and 24-016988 (rear).

I've been running them on both of my '97s for years now and I've been very happy with them. The Monroes may be OK, but IMO it's pretty hard to beat the Bilsteins.
I would have got the Bilsteins since that is what was on it but orileys doesn't have them available right now. They say special order but when I put in a request I was told they aren't available.
 

PlayingWithTBI

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I have a set of Gabriels on my 88, had them on it for over 20 years now. I keep thinking of going to Bilsteins but, haven't pulled the plug yet.
 
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