I asked this in Chevelle Tech and probably should have posted here. A friend acquired a 69 with the following rear shock set up. Ladder traction bars and rear lower shock mounts welded onto the axle housing. The shocks are vertical and go up into what appears to be an eyelet on the top. Both ends of the shock appear to be an eyelet. It has coil over springs and we can read the shocks are Gabriel Red Ryder gas.
He wants to know kind of set up this is and how to determine what shock he can replace it with.
He has installed Bilsteins on the front already.
I have to say after driving it, it drives and handles exceptionally well. The front and rear appear to be dropped 2"
I have some pictures at dnmcduffie@yahoo.com if interested.
Thanks.

The suspension has been converted away from stock. What you need are coilover shocks. The hard part is knowing which to get. Find a truck stop. Weigh the vehicle, then weigh it again with just the back tires. Measure the mounting points for the shocks. Measure them again with the back frame on stands with tires off the ground. With the frame still supported, remove shocks and lift the rear end to it's highest point with a jack and measure from mounting point to mounting point one last time. Take these numbers and call bilstein and give them the numbers.