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dual shocks with 52's up front?

muddybuddy

muddybuddy

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anybody done this? with my lifted 52's up front with the overload removed my front is super soft. i pretty sure running dual shock would stiffen up the ride some, which is what im looking for. i know mrk5 is running some $$ shocks with custom valving and that would be the ideal fix probably, but ive got 6 of the same shocks (4 new for the truck and 2 on another truck of mine) so if dual up front will help the issue then ill do that since ive already got them. what do you guys think? thanks
 
ya, i think that would help pretty well, blown shocks make a truck really soft and loose and a good single makes it better so i can imagine dual shocks would stiffen it up
 
I went through this recently ... the Gabriels I'd bought a coupla years ago were already shot, grrrr. You might pop your current shocks off and see if they're still springy. I put a set of Tuff Countries on there, and lo and behold my front end tightened up. (We'll see how long these last ... I had them left over from before I went 52/56, so that's why I used 'em.)

-- A
 
My truck had a cheap set from AZ that didnt last a yr. I just took them off and they wouldnt extend by them selfs ( like when new).
Im hoping these new good ones plus a Drag link make mine quit doing what muddybuddy`s is doing.
 
well i havent actually put shocks on it yet, but i driven the truck before (with regular lift springs w/o shocks around the neighborhood) and it would still drive straight and wasnt that bad, but with the lifted TC 52's its all over the place. i also dont have a steering stablizer on it, but am planning to get the hydro-assist on this week. hopefully the shocks and assist clear it up
 
can you add a nother leaf to the pack the shocs should help but it sounds liek maybe the spring rate is to soft. do you have the reaf shocks on is it only the front walowing around or the whole truck.
 
I would try one shock first and see how you like it. Shocks make a HUGE difference in how the truck handles.

You can always add another (or buy stiffer shocks) if you need to.
 
How are you planning to mount the shocks? I know the trucks that came with the factory dual shock mounts have the second mount up a few inches higher, hence a longer shock. If you used the second mount with some Ford towers or something similar it might help. One idea I've heard of for a single shock mount is to get some Rancho 9000 adjustables. Then you could tune it to where you are comfortable with it.
 
ive got the inner C mounts from diy4x and towers that mrk5 made for me for single shock setup, but if i run a shock on the outside of each tab, that will allow me to run 2 shocks on each side. me and a buddy are doing it tomorrow so ill post pics once its done
 
any updates on this? I finially was able to take my k5 on its first drive with all new suspension (lifted 52" T.C.'s up front with 56" and a johnny jointed shackle flip in the rear) and all i can say is that i need to double up shocks up front and put in a panhard or traction bar on the front and rear. the truck would tilt a good 6+ inches just turning outta the driveway to one side:crazy:.. it is crazy soft, and a lil scary.. so i was just wondering how you had your double shocks set up?
 
k5 krawler 50 said:
any updates on this? I finially was able to take my k5 on its first drive with all new suspension (lifted 52" T.C.'s up front with 56" and a johnny jointed shackle flip in the rear) and all i can say is that i need to double up shocks up front and put in a panhard or traction bar on the front and rear. the truck would tilt a good 6+ inches just turning outta the driveway to one side:crazy:.. it is crazy soft, and a lil scary.. so i was just wondering how you had your double shocks set up?
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The johnny joints in the rear (rather than bushings) will make your suspension pretty unstable and will cause horrible street manners.

Using flex joints (i.e. johnny joints or similar) on a leaf sprung suspension in place of bushings is generally considered unacceptable for street use.
 
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k5 krawler 50 said:
hmm.. that would explain that..lol.. so you dont think running a panhard, or running stiffer shocks would help?
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You mention the truck leaning badly when turning, a panhard will do just about nothing and dual shocks would have a minimal effect in regards to correcting this problem. Sounds like you need a swaybar, or at least stiffen up the spring packs....or maybe both.
 
6.2Blazer said:
You mention the truck leaning badly when turning, a panhard will do just about nothing and dual shocks would have a minimal effect in regards to correcting this problem. Sounds like you need a swaybar, or at least stiffen up the spring packs....or maybe both.
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thats what i meant was a swaybar, thanks for the correction.
 
well i ended up just running a single shock up front because of the pitman arm when turning, the dual shocks wouldnt fit. ill post up pics tomorrow of my shock setup
 
here are some pics. the bottom is mounted to the inner c's and mrk5 (scott) made me the towers.

DSCN1049.JPG

DSCN1050.JPG

DSCN1051.JPG

DSCN1052.JPG
 
cool deal.. thanks man, i think i'm gonna need more then double shocks up front to control my body roll, but your pics gave me some ideas, on how i mite be able to go about, so thanks.
 
:D
muddybuddy said:
here are some pics. the bottom is mounted to the inner c's and mrk5 (scott) made me the towers.
Click to expand...

I am running the 3" King Reservoir shocks. The nice thing about these is that I just put 63's in the rear and 52's in the front and I originally had stock length springs in the front and rear. So, obviously my ride is going to be a bit softer. Then, with these King's I am going to be able to revalve them and stiffen them up for the new springs. I highly recommend these shocks, even when I had 8" lift springs, my blazer didn't bounce around at all, always stuck right to the trail.
 
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