Rear Shock Mounting - Top of Spring Plate?

[Gibby56]

My rear shock mounts need some love. I’m looking at mounting the shock to the top of the spring plate and pulling them through the bed into the cab.

Im thinking the benefits are getting the shocks up and out of the way, a vertical shock angle for more effective dampening, etc.

Does anyone have any feedback on how it works out in reality? I see it more often used in the go fast world vs the rock donkeys and I’m not too sure why

Any pictures, experience, tips/advice are appreciated!

Truck is a 1990 K5 that is used for crawling.

 

[nvrenuf]

Going through the bed floor on the inside or outside of the frame? Since you are shooting for vertical, check your wheel tubs for rub marks. I do not have bump stops and my tires rub right where the shocks would be if vertical like that.

 

[skunked]

Keeping the shock out of the tire and away from the frame can be difficult depending on the tire size/lift and rim offset. This is something I've been pondering however I also need to package bump stops in that same area.

 

[Gibby56]

Going through the bed floor on the inside or outside of the frame? Since you are shooting for vertical, check your wheel tubs for rub marks. I do not have bump stops and my tires rub right where the shocks would be if vertical like that.

I’m thinking on the outside of the frame. So lower mount will be welded to the spring plate or a diy4x bump stop pad that bolts to the top of the ubolts closer to the outside ubolts. My idea is that this will give them a little lean in on each side.

For the upper mount, i was thinking of using a hole saw to cut through the bed portion, pretty much center of the wheel well location and tieing into the cage via a hoop

Keeping the shock out of the tire and away from the frame can be difficult depending on the tire size/lift and rim offset. This is something I've been pondering however I also need to package bump stops in that same area.

I’m pretty basic. Rear is a shackle flip, 63’s, a zero rate 1” forward to center the axle, and 6” shackles. Wheels are 17x8.5 with a 4.5” offset. Tires are well loved 37x13.50 Toyo MT’s. I’m not planning on moving away from the factory bump location for now.

Love your truck btw. I’m trying to copy how you did your front suspension. I’m running into clearance issues with the ORD sway bar and contemplating if i want hoops now or wait until i link it. How is it driving to and from the trails?

 

[skunked]

I’m thinking on the outside of the frame. So lower mount will be welded to the spring plate or a diy4x bump stop pad that bolts to the top of the ubolts closer to the outside ubolts. My idea is that this will give them a little lean in on each side.

For the upper mount, i was thinking of using a hole saw to cut through the bed portion, pretty much center of the wheel well location and tieing into the cage via a hoop


I’m pretty basic. Rear is a shackle flip, 63’s, a zero rate 1” forward to center the axle, and 6” shackles. Wheels are 17x8.5 with a 4.5” offset. Tires are well loved 37x13.50 Toyo MT’s. I’m not planning on moving away from the factory bump location for now.

Love your truck btw. I’m trying to copy how you did your front suspension. I’m running into clearance issues with the ORD sway bar and contemplating if i want hoops now or wait until i link it. How is it driving to and from the trails?

If you haven’t already, I would cycle the rear suspension so you can verify the clearance required, measure for shock length and the optimal mounting locations. I’ve seen numerous squarebody trucks setup this way so it’s entirely possible.

The truck drives fine to and from the trail with some body sway, but it’s manageable around town and down the highway at 55mph. Let me know if you need any info on the hoops, that’s my second version after swapping out shocks.

 

[anwat]

Here's some photos of how mine was done. I just got done removing the cage and welding up the floor. I didn't have any clearance issues, however it renders the bed area of the truck almost useless. I needed a place to put my gear for when I go out, so I'm moving mine back under the bed and sacrificing a little travel. Might give you some ideas, though....


By the way....whoever is in charge over there at CK5...love the new format. Much easier to use in my opinion, especially inserting photos!

 

[bmxbryant9]

If you end up putting the shocks on the spring mount I have some brackets for sale that weld in the plate.