Rear shock tower

[white90burb]

So im looking at upgrading the rear springs on my 75 k5 from stock 52s and shackle flip to 64 inch springs. I most definitely do not want to inboard the shocks, so that really leaves mounting them inside the cab. Have tried searching for images but have not seen anything.
Also whats the best way to check for range of articulation for springs?

 

[rampage]

You could do a cantilever setup. Is there a reason that someone like ORD doesn’t come out with that?

 

[white90burb]

I mean that would prolly put you close to the price of doing links.

 

[HankScorpio]

Shocks don't have to be vertical to work. Laying them back at an angle does change the effective dampening but a different spec shock can be used and will still control the axle. This can get you a lot of articulation without cutting the body.

 

[Stephen]

You have to be careful with overall cost in general when you start looking at a long travel rear suspension. Add up the cost of long travel 64" springs, shackles, bushings, ubolts, plates, perches, possibly spring hangers plus potential for a traction bar system and then put a good shock (2.5" smoothie or better) with it and links and coilovers look much more achievable.

Best bet for mounting a big shock with leaves is to mount them at the very end of the axle tube and angle forward. It might be worth even mounting the springs a little inboard like a K30 to pick up a little space for the shock.

 

[white90burb]

Well i currently have a 14b geared locked mounted with stock worn out springs and a shackle flip. Springs are worn as my rig leans slightly one way. I dont have the tools and welding ability to link. I already have ord springs up front. I like leafs theyre simple they work no small parts to fail, ie heims. I know what im getting involved in, im just looking for how others how done big shocks in the back. Im ok with putting them into the cab tbh, it will give me something to work with.

 

[K85 Octane]

I didn’t have to go across with the cage bar with what you see, but I use it for a belt mount when the rear seat is in. Shocks mount to the vertical bar, not ideal but it’s setup for coils later. Just behind the bottle is one. Cage ties into the frame at the body mount. Shock mounts to the top of the spring plate.

 

[jkroberts]

Kind of a crappy picture... but this is a 2.5x12 shock mounted under the bed. The rear cycles 14.5" of wheel travel with a 56" spring. Depending on how your 64" spring was built, it could be capable of 18" of travel. Bronco guys are getting that much with a leaf spring and still running a 12" travel bypass under the bed. The best way to see what will work is to break the rear spring down to only the main leaf and go to full bump which is where the spring is flat. Do not go more than 1" negative arch. Once there, hold up a 2.5x12 shock bottomed out and see where it fits. You can run them at an angle up to 45° but at that point you have to have a bypass because at that angle the shocks are very digressive . The shocks on this k5 were at about 30° from vertical at full bump. As you can see, at droop they come closer to vertical.

 

[white90burb]

Kind of a crappy picture... but this is a 2.5x12 shock mounted under the bed. The rear cycles 14.5" of wheel travel with a 56" spring. Depending on how your 64" spring was built, it could be capable of 18" of travel. Bronco guys are getting that much with a leaf spring and still running a 12" travel bypass under the bed. The best way to see what will work is to break the rear spring down to only the main leaf and go to full bump which is where the spring is flat. Do not go more than 1" negative arch. Once there, hold up a 2.5x12 shock bottomed out and see where it fits. You can run them at an angle up to 45° but at that point you have to have a bypass because at that angle the shocks are very digressive . The shocks on this k5 were at about 30° from vertical at full bump. As you can see, at droop they come closer to vertical.

Where do the shocks mount on the axle?

 

[Truckman4life]

Here's how I did mine starting on this page and the few that follow. I have 5" lift 64" springs with longer shackles mounted in the stock style. Diy4x has a kit to do rear 64" springs. At the time I did it there was not one available so I modified my stock hangers and did my own. I have just had some rags stuffed around the shocks to keep the dust out and haven't gotten around to boxing in the holes with metal yet. I can max out a 12" travel shock and currently don't have any rear bump stops.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/83-k...les-rear-discs-boring-but-works.324516/page-3

 

[anwat]

Here's some photos of my setup:
I'm actually trying to figure out a way to get these out of the bed without giving up too much of the travel I have. Between the spare tire and the shock cage, I don't have much room for my camping gear and I need a flat surface to make my bed on....i could even go with dropping the cage a few inches and running some sort of false floor on top of the fenderwell, but that's going to waste a lot of space and make it even harder to get into the back from the ground. I know mounting lower on the axle will help, and I was thinking of inboarding the top mounts almost to the middle of the truck, although from what I've read, it would be better to move the upper mounts forward instead.

 

[anwat]

So im looking at upgrading the rear springs on my 75 k5 from stock 52s and shackle flip to 64 inch springs. I most definitely do not want to inboard the shocks, so that really leaves mounting them inside the cab. Have tried searching for images but have not seen anything.
Also whats the best way to check for range of articulation for springs?

Did you ever make a decision on this? Like to know what you did, I'm getting ready to put mine under the torch and would like to know if you have any more to add?

 

[white90burb]

I have springs and new rear shackles. Having to work on my house has put progress at a crawl.

 

[anwat]

I have springs and new rear shackles. Having to work on my house has put progress at a crawl.

I hear ya, it all comes down to time and money...and you never seem to have both at the same time, right? This virus thing hasn't helped, either!