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Rear shocks behind the axle?

Yeah, I didn't want to start up a new discussion until I get a little further into this idea. I'm still mulling over my options on what's best. After driving for two years with no shocks at all on the rear, I'm sure anything is going to be an improvement. Thanks for the input...I've considered installing them as shown. I know Missouri Offroad used to sell a bracket that went between the rails for that specific purpose. Even by going all the way inboard on top, though, I won't be able to get 14" of travel. I think the misalignment bushings will cover any stress caused by the 3 or 4 degrees of travel that aren't in the same plane, but that's exactly why I'm asking. The photo just above yours is pretty much what I'm planning, except running the whole setup outside the frame rails. I'm still going to have to drop that lower mount like 6"below the axle tube to get the travel I'm looking for.

This is what I'm thinking, except with shocks instead of coilovers:

shock3.JPG
 
Inboarding shocks is generally a bad idea for vehicle control, you give up a LOT of roll control when you do it. Keeping the shocks as close to the wheel as possible is what makes them as effective as possible. Mounting like that pic with the coilover is a great way to do it if you have the clearance. The stock location on these trucks isn't terrible and is a lot better than moving them inboard. We've also mounted them outboard of the frame with both tops running forward from the axle and that works well. Once again, clearances are sometimes tight there.
 
Thanks for the advice...given the choice of behind the axle or in front of the axle, which would you think is better?
And while we're at it, what should I do about this spring binding in the shackle...I"m sure I'm not the first to encounter this issue. Is there a fix or is it not a big deal. I just don't want to have to change my ride height in a year trying to fix this and then have to buy new shocks....

spring2.JPG


springs.JPG


IMG_0283.JPG
 
I had that switch to the 6" ORD HD shackles all good now, only a slight rise in ride height.
 
Me thinks your shackle should be more perpendicular if that’s at ride height….or is that compressed?
 
Chickntrk said:
Looks like a 56 mounted in 52 position
Click to expand...
Winner. that's what's going on. By a "slight rise" do you mean something that can be compensated for with the coilovers or am I talking big money? If I dropped to a 54" spring, what would that do to ride height? To me, that spring seems very flat where it rides, it would seem a little more arch would be preferable. I don't really know much about why everyone wants the longer springs...what's the improvement supposed to be with running longer springs?
 
shac.JPG


Is this what you speak of? As long as it's not going to change anything as far as my shock mounts go, I'm in...I just hope they don't take six months to get here!
 
Longer springs give a better ride and better flex, can you relocate the shackle hanger back further on the frame? On a truck the holes are already there for 56s, just 4” back from the 52” holes.
 
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You have a hanger position problem, not a shackle length problem.

Definitely don't do anything with the shocks until you correct the spring hanger problem. No sense in putting time, effort and money into shock length and positioning until the related suspension parts can work as they should.
 
cheavyk10 said:
Flip the shackle hangers side to side. It will move the upper position towards the back of the truck.
Click to expand...
So put the driver's side hanger on the passenger's side? I'm not getting it, obviously.
nvrenuf said:
You have a hanger position problem, not a shackle length problem.

Definitely don't do anything with the shocks until you correct the spring hanger problem. No sense in putting time, effort and money into shock length and positioning until the related suspension parts can work as they should.
Click to expand...
OK, I have a spring length problem, too. The springs are 64" eye to eye, as it sits now. Would that be a 56" spring? I don't have any weight in the back, I can't see the spring lengthening 8" from just the weight of the truck. Unfortunately, I can't tell you where the springs came from, they were on there when I bought it...so I don't know what kind of rate they have...but they don't feel overly soft.
 
So the shackle flip is designed to push the shackle Mount forward for better shackle angle (with 52's). By flipping them side to side it will move that mounting position towards the rear of the truck approximately an 1 1/2" or 2". In my attached pic you can see the center line of the bracket in relationship to the shackle mount. These are Superlifts shackle flip but same concept. The shackle angle I have here is pretty close to ideal.
IMG_20220621_072355710.jpg
 
OK, that' makes sense. That might be all it takes. The other issue I have is I'm working with a sub frame, but I don't think it's too different than the k5, least it doesn't look like it.
 
If your springs are 64” eye to eye then that’s a 64” spring….flipping the brackets will work with a 56 but you’ll probably need to love them back for a 64”…..try flipping them first and see…..most guys I’ve seen do 64s move the front and rear hangers
 
I have 56" replaced 52" spring, ORD 4" shackle flip.
At first I tried to move the shackle brackets back 4" on the frame, didn't sit right. Finally I got some good advice here and swapped left and right sides, in the factory 52" spring position.
Truck sat correctly, only later I needed to go to the 6" hd shackle to correct the angle.
Your springs are longer. Measure from eye to center pin on each side, add together.
2 choices move the shackle brackets back the appropriate amount, with left on right and vise versa.
Or get 56" springs.
Possibly the 56" springs might correct the symptoms you are trying to correct with coil overs.
I really don't care for the ride having double springs.
Some dune buggy people put coil over shocks on and the ride is harsh
 
Thanks.....you misundersood me....the coilovers are on the front. Simply leaves on the rear, but I meant correcting the ride height up front to match the rear with the front coilovers. When I measure the springs, they should be off the truck, right? I'm measuring right now with the weight of the truck on the springs. My biggest concern is not wanting to change the driveshaft angles and axle location since all that seems to be dialed in pretty well. It's going to be hard to move the rear hanger back any further, I'm running out of room on the frame. Is the goal to have the hanger pointing straight down?
IMG_0285.JPG
 
Oh cool yeah front coil overs are great.
Shouldn't matter wieght on or off measure from eye to center bolt front and back add the 2 together. This will tell the spring length, and any off set to front or rear
 
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