shocks for the 52's??

[AllamericanK5]

ok sooo i did the 52 swap now im looking at doing the f250 shock towers. What shocks are all of you running im looking at buying maybe 10-12" of movement in the shock is this going to be enough or should i go with more??? dont wana do a 52 and have the shocks limiting them

 

[sled_dog]

what are you looking to spend? Bilstein 5150s would probably be my choice, in fact they were my choice. But they are about $100 a shock.

 

[tarussell]

Sled Dog - what is the travel range of those Bilstien's ?
Thanks , Tom

 

[sled_dog]

14" They are rather large shocks overall, not sure even f250 mounts would be enough. shock hoops would be the best bet(difficult with outside the frame steering box and shaft of k-series).

 

[jekbrown]

BBCS15...

j

 

[sled_dog]

BBCS15...

j

an option I was considering too, looks like a great shock option

 

[79k20350]

im gonna be running 5150's when the time comes 14" too but i know thats still not gojng to be enough for a 56"/ 63" combo

 

[sled_dog]

im gonna be running 5150's when the time comes 14" too but i know thats still not gojng to be enough for a 56"/ 63" combo

will be depending where you mount them. Longer travel the better of course because it lets you mount them farther out on the axle from the center point. Farther out on the axle, the more affective the damping is.

 

[79k20350]

doh double post

 

[79k20350]

i wasnt just talking about dampening, i meant travel. but both will pay a big part. i may have to run two per corner cause thats alot of spring if i run it on the street. they have differant rates available so well see.

 

[sled_dog]

not really, bilsteins are a strong valving shock(the ones I got are anyway). Also they are nitrogen charged which helps.

If you don't understand the very close connection of damping, travel, and shock location, you may want to study it a bit. Most people don't and just install them where they can, nothing wrong with that really but personally I'd rather make full use of my shocks and install them in a way that does so.

Shock mounting location and damping effect is related to leverage... Farther away from the center point of the axle the shock is mounted(and the straighter up and down it is mounted) the more effective the shock is. Theoretically to make maximum use of the damping effect of shocks we want them mounted AT the centerline of the tire. Obviouslly not going to happen...

 

[79k20350]

i understand shock tech. a few years of racing motorcross will do that to you. its all kinda common sense stuff though (to me anyways) just thinking about how a shock works and what forces are on it you can tell whats gonna be the best for your situation. its all trial and error though. well see what happens, i still need to get a wider axle, the 14 bolts just not gonna be wide enough

 

[sled_dog]

14 bolt van rear or Dana 60. I haven't really compared but I think Dana 60s are a little wider inside of drum to inside of drum. My next build will have a 60 either way.

 

[79k20350]

im looking but havent found one yet, only 1 60 and im still looking for a 70/ van 14 or newer 14 but theres not much in new england

 

[sled_dog]

im looking but havent found one yet, only 1 60 and im still looking for a 70/ van 14 or newer 14 but theres not much in new england

you mean not much left in one solid rustless piece? ha

 

[79k20350]

you mean not much left in one solid rustless piece? ha

no its not taht bad up her but its finding one that hasnt been crushed. our yards dont keep things long around here that are that old