So I got me REAL shocks(pics)INSTALLED 9-23-10

[sponsoredbydad]

So on the front I got from ORD a set of custom springs but only 45" the stock length and on the rear I'm gona run my stock pack spruced up with a shackle flip cuz $$$ right now have run low and I squandered my money on those foxes but thought it was the right thing to do cuz in the dunes you want your front to soak it up .AND THATS THE STORY I"M STICKIN WITH.

 

[mnstrburbon]

So on the front I got from ORD a set of custom springs but only 45" the stock length and on the rear I'm gona run my stock pack spruced up with a shackle flip cuz $$$ right now have run low and I squandered my money on those foxes but thought it was the right thing to do cuz in the dunes you want your front to soak it up .AND THATS THE STORY I"M STICKIN WITH.

Ill second that story, too bad the rear of my truck say's push 40 mph and the front say's 15 mph you crazy. I cant afford to do the front right now but I'm still looking have not seen anything on race dezert yet.
Nice build keep it up so you dont miss the season it's almost here.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

My goal is for New Years, I can hear DUMONT callin

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Well I attempted to mount those new shocks and found out that the race series were wider than the stock mounts on the axle. I then attempted to widen them to the best of my fab skills. I'll cross my fingers that they hold.







Now I need some advice about the angle of that ford mount for the top. Does this angle look ok. The shock is compressed about 1/2 way (6 3/4 inches) please comment away.


Thanks

 

[sponsoredbydad]

One more pic

 

[ktmoutfront]

Gussets or some type of added bracing for the mounts. Angle should be OK.

 

[bot0611]

Angle seems ok, your not hitting anything on hi speeds so a bend shaft will not be an issue, also i always get my shocks shafts 1" in after half way, cause i haev more travel depending on the springs you have.

 

[mnstrburbon]

My only thing would be if you move the axle forward it is going to add to the angle. If that is in the future plans might want to consider it. I think they might need to be higher measure the distance between the factory bump and axle and post it. And how much lift i think it was 4?

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Yea 4' lift. Bottom of bump to axle is 13"---bottom of bump to top of spring pack topper is 8"
Not planning to move axle but I could always move the hanger only 3 bolts holding it on.

 

[1976Blazer76]

The way I did it was pulled my spring pack apart and left the main leaf in. To make up for the missing leaves I put in a spacer the same thickness. I then bottomed out my suspension to where my main leaf was flat. Then you know exactly where your shock will bottom out. I left 1" of shaft showing on my shock to take into account I hit something hard and slightly compress the bump stop. Doing this will also allow you to see exactly where you want your bump stop to be.

 

[mnstrburbon]

If i read the measurements right you have 6 3/4 of shock shaft left and 8 inches to the bump stop. If that's correct the shock will need to go up or you will be limiting the up travel , unless you plan on lowering the bump. I don't think those springs will droop out much but cycle both evenly up and down.
You don't want the spring to negative arch much if at all it will ruin the springs really fast so set the bumps and such at that point and then set up the shock. my .02

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Does it matter that I'm only frame, no body , motor, well anything really? Do I need the weight to set these right , should I wait until it gets put together more?

 

[mnstrburbon]

Thats why i asked for the measurement body and weight will have no effect on how for the springs will travel bump stop and shock will be the big limiters.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Ok will check it out and post new pic. Hopefully tonite

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Measured and eyeballed and this is what seems to be the closest. I've got 8 1/2" of stem to push upward and about 5" to go down when wheels max droop. I don't think I've even got that much travel anyways. The top hanger is now at it's max height also.

 

[mnstrburbon]

Looks good.
I have seen some 4 inch lift springs flex and droop pretty good seems like you have it all dialed in now,
Side note you might want to plate the bottom of the shock tabs for more support also, Maybe not fully so they wont trap debris.
Also i was looking at the ruffstuff shock towers they seem alot better than the ford ones, that is what i am planing on using.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Well for now those ford ones will work. Maybe after I get her all put back together I will just fab up some nice hoops. I just want to drive it again, it's been 5 yrs that's way toooo long. Thanks for the advice. As far as the rear shocks go guess I'll need to wait to put the body back on so I will know where to cut the holes for the mounts to extend those.

 

[miniwally]

I don't understand how you can set up shocks without the body, and all of the things that get in the way on the vehicle.

If it was me I would wait to mount the shocks. I also have serious doubts about the ford shock towers holding up with out a cross brace between the towers and some added gusseting.

Those triple bypasses are going to put a lot of pressure on those mounts.

 

[blowedupmotor87]

I don't understand how you can set up shocks without the body, and all of the things that get in the way on the vehicle.

If it was me I would wait to mount the shocks. I also have serious doubts about the ford shock towers holding up with out a cross brace between the towers and some added gusseting.

Those triple bypasses are going to put a lot of pressure on those mounts.

I would definitely agree with miniwally! When we put the towers on my Jimmy, their position was dictated partially by the firewall and stuff mounted to it. You could end up figuring out the perfect spot and then discover ya have to make big pockets into the firewall in order to put the body back on! Also, with those nice, high $ shocks, why skimp and run the dinky stock mounts on the axle? I have noticed that my shocks are not very happy in the stock axle mounts since they are at a different angle from my towers and that angle difference is wearing out the poly bushings in the eyes of my shocks due to the twisting force and I am only running about 3.5-4" of uptravel. I'd hate to see ya ruin some nice shocks due to cheap mounts!

 

[kgblazerfive]

I would agree with the mount thing, cut the factory one off put one on top of the axle, lots of venders sell them, put the body on and figure out where to mount the shock. You will have steering issues on the drivers side to deal with too with the ford mount, just needs to be notched a bit.