I am getting close to completion of my project truck. Its a solid axle swapped s10, dana44/ford 9", sitting on leaf springs. It is time to start looking at shock mounting. I have questions about angles of the shocks.
Truck will be not see much on road use, mostly trailered to trails. Should end up being a pretty stout trail rig and be able to handle some rocks. On the rear suspension I am thinking of triangulating the mounting of the shocks. I have a pair of shock mounting tabs to weld to the top of the axle tube, but I think I may want to go with a stud or bracket or something coming off the housing to get an extra two inches or so of shock length. I will make a crossmember to mount the top of the shocks angled up and inwards. Is there an 'ideal' angle to mount them at? And once it is together, how do I determine the best length shock?
And for the front suspension, I have some shock hoops to weld on. Now I have the same question about shock angle for the front, what is the best angle? I have seen rigs where the shock is mounted perfectly vertical, and I have seen rigs where the top of the shock is tilted towards the rear (almost like caster angle). What are pros/cons of these angles?
And after I have the mounts all welded up, how do I measure for proper shock length?
Truck will be not see much on road use, mostly trailered to trails. Should end up being a pretty stout trail rig and be able to handle some rocks. On the rear suspension I am thinking of triangulating the mounting of the shocks. I have a pair of shock mounting tabs to weld to the top of the axle tube, but I think I may want to go with a stud or bracket or something coming off the housing to get an extra two inches or so of shock length. I will make a crossmember to mount the top of the shocks angled up and inwards. Is there an 'ideal' angle to mount them at? And once it is together, how do I determine the best length shock?
And for the front suspension, I have some shock hoops to weld on. Now I have the same question about shock angle for the front, what is the best angle? I have seen rigs where the shock is mounted perfectly vertical, and I have seen rigs where the top of the shock is tilted towards the rear (almost like caster angle). What are pros/cons of these angles?
And after I have the mounts all welded up, how do I measure for proper shock length?