McGaughys rear flip kit/shock mount MAJOR ISSUE!

[ProStreet83C10]

ok guys, so tonight i went to install my rear shocks, put top in place and went to put rear in, stick the shock in between the mounts and find out that the outside of the shock mount is between 1/8" and 1/4" from the leaf spring pack since doing flip kit. what the H3LL did i do wrong and what can i do to correct this. im pre registered for a big car show in cedar falls iowa this weekend and i NEED my truck done by thurs so i can get it aligned on fri. Heres a pic of what exactly is going on.

[lolife99]

Normally on the 73-87 trucks I run a shock extender.
These help "stand up" the shocks so they actually function better.
These are Western Chassis brand.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Weste...-/220686052531

I tried to find a set from McGaughy's but I dont see that they make them.
You might have to call your suspension supplier.

Do you have a picture of the entire rearend and suspension?

[rwhit57]

Make sure everything is lined up correctly and your leaf springs are sitting straight. If they are, you can grind enough off of that plate to clear the bolt. You might have to put the shock bolt in first and then the plate. Make sure everything is lined up and your sitting on the pins.

[80stepsideguy]

You put in the flip kit n now the bottom bolt of the shock doesnt line up to the shock mount on the rearend?I got the 5 inch flip kit myself and i dont have the shock extenders and i got the shock bolt in ok.If you have to get the bolt started in the rearend shock mount and take a small sledge hammer and hammer the bolt in.


thanks
pat

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Hey guys I'm running into this same issue on my truck. I can't get my shock extenders or even just my shock without the lower play being in the way. I do t want to grind clearance cause it will take to much material away from around the u bolt hole
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[Goldfinger]

Could you bend it to where the mounts are parallel

[Hertzdaddy]

Try loosening up the spring plates (after putting the body on jack stands and lifting/supporting the axle) and lowering/shoving them over enoght to slip the shock mount bolt through with the head on the plate side. Tighten up the shock bolt and then the spring plates. They may touch the bolt but it should tighten up ok. Make sure the plate slips by the bolt when tightening.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

This is my issue here
.

then the shock extendor is to wide? Is it supposed to pinch tighter on the shock?
Can't figure this out and I'm getting frustrated to the point of taking this to it

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[J Knight]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

This is my issue here
.

then the shock extendor is to wide? Is it supposed to pinch tighter on the shock?
Can't figure this out and I'm getting frustrated to the point of taking this to it

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Put a washer on each side of the shock like a spacer and sinch it down. Also if you still have the overload spring you can remove it to make the ubolt plate clear the hole for the shock extender mount bolt

[bigblock73]

My WC flip kit had a similar issues, but not quite that close. I still had to install the lower shock bolts before I installed the axle plates all the way. It will make for a PITA shock change at a later date, but it got me on the road with no problems. I never run shock extenders, they aren't needed/required if the proper drop shocks are used.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I use them since they give a better shock ratio and angle.
Not to mention I have lowering shackles as well to lower it an inch or two further
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[J Knight]

I use shock extenders for a few reasons.
1. The bolt to mount the shock extender is smaller than the shock bolt and fits better between the ubolt plate after minor grinding.
2. No need to remove ubolts to change shocks.
3. Can use stock shocks with no problem.
4. They maintain correct shock angle.

[Square_78]

I didnt have any problems with mine. I know it was close, but everything bolted up fine. As for the shock extender issue, why not run the two existing bolts and just run some welds around it to make up for the missing bolt. Easy fix.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I only have three leaf springs with an overloaded that normal? I may remove the overload but I'm unsure about it
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[J Knight]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

I only have three leaf springs with an overloaded that normal? I may remove the overload but I'm unsure about it
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The overload spring only becomes effective is if the three thin leafs are layed flat across the top of it. You will actually bump your frame before the overload becomes effective. Removing it is not a problem and it won't lower the rear any with a flip kit.
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[chebyshortbox65]

Make spacers for the shock extenders that's what I did you can use washers if you like.I have the same flip kit its close but dosent touch I used diffrent nuts on the bolts I also ran drop shocks it rode ok so I put extenders and run bell tech shocks and it rides much better not as soft
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[74 stepside]

I had to remove a little bit of metal from the plate that the u-bolts go thru. I used a plasma, made it fairly simple. You can also use a grinder but might have to remove the plate for access. I also used shock extenders. If you still cant get a nut in there try a thin jamb nut.

[silvereagle07]

I put the shock extender bolt in first. Notched the bottom plate just a tiny bit and put it in place. You can use flat washers beside either side of the shock to get it tight. My truck has been like that for years.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Alright guys well I'm going to pull everything apart again and pull the overloads. I much rather have less weight anyway. I will machine some spacers for the shocks and grind the plates a little for clearance. I do have a cnotch but idk if the frame will still bottom out before the overloads become effective.

Another q's why is my new u bolts in my kit so damn long?!! Haha
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[J Knight]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Another q's why is my new u bolts in my kit so damn long?!! Haha
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Probably because some 1/2 tons have as many as 7 or 8 leafs.

[cory d]

when i flipped my axle i didnt check to see if i can remove the shock. now when i need to replace tehm i am going to have to take the leaves of then i can put the bolt in from the other side and use a jam nut for more clearence. good think that when i put my dirtbike in the bed i bottem ou the shocks on anything. hey cory, we put the drop hangers on stevens truck and removed the three bottem leaves. that dropped it allot since the 3 smaller leaves had way more arch to them. do you think it would be better to run the two big leaves and the small one or the two big ones and the overload. its going to be a straight 6 truck that probably wont haul anything over 300lbs

^ my u-bolts are really long too, i run 5 leafs and the overload, you can even see them in my pictue

[cory d]

i have enough leaves to not have a problem after i flip the bolt around. what about a small lift block under the leaf pack?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

A block wouldn't be good when I'm going to use slicks to launch this thing at the track

Cory D I would run the three top springs and no overload if it isn't going to haul anything. Mine hauled about 650 before it bottomed out on the stock bumpstops with the four inch drop. If you want it lower move the rear shackle mount up since you had them off anyways
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