Shock placement

[bbcmudtruck]

I recently removed the old bed off the truck and cut the c notches in. While I was doing that, I noticed that both of the shocks have been relocated to the front of the axle. Now a little history before we move on. The p/o cut a long wheel based truck down to a short bed. When he did that he relocated the leaf springs under the axle. He did a very good job on all the above. However when he relocated the shocks, he did not get the driver side shock straight and it is very close to the frame. He also didn't weld the bottom shock tabs in the same position, meaning the driver side shock is compressed more than the passenger side by at least an inch at static position. I already know I need to cut the lower shock tab off and relocate it, my question is should I have both rear shocks pointed towards the front of the truck? I'll go snap a picture of the current setup for reference. I'm trying to get the most traction as possible. I'm nearing the end of my 496 build and its very healthy 700/700 hp/tq + range for power.

[bbcmudtruck]

Here is a picture of the shock placements. The driver side is not correct. However before I cut it off and weld it back in, I want to be sure that I should point it towards the front lime the other side. Or would I be better off pointing out the back? Thoughts!

[sduckworth13]

Get the Porterbuilt rear shock crossmembers. It allows the shock to function properly. I read the having a angle greater than 18 degrees doesn't allow the shocks to function as they should and your shocks look like they are at a 45 degree angle. Yes the Porterbuilt setup is a little more expensive than other rear shock relocators brackets but it's a cool looking setup that will allow your shocks to function as they are intended.

[sduckworth13]

To answer your question, I know that from the factory setup the shocks are situated one in the front on one side and one in the back on the other side to help prevent axle wrap. I haven't had a chance to get this setup I have on the road yet to see if I'll have any issues. I'm only pushing around 400hp so I don't think it'll be a issue for me.

[bbcmudtruck]

Well it looks like the porter built setup is ok with running both shocks pointed towards the front. I dont think I need to buy that particular setup, I just need to know how to place them. I can weld and fab, just need to know where to put them! The porter built stuff looks second to none. Are you running their rear cross members as well? Ill put an angle finder on them and see what they are currently set up at. Also got to thinking, do I set the shocks to bottom out at full travel, or do I leave a little meat on the bone? I know I dont want to over extend them, but I could always put limiting straps in there if needed. The shocks in the front are belltech drop shocks. I havent had a chance to run the part numbers on the rear yet, but would like to run something nice. Recommendations for rear shocks and shock specs would be helpful! Like brand, length, travel, weight etc.. thanks!

[sduckworth13]

I'm running all the Porterbuilt crossmembers. It looks like you have a leaf springs suspension. I'm not a expert but If you call Travis @ ProPerformance on Monday he can help you with your setup. Travis is a vendor here on the forum and very sharp.
https://www.azproperformance.com
480-420-8175

[bbcmudtruck]

Hey thansk man. I appreciate a good place to start!

[sduckworth13]

No problem, good luck with your setup.

[Andy4639]

The late model shocks on trucks no days have the stagard shock's on them our models all were in front of the rear end. The shock should be mounted as straight up as possible. A little angle is OK but the more angle U have the less shock effect U get and it just acts as a nother part moving up and down with the travel of the rear end.
The further U can mount them out on the rear end will also help to stablize the truck in corners for traction.

[bbcmudtruck]

When you say mount them out on the rear end, are you referring towards the frame? I can see now what your talking about having the shocks angled more vertically, when looking at his porterbuilt setup. So far it looks like I will need to relocate the lower shock mounts towards the front of the cab quite a bit. Should I build some sort of a cross member to tie the lower mounts together and come out towards the cab from the bottom of the axle, or would I be just fine making some longer and possibly lower hanging individual tabs that come off the bottom of the axle? Also, while I'm at it, where and how would I mount a rear sway bar on a lowered leaf spring truck?

[knomadd]

I'm not sure how you'd move the lower shock mount forward much. Or why you'd want to for that matter. Unless you've got more suspension travel than your shocks can handle, it will actually hurt the performance of your shocks. The further forward you move them the less they can actually do their job. There would be less shock stroke as you move forward.

This is how mine are mounted. Very similar to a factory mount, just forward slightly. As you can see from this picture, the shock is mounted in front of the rear end. It's the same on both sides. I don't know of any companies that make staggered shock mounts for these trucks. So it's not necessary by any means.

Sorry, this is the best pic I have right now.

[bbcmudtruck]

By moving it forward, I was asking if I should just build some new tabs that are a little longer on the bottom that would help me get the shocks more vertical to the truck? I have been super busy and not able to do anything to the truck since thanksgiving, so I don't have any progress to report. I will give that suspension shop a call as soon as I can get the time to sit down with a pen and paper while having the truck out in front of me. Thanks for the help guys, keep it coming if you've got something else to add! Still needing to know where you would put a rear sway bar on a leaf spring truck or if its even needed? No idea! This is my first 2 wheel drive build. Everything else I've done has been for offroad/non street legal 4wheel drives.

[lolife99]

Starting with the 1973 trucks,... they staggered them from the factory.
All the factory leaf spring 67-72 trucks had both shocks facing forward,... just like your picture shows.

This is a common problem on 67-72 leaf spring (only) trucks.
No one has really addressed getting the shocks more "vertical".
Even the Porterbuilt set-up is for coil spring/trailing arm trucks.

Whatever you do,... you need to get your shocks more vertical.
It might take a shorter shock.
It might take moving the top mount rearward and the lower mount forward.

Good luck.
Let us know what you come up with.

[ulakovic22]

If I were in your situation, I would move the top of the shock back, keeping the top of the shock level with the frame. If I could move the bottom forward a little I would do it, but not too much. I would also leave a little meat on the bone in terms of stroke as well, it's never good to bottom out a shock.

[Andy4639]

The further back on the frame U go the better.
Once U have the shock verticle but have it up close to the pivit spot of the arms U have defeated it's purpose.
Here is the 'No Limit' kit I used. I love it. U can also buy a coil spring shock to mount like this and take the factory coils out. U just have to find the right size springs for the truck weight.
There was a company long ago who sold the kit but they have quit making it. That's why I went with no limit's kit.

[lolife99]

The no limit kit is a great product,... but the OP has a leaf spring truck.
No trailing arms.

[bbcmudtruck]

Yep, no coils. Looks like the no limit kit moved the lower shock position a little forward? I'm on board with moving both the upper and lower towards each other, just didn't know which would be better. Thanks for all the help thus far! I'm going to keep researching until I can find a way to get it done right the first time. Once I figure it out, I will post up my results! I can't be the only guy that has dropped a leaf spring truck and not had to relocate the shocks am I?

[Andy4639]

Sorry yea I for got about it being leafs.
If U fab it your self just make sure u get them as verticle as possible and get them as close to the frame and axle that U can.

Here is what I'm talking about. Fab a bar across the frame rail and mount the shocks this article is for a even older truck but serves the same purpose.



http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/09.../photo_12.html

[ulakovic22]

Originally Posted by bbcmudtruck

Yep, no coils. Looks like the no limit kit moved the lower shock position a little forward?

The No-Limit kit moves everything. Originally the upper shock mounts to a cross bar in front of the differential towards the center. The lower shock mount is on the inside of the trailing arm in close relation to the front part of the u-bolt. The No Limit kits moves the lower mount to the back of the trailing arm as you can see and the upper mount is taken off the cross bar and moved to the frame rail behind the axle. In the picture above you can see the panhard bar mount which is on the drivers side behind the axle as well.

[bbcmudtruck]

Exactly what I was asking earlier Andy, I was just thinking of doing that to bottom mounts. Seems as though I could build a cross member for the shocks across the top, so as long it doesn't interfere with the bed? I plan on getting my rear brake lines built and my gas tank stuck into place this weekend, so I can get the bed mounted. I need to get to serious work on this shock issue! Thank you guys for all the help, it is greatly appreciated.

Still have that lingering question though, where and how would I mount a rear sway bar on a leaf spring truck?

[Andy4639]

Looking at the same picture U could add the sway bar also. Attach to frame with the longer tie rods to drop it down to the axle.

[wraprail]

Back when I still had leaf springs. Upper mounts were cut off stock rear end. (welder was ****ed up)