need help with shocks????

[Heater63]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

At the same token we build street rods with 18 to 23 degrees of shock angle for better axle control......so I`m thinking if your close to being in line with axle travel angles your still good.

I used ECC's relocator kit ($60), with 4" drop coils. I measured around 20 degrees inclination both longitudinally and transversely, but that was just using my iPhone bubble level LOL.

Here's pics installed

[javadoc]

So, the shock relocation kits are just a bolt-in solution? I'm asking because I don't (yet) have a welding set up.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by javadoc

So, the shock relocation kits are just a bolt-in solution? I'm asking because I don't (yet) have a welding set up.

Yes. Shock relocation 'kits' bolt in where the factory shock mounts are. They simply alter the angles slightly @ the lower heights & add back some of the travel stroke.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by vin63

You can go the Monroe Monro-Matic Plus route:

Fronts: 33033 Rears: 31000

I was out in the shop today and did some measuring. If you have removed the stock rear snubbers, and you have 5" lowering springs (see original post) the 31000 Monroe shocks will bottom out before the rear axle tube contacts the frame. That is not good.

Same kind of story for the front on my truck, the Monroe 33033's will bottom out.


Monroe pdf with shock dim's can be found here: Monroe Shock Mounting Length Sheets

Monroe-Matic (Rear) P/N 31000 Collapsed Length = 12.000"
Monroe-Matic (Front) P/N 33033 Collapsed Length = 10.125"

Here are my measurements (shock mounts are all stock and have not been altered. Stock snubbers have been removed and replaced with custom snubbers) You should compare these measurements to your specific application. :

Edit 02-06-2011: Modified upper shock mount (see post #56 of my build thread). Dimensions shown in red below are shock dim's. with the modified upper mounts.

Rear: I have 5” CPP lowering springs on the rear. All shock dim’s are from eye to eye:

Rear Axle Hanging Free, Tires off the ground: Shock Length = 17-1/2” ---- 16-1/2"
Ride Height, Shock Length = 15-1/2” --- 14-1/4"
Rear axle Bottomed Out on Custom Snubber: Shock Length = 12” --- 11-3/4"
Rear axle Tube Bottomed Out against Frame: Shock Length = 11-1/4” --- 10-1/2"
2-1/2” Suspension Travel Before Contacting Custom Snubber
3-3/4” Suspension Travel Before Axle Tube Contacts Frame (No Snubber)

Shocks: Monro-Matic Plus P/N 32207: 17.875" Extended, 11.250" Collapsed

Front: Previous Owner heated the stock coil springs. All dim’s are from eye to eye:

Front Suspension Hanging Free, Tires off the ground: Shock Length = 14”
Ride Height, Shock Length = 11-1/4”
Lower Control Arm Bottomed Out on Custom Snubber: Shock Length = 9”
Lower Control Arm Bottomed Out, No Snubber = 7”
2” Suspension Travel Before Contacting Snubber
4” Suspension Travel with no Snubber

Shocks: Monroe Gas Magnum RV P/N 555002: 12.750" Extended, 8.625" Collapsed

Edit: 01-24-2011:

Here is a reply I received from a Monroe Web Inquiry in regards to my choices above:

John,

The shock you selected for the rear, 32207, would appear to be close as far as the dampening goes. It is used on old 1/2 ton trucks from Ford and Dodge, so it seems the dampening would be similar. The RV shock you have discovered is a retrofit shock for trailers. The dampening characteristics are similar to the original shock. These will probably work out okay, but I can't really give a solid guarantee on these based on all the modifications.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

Monroe Team Member,

Andy

Also: here is another reply from a Monroe Web Inquiry in regards to Monro-Matic shock installation angles, in the stock positions, mine are 40 degrees off vertical:

Thank you for contacting Tenneco Automotive.

The shocks would not function properly if they were mounted more than 30 degrees off from 90. With them being 40 degrees off, they may tend to have lapses in dampening.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

Monroe Team Member,

Andy

[Heater63]

Damn it's good to have an Engineer on the 60-66 board!

Thanks lakeroadster for all your expertise and help in getting the facts.
I just took Early Classics advice when they recommended the special shocks And relocators for my static rear 4" drop.
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[jimmydean]

I'll put my fronts on when i get home and hope to not bounce down the road.

[65Gregg]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

At the same token we build street rods with 18 to 23 degrees of shock angle for better axle control......so I`m thinking if your close to being in line with axle travel angles your still good.

The top of the shocks on these trucks are canted toward the front of the truck, you're correct in what you are saying about your placement being in line with the axle travel angle.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Yes. Shock relocation 'kits' bolt in where the factory shock mounts are. They simply alter the angles slightly @ the lower heights & add back some of the travel stroke.

Scoti and Heater63,

What angle are your rear shocks at now that you reworked the upper mounts?

I am planning to rework my upper mounts such that they are less than 30 degrees off vertical, per the Monroe reply shown in post 29 above.

Thanks,

John

[Heater63]

John, you must have missed this:

Originally Posted by Heater63

I used ECC's relocator kit ($60), with 4" drop coils. I measured around 20 degrees inclination both longitudinally and transversely, but that was just using my iPhone bubble level LOL.

Here's pics installed

about 20 degrees

[SCOTI]

My angle came to 57° (so 33° from 90). I have always heard less than 35° to keep the shocks efficiency of rebound.

[lakeroadster]

In order to bring the shocks more vertical I plan to build a simple upper mount out of 2" tubing. This mount will bolt to the existing upper mount holes once the rivets are removed. I ran FEA and the stock crossmember is up to the task in regards to handling the bending moment.

Anybody see any reason why this wouldn't work?

Edit 02-06-2011: Fabricated upper shock mounts and they worked great! Full "how to" write up can be found here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451200.

[SCOTI]

You'll have clearance so you should be good.