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09-27-2011, 01:25 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
I ground out the factory upper shock mount rivets and installed ECE's shock relocating brackets. I was imagining how my exhaust will snake over the diff and outside the framerails and noticed my rear upper shock mounts are not symetrical. The location differs by more than an inch side-to-side
1. Is it supposed to be like this? I'm thinking not. 2. Should I worry about it and relocate one of the brackets? Is it going to ride noticibly different if I don't? 3. Is yes to #2, which side? I'm guessing make the shock that is less vertical, more vertical. That was the whole point in the shock relocation kit when I did the 6" drop springs. Damn if I'd noticed this before powdercoating the frame I could have fixed it!
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"I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle |
09-27-2011, 07:54 AM | #2 |
Just a car guy
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Location: New Washington, IN
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
I noticed that on mine as well.
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1955 belair Blown Pro Street cruiser 1971 Camaro Pro Touring 1973 Vega Drag Car 1970 C20 tow rig |
09-27-2011, 09:49 AM | #3 |
The Older Generation
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
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I can't imagine it would be enough to make a difference in ride (or anything else for that matter). I would just roll with it. Just my 2¢ worth. LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
09-27-2011, 09:51 AM | #4 |
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Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
You won't notice it. Move it if it's something you can't live with otherwise I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Been like that for over 40 years.
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09-27-2011, 06:25 PM | #5 |
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Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
It has to be factory as I checked two of our trucks, (71, 72 2wd) and the left side on both is 1" closer to the frame rail.
Jim
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1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC |
09-27-2011, 06:35 PM | #6 |
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Location: Argyle tx
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
I noticed it also. Figured it had something to do with the side travel from the panhard bar. Dunno, I could be wrong?
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09-29-2011, 01:43 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
Hmmm... I looked at a couple of other trucks and they also have the same locations that differ almost an inch from side to side. I don't understand why but I guess that's the way they all are. I'll leave it.
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"I was patina when patina wasn't cool." 1973 Cheyenne SWB Sunset Gold / Frost White / Saddle |
09-29-2011, 02:29 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Greencastle, IN
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
I'd check the locations on the rear end as well. It could be that although they are not centered to the frame, perhaps the angle of the shocks is symmetric. The bottom mount measurements are probably off too. It could have been clearance issues for other items or related to the panhard bar as was previously suggested. In short, no issue. Bolt them up and drive er.
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09-29-2011, 02:33 PM | #9 |
Old Skool Club
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Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
I love the ride that these trucks have, and that modification didn't make any difference to my truck. Mine is lowered 2.5/4.0 and has ECE shock relocators, adjustable track bar, etc. My '96 GMC SWB has a leaf-sprung rear end and it rides like the rock that Chevy advertises. Even tho it is also lowered, nothing I have done has made it ride the same as my '69.
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Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. |
09-29-2011, 04:56 PM | #10 |
laying low
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
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Re: Factory mistake? Upper shock mounts - pix
This is the way the factory built it. The fact that the top mount is an inch or so diff than the other side makes no difference in the ride. Since it is not a solid link but a hydraulic valve it can be mounted a good bit differently from side to side and you would not be able to feel the difference.
What should be of more concern is the amount of angle lowering the rear suspension puts on the shocks. The more the truck's rear is lowered the more the shocks lay over and the less functional they become at controlling wheel bounce and body movement. I did some experimenting with this many years ago with an old truck I lowered. The factory setup had the shocks at an angle toward the center of the frame. With the vertical movement of the axle the amount of shock piston travel should move near the same but it decreases the more the shock is angled over. On that old truck I moved the top shock mount outward to stand them up more. It made a tremendous difference in how it rode and especially around corners. It didn't lean near as much as before. Andy 4639 ? recently put a new rear shock mount setup on his which stood the shocks up more behind the axle and said he could really feel the difference in ride control. For those of you looking for a better ride and handling truck give some thought to how you have your rear shocks mounted. Are yours still fairly verticle or are they nearer to 45* angle?
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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