Shock recommendations?

[focusedontheprize]

My upper and lower shock mounts finally arrived for the truck so they will be mounted on in a few weeks. However, I do not know what shocks I need for my application.

The truck will be lower (4" drop axle in the front + removal of 2 leafs and 3" lower blocks + removal of 3 leafs in the rear) and I would have to imagine that would also change the shock travel height thus changing the shock application.

So for the guys who have lowered their trucks, what shocks are you running? I am not looking for anything that will be a $100 a shock, but I am looking for a better quality shock.

Thanks.

[robnolimit]

Your best bet is to install the shock mounts, then set the truck at ride hieght and measure the installed 'ride hieght'. Then lift the chassis until the wheels are hanging in the air, and measure for an 'extended' or 'open' hieght. Then call on a vendor that knows what to do with the numbers and get the right shocks the first time.

[focusedontheprize]

I apologize I put this in the wrong sub-forum...Mods if you can move this that would be great.

@robnolimit: Thanks. I will end up doing this and seeing what I come up with. In regards to the shock mounts, I am being told there are no templates. I have a 1949 Chevy 1/2. What is the proper angle I need to mount these? I searched around here and couldn't find anything. The '49 is a stock frame with a straight axle.

[focusedontheprize]

Anyone know the angle that I should run the shock mount at?
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[mknittle]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

Anyone know the angle that I should run the shock mount at?
Posted via Mobile Device

as close to vertical as possable. at about 10 degrees the shocks will start become weaker and you will need to get stiffer shocks. there is a formula for this but i don't know it off the top of my head.

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by mknittle

as close to vertical as possable. at about 10 degrees the shocks will start become weaker and you will need to get stiffer shocks. there is a formula for this but i don't know it off the top of my head.

Interesting. I went to my buddy's house last weekend. He has a '52 with front shocks (factory) and I threw an angle finder on his shock and they came in at 45 degrees. So I was going to position my mounts so the shocks mounted at 45. Does that sound right?

[dsl30263]

It seems that I read somewhere long ago, that the angle of the shock should be no more that 45 degrees. So, you should be okay. I think it was in an old Rod and Custom mag.

[papastrk]

Monroe shocks have length and mounting pages that give compressed and extended dimensions as well as type of mounting ends. You will need to make sure that you have some shock travel left on compression when your suspension hits the bump stops. You need the same on full extension also. You don't want the shock to control the full extension/ full compression distance. This will eventually ruin the shock. Keep the shock as vertical as possible at ride height, but don't mount them where the frame, etc will damage them before full compression. I would try mounting them at no more than 20 degrees at ride height. Also, the closer to the spring you mount them the better the shock control. Hope this helps.

[mknittle]

http://www.offroad-engineering.com/whanshimomys.html

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by mknittle

as close to vertical as possable. at about 10 degrees the shocks will start become weaker and you will need to get stiffer shocks. there is a formula for this but i don't know it off the top of my head.

Also make sure the mounting point axis are parallel if you are fabricating mounts.

[TheSuspensionSource]

Let me know if you need help finding shocks. I have a full list of measurements on the Belltech shock lines.

[focusedontheprize]

Apologies guys, I lost this thread.

Thank you for all your recommendations. I mounted the front shocks at a 45 degree angle (stock setup and the rear shock mounts had them at a 45 degree) and when I build the rear shocks I will put them in alternating (one in front of the rear axle and one behind the rear axle) at 0 degrees.