Correct Shock Angle ?

[72MARIO]

I have a 6" drop leaf sprung 67. The shock angle is way off not they are on close to a 45 degree angle. What is the proper way to set correct shock the angle ? How do I figure out how vertical the shock needs to stand at ?

Thanks for any help.

[see ten]

I think some people have taken their lower shock brackets(part under the trailing arm) and flipped them and swapped them from one side to the other. Driver side moved to the passenger side upsidedown. This is supposed to correct the angle somewhat. I actually found an old truck mag where it showed ECE doing this. They had a small spacer made that filled the gap left between the bracket and the trailing arm. They claimed the spacer was crucial for stress reasons or something of that nature. Sorry I can't be of any more assistance.

[Boog]

Mario I found out just how much difference the correct angle could make in the shocks on a truck a long time ago. I lowered a leaf spring rear several inches. The stock shock angle I estimate to be maybe a 15 degree angle. Once I lowered it 3 or 4 inches the angle increased closer to 30 degrees. The tail end wallowed around on the turns terribly. Once I remounted the shocks more to verticle it made a tremedous difference. One has to drive one both ways to appreciate how important shock placement really is.
I believe there are a couple of companies selling shock relocator brackets. You most likely need shorter shocks with the 6" drop. As far as what the for sure correct shock angle is I can't help. I suggest someone else here will measure their stock setup for you.

[Ont67shortbox]

Mario, I have the same problem on my 67 i bought the kit from ECE to correct the shock brkt problem and got the adjustable panhard bar while i was at it.I am installing it over the winter and adding new bushings to the trailing arms while i have everything apart, my 67 is almost a clone to your truck except for the hood, hope this helps Brian

[gringoloco]

From what I understand, you want the shock absorbers at close to the same angle as the motion of the rear end. In our case that would be straight up and down. When you see them at an angle from the factory it is simply to gain more travel from the longer shock. <--mytwocents

I am contemplating the same thing and have decieed on one of two options:
1) Move the stock rear crossmember back and use a shorter shock(preferred)
2) Install a crossmember such as this one from *****************
[IMG]http://www.*****************/images/products/Rear_Shock_Bar_Kit.jpg[/IMG]

[Ont67shortbox]

I lowered my rear 5 1/2 inches, the brkts from ECE replace the factory brkts and give you the correct factory shock angle, i have the Nitro Drop rear shocks that i installed with my Eibach 3 inch lowering springs, you simply drill out the rivets from the old shock brkts and replace them with the brackets in the shock locator kit.

[Ont67shortbox]

ECE has a pic on their website of the brkts, you can get them in a kit or seperately, i can't remember the price Can, Brian

[Primered_69]

I am redoing a leaf spring drop on a 69 like mario. have you swapped the upper brackets on the frame side to side. That would move the shock back further and give less of an angle. This is what I have done but i do not have the body back on yet (or rear in) to tell you how much of an angle but it moves the shock points back about two inches.

[Primered_69]

If this does not do it enough for you. I would try to get some C channel metal and move it back in the frame then bolt it in to get you more of the 90 begree angle you are going for.

You may even be able to do it with the stock bracket and drilling some new holes in the frame top and bottom

[72MARIO]

Oky Thanks for all the help. I have drop shocks they are 4" which are still oky for travel the axel will bottom out before the shocks do.

Primered 69 I had a look at swaping the shock mounts they are bolted in because when I did the frame I blew the rivit out. Should be easy to change now.

Great now I need to buy shorter shocks...... The money never stops.


Thanks for all the help guys. The truck looks killer sitting with the 6" rear drop

[Captkaos]

Typically you want shocks installed at 18 degrees.

[72MARIO]

Thanks Thats the number I was looking for.

[Captkaos]

no problem.