I'm trying to get some ideas on how to build my new front shock towers. i've seen a few different ways but i'm not sure what i wanna do. I want something that is simple and cheap (build myself). I'm thinking of takin a piece of 2" square tubing and notching the end so it sits on top and around the outside of the frame rail and slightly angled out, then just weld a standard shock post to the top.

Also i'm trying to figure out how to set up my shocks. I know the suspension will have more droop than compression so at rest i'm thinkin the shock should be a bit more than 1/2 compressed. what i'm planning on doing is setting the shocks up so that at rest they are extended 1/3 of their travel length and building the height of the towers to make em fit. anyone have any other tips? thanks.

Dallas

how about the ford f-350 shock towers? they are cheap, tall, and you don't have to fab them. $11 per. tower from the ford dealership

the ones I am putting on my jeep are simply 2x2 reciever tubing welded on the frame with a 5/8" bolt through the top spaced out to clear the shocks, that is it..

I just did this with a pair of Ford shock towers. $30 a pair and they are good quality. IMO, not worth the material and time to make your own unless they just won't fit/work in your application.

Id go with the Ford shock towers as well.. they are cheap, and if they don't work just PERFECT with your rig, they can't be that hard to modify.
Scott

anyone got any pictures and or dimensions of these things?

Dallas

Here (http://coloradok5.com/ranchoreview.shtml) ya go!

Example of mine...not the Ford Variety.

http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v5/0/74/80/32007480WNovUlGUvr_ph

Jeeper

Originally posted by StinkBug
anyone got any pictures and or dimensions of these things?

Dallas

The K5 link is sweet. Here's one just installed on my Bronco:
http://www.superford.org/registry/showpic.php?pID=5474

They just bolt on, even from the factory (Ford loved rivets but didn't use them to attach these). Go to any local 'yard and grab a set for even cheaper than the dealer, plus any excuse to go junkyarding is good! Some late '70 F250s will have a similar mount but it takes a stem mount shock rather than an eye, this is best pic I could find on Steve Rickard's TTC #55 competitor:
http://www.superford.org/registry/showpic.php?pID=4725

Ford towers on a Toyota:
<img src="http://64.226.214.225/toyota/images/r-c-fordshock1.jpg">

http://64.226.214.225/toyota/ford_shock_mounts.htm

Originally posted by StinkBug
I'm trying to figure out how to set up my shocks. I know the suspension will have more droop than compression so at rest i'm thinkin the shock should be a bit more than 1/2 compressed. what i'm planning on doing is setting the shocks up so that at rest they are extended 1/3 of their travel length and building the height of the towers to make em fit. anyone have any other tips? thanks.

Dallas You're putting too much thought into it. Twist the truck up all the way, and measure the compressed side and the drooping side. Clamp your ford tower to the frame in the same spot on each side, and make sure the shock is long enough on one side, and short enough on the other.

Then pull it back into the shop and weld them on right where they are. Make sure you weld a gusset behind the ford tower, though... lots of guys who haven't have busted them off the frame - and that's with a GOOD weld.

http://www.wildyoats.com/JLfiveL.jpg

write up: http://www.wildyoats.com/ford_shock_mounts.htm

yeah, i just used the fords....cheap, stout




there are plenty of other things to spend your time on....:p

can't get much cheaper than a piece of 2"x2" with a hole drilled in the top for a bolt..

(MUCH cheaper than ford mounts, and you can drill a few holes and call em adjustable..)

i'm with brandon, i'm really poor, really cheap, and i like to build stuff myself. everything else on my rig is stinky fab why not the shock towers. plus they'll cost me about $2

Dallas

I do agree with brandon (I like the "adjustable" idea) but I did end up using the ford shock mounts cause I was able to get them for FREE :p