Just so everyone knows I did SEARCH THIS (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=115962&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending) So leave the BS out...:flipoff2:


I'm wondering what you guys hve been SUCESSFULLY using for front shock mounts.

Can I just reuse my ford shock towers from my blazer project?? Any better ideas?

ALSO, I kinda like the way the stock rear set-up is angled inward at the top. Has this been sufficient for you, or can it be imporved upon, WITHOUT reinventing the wheel??

Thanks I know you guys will give me good advice ;) :beer: :beer:

do a shock hoop around the top, like the picture...

for the bottom, take some 2x2 box section and torch an arc in it so it fits snugly around the axle tube. Then, cut back the top of the tube about 2" from each end, and cross drill the sides at the ends too. That lets you mount two shocks, one in front, one behind the axle, and is hell-for-stout.

F350 shock mounts, cheap new from the dealer. Hack off the stock mount, stick 350 mount on frame, burn some rod. Search the gen section will-ya, the part number is floating around there.

Originally posted by Bindernut
do a shock hoop around the top, like the picture...

for the bottom, take some 2x2 box section and torch an arc in it so it fits snugly around the axle tube. Then, cut back the top of the tube about 2" from each end, and cross drill the sides at the ends too. That lets you mount two shocks, one in front, one behind the axle, and is hell-for-stout.

I have some mounts similar to Sean's.. made from square tubing and some flat plate.

In the rear, I took some angle and drilled to mount it on either end in the stock upper shock location, then put holes along the length so I could angle the top of my shocks inboard some more to get more travel.

I didnt move the top mounts at all. A buddy of mine fabbed up some mounts similar to those on the IH full sizes and welded them to the axle tube. It is just some flat steel with a C sandwiching the lower shock bushing in it.

Top. These work well, if you can weld. My welds kept breaking, but Firestick Rick took care of that for me.... :)

F-250 shock mounts, cut right at the bend. You could weld some flat plate across the back of these, then weld/blot that to the frame if you really wanted, but these have held up well as is.

http://www.ihssii.org/Hooper/Images-Technical/ShockTowerFrontUpper.jpg

Lower. 1/4" plate dropped 90 degrees, drilled to slide over ubolt, then welded to the spring plate

http://www.nwbinders.net/Tech/SOA/FrontShockMount.jpg

This is not the best setup though. I am waiting for ScoutmanSV to get me another set of revolving shock mounts. They will get welded directly to the axle tube between the springs and the knuckle. I could do one front and rear of the axle if I wanted, to get double shocks. These are not as cheap as the box tubing like was described above though, but they allow rotation on both axis for that extra little bit of flex on the mall speed bumps.

http://www.ihssii.org/Hooper/Images-Technical/PowderShockMount.jpg

http://www.ihssii.org/Hooper/Images-Technical/ShockMountSetPin.jpg

I like the rotating mount idea, but why not use a stud. Spidertrax (http://www.spidertrax.com)

Originally posted by jdjanda
I like the rotating mount idea, but why not use a stud. Spidertrax (http://www.spidertrax.com)

Cuz I can't weld worth a dime!! I had studs on there, they snapped off, twice. I gave up and went this route. Plus, bolts only rotate in one axis. If you get much axle movement front to rear, they can cause binding. The revolvers rotate in both. But, I realize the amount of binding is minimal. OTOH, the shock bushings in the revolvers should last a lot longer, and I might get that extra quarter inch of flex I need...

And these revolver shock mounts have a very high coolness rating!! ;)

I do agree about the coolness factor, but I don't think the amount of binding is worth what I'm thinking those revoling units cost. (what do they cost?)

Plus I weld Pretty damn good, so I'm golden.

I think I'm gonna go with stud type mounts.

Originally posted by Cliffhanger
I do agree about the coolness factor, but I don't think the amount of binding is worth what I'm thinking those revoling units cost. (what do they cost?)

Plus I weld Pretty damn good, so I'm golden.

I think I'm gonna go with stud type mounts.

They are not as much as you might think, but definitely more expensive than a stud welded to the axle. :)

I don't think ScoutmanSV has put a number on them yet. We are still working out some refinements. He is working on a similar revolver for the top mount. He will have single and double shock mount setups. Actually very sweet, refined system he has for the upper. Very strong, even Tom will have trouble breaking one of these off the frame.... :D Don't have my hands on the prototype yet, but I have seen the drawings...

i just redid mine on the back of my scout.

I ran them outboard of the frame on a forward angle

used the stock rear mounts off a rover disco bolted to a plate that is welded to the inside of the frame

the top of the shock is above the frame forward on an angle

I used the 14" stroke ranchos(more than I need) and they work awsome

I also redid the front aswell....running four 11"stroke ranchos

its SUA so I wont bore all you guys with it

Originally posted by Hooper

Very strong, even Tom will have trouble breaking one of these off the frame.... :D Don't have my hands on the prototype yet, but I have seen the drawings...

Hmmm.. sponsorship? :D I can break 'em!

I've been looking at my ugly square-tube "hoops" and then looking back at the JD2 lying on the shop floor..

I see some bent-tube hoops in my future.. down the road. First I have to get the rig running again (should be ready to roar through the open headers at 6pm tonight)..

Originally posted by tsm1mt


Hmmm.. sponsorship? :D I can break 'em!

I've been looking at my ugly square-tube "hoops" and then looking back at the JD2 lying on the shop floor..

I see some bent-tube hoops in my future.. down the road. First I have to get the rig running again (should be ready to roar through the open headers at 6pm tonight)..

See, you get new toys, and you make more work for yourself!!

Here are are a couple of pictures of my dual front setup that might help you out - or they might not:

http://www.jpeater.com/techspec/images/suspension/Sdualshock.JPG

http://www.jpeater.com/techspec/images/suspension/Sfrontubolt.JPG

Originally posted by jpeater
Here are are a couple of pictures of my dual front setup that might help you out - or they might not:

http://www.jpeater.com/techspec/images/suspension/Sdualshock.JPG

http://www.jpeater.com/techspec/images/suspension/Sfrontubolt.JPG

Mr. Eater welcome to the :vader: side of the world. Glad you could make it over. Your site was a big help when I replaced the seals in my power steering box. :beer: to you.

Joe

Glad the webiste was helpful to you. I have a huge amount of 'stuff' waiting to be put on it, just need about a day to get it all done.

I admit that I am a newbie here, actually never really posted that much on the BB either, and so far I like what I see (thanks Hooper for a cross-post). Looks like you guys are a little bit past the gold-box and lift kit questions, so it should be a fun ride!

Joe, I will take you up on that :beer: if we ever bump into each other, as the saying goes - ya never know

Dirk - AKA Mr. Eater