2.5" shocks fitment in '80s Suburban - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Buckaroo · 12-17-2010, 07:17 PM

Hello all,

I acquired a stock '84 Suburban Diesel earlier this year. This week I started with the first step of the build: a new suspension.

I ordered a burly set of springs from Alcan Spring. They were supposed to have a 4" lift - it looks a little taller than that, but I'm sure they'll settle (I didn't measure). Tires will be 35" Toyo M/Ts.

I have decided on Kings 2.5" external reservoir shocks. Piggybacks in front and remote reservoirs for out back. Here's my question: my installer thinks that if we mount the rear shocks to the stock mounts, the bigger shock bodies will run into clearance problems between the leafs at the bottom and the frame at the top once the suspension starts to articulate.

He doesn't know for sure but doesn't want to run the risk unless I specifically ask him to mount the shocks that way. He suggests building a lateral brace from one frame rail to the other, then tilting in the tops of the shocks and mounting them inboard.

Naturally, I'll be compromising shock efficiency by doing that. I'd really much rather keep the shocks as vertical as possible unless it's simply, well, impossible to do so.

What do you smart folks think about that? Will the 2.5's work in the stock location? Will the 2.5's work in a location outside the frame rails other than stock that's still better than moving them inside the frame?

Thank you all in advance for your time and your input.

Best,

-R.

Flatdeck6.2 · 12-17-2010, 08:48 PM

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=937389

I got this from asking a similar question in the newbie forum.

NorCal_Chris · 12-17-2010, 09:08 PM

get new mounts on top of axle just the plain ole triangles with holes would be fine. run shocks vertical and cut a hole in your wheel well and run a hoop there. Seems a waste to pay that much for a shock and run it diagonal

Buckaroo · 12-17-2010, 10:17 PM

Thank you for confirming my suspicions, guys. And a very informative article about shocks.

Best,

-R.

12-17-2010, 07:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Buckaroo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Member # 177323 Location: City of Angels Posts: 0	2.5" shocks fitment in '80s Suburban Hello all, I acquired a stock '84 Suburban Diesel earlier this year. This week I started with the first step of the build: a new suspension. I ordered a burly set of springs from Alcan Spring. They were supposed to have a 4" lift - it looks a little taller than that, but I'm sure they'll settle (I didn't measure). Tires will be 35" Toyo M/Ts. I have decided on Kings 2.5" external reservoir shocks. Piggybacks in front and remote reservoirs for out back. Here's my question: my installer thinks that if we mount the rear shocks to the stock mounts, the bigger shock bodies will run into clearance problems between the leafs at the bottom and the frame at the top once the suspension starts to articulate. He doesn't know for sure but doesn't want to run the risk unless I specifically ask him to mount the shocks that way. He suggests building a lateral brace from one frame rail to the other, then tilting in the tops of the shocks and mounting them inboard. Naturally, I'll be compromising shock efficiency by doing that. I'd really much rather keep the shocks as vertical as possible unless it's simply, well, impossible to do so. What do you smart folks think about that? Will the 2.5's work in the stock location? Will the 2.5's work in a location outside the frame rails other than stock that's still better than moving them inside the frame? Thank you all in advance for your time and your input. Best, -R. Last edited by Buckaroo; 12-17-2010 at 07:17 PM.

12-17-2010, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Flatdeck6.2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Member # 141906 Location: British Columbia, Canada. Posts: 317	http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=937389 I got this from asking a similar question in the newbie forum. __________________ Living vicariously through you

12-17-2010, 09:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
NorCal_Chris Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Member # 140551 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 673	get new mounts on top of axle just the plain ole triangles with holes would be fine. run shocks vertical and cut a hole in your wheel well and run a hoop there. Seems a waste to pay that much for a shock and run it diagonal __________________ adfasd

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12-17-2010, 10:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Buckaroo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Member # 177323 Location: City of Angels Posts: 0	Thank you for confirming my suspicions, guys. And a very informative article about shocks. Best, -R.