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April 17th, 2007, 02:47 PM
| #1 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
| Super Moderator
 |  Unanswered: Opinions needed on shock brackets  Okay I made my front shock brackets and tested them on the ramp today and they are going to work just great. I would like opinions on how I have them bolted to the frame. I was figuring on just (3) 3/8" Gr8 bolts through the bottom of the bracket. You can see 2 of the bolts in the pics below. Do you guys think this will be enough, or should I add more bracing like a gusset off the back side and bolted to the top of the frame rail? My thinking is that the old style ford shock towers only use 2 bolts, but they only lean out from the frame 4". Mine lean out 6". The newer shock towers use 3 bolts.    | |||||||||||
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April 17th, 2007, 05:06 PM
| #2 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
| Moderator
 | Re: Opinions needed on shock brackets I'd make the gusset for the backside and a bolt on hoop over the engine. Then weld everything else. But, I tend to overbuild everything. 
__________________ 1974 Chevy K5 fulltop Specs  Bruce  When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. Henry Ford (1863 - 1947) Nice! I love primered trucks. Looks agressive like that... almost like the back alley thug. 4x4 Mecca http://www.tbucketeers.com/ | |||||||||||
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April 17th, 2007, 08:08 PM
| #3 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
 | Re: Opinions needed on shock brackets Man, those shocks are so damn shiny I didn't even notice any bolts  But seriously, its tough to judge how much force will be on your shock mounts. I have the older style Ford shock towers on mine, cut down with only two bolts holding them on  . I was younger and stupider at the time and I keep waiting for one of the bolts to come loose or fail but it hasn't happened yet.Gussets on your shock mounts are cheap, relatively easy and well worth it if you consider the consequences of shock mount failure. | |||||||||||
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April 17th, 2007, 08:22 PM
| #4 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
| Super Moderator
| Re: Opinions needed on shock brackets Yeah, I'm just being lazy and a little anxious to be done. I need to just go ahead and do it. It does crack me up that the shocks are going to be just about the only chrome on my truck.  | |||||||||||
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April 18th, 2007, 05:06 AM
| #5 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
| Admin
 | Re: Opinions needed on shock brackets I would gusset them. Better now than later... | |||||||||||
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May 2nd, 2007, 09:46 AM
| #6 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
| watch this.
 | Re: Opinions needed on shock brackets extra bracing never hurts. get rid of the rag joint. put a u-joint from flaming river or borgeson in there. you will feel an improvement. and the bling will match your shocks. 
__________________ 1983 Trail only GMC K1500 shortbed Specs chas 83 shortbed on 44's 85 blazer on 31's 00 longbed on 33's | |||||||||||
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May 2nd, 2007, 07:47 PM
| #7 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
 | Re: Opinions needed on shock brackets FWIW......................... I would fab some triangular pieces that weld to the back side of the top of the bracket. They would have "ears" that bolt to the top of the frame. At least 12" width, where they bolt to the frame. That will also prevent any fore and aft motions. | |||||||||||
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May 2nd, 2007, 08:30 PM
| #8 (Link to post) | |||||||||||
| Super Moderator
| This is how they ended up. I did go ahead and add some bracing on the back.  I don't know if I could stand anymore bling on top of the shocks.  | |||||||||||
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| Tags |
| (Suspension), brackets, needed, opinions, shock |
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