Where to mount shocks

[Bob_Koch]

I've swapped out the rear end and so have had to redo the spring perches. This also necessates remounting the shocks. I see some newer trucks with the shocks mounted about 1/4 of the way in towards the center instead of out on the ends by the springs.

Is there any advantage to moving the shocks inward? Or should they stay out by the springs?

[JBNeal]

I've wondered about the placement of rear shocks after seeing different locations & directions on different axles. I reckon the simple physics is that with the shocks next to the springs, they see similar loading as the springs receive. With them moved further away from the springs towards the driveshaft, they help to spread the load over the frame to assist in stability under heavy loading.

I don't recall how far away the next crossmember is on the Pilot-House frame, so maybe it's a good idea to mount the shocks in the same place as the originals. That way, if ya ever load the back end up to the gills with taters or whutnot, the frame won't get tweaked.

[48Dodger]

Its actually a huge subject matter. Shocks don't hold the load but rather dampen the chassis. Optimum is 15+ off vertical with the lower mounting location close to the wheel. As the shock leans more off vertical it losses its compression value...in other words you'd have to increase its compression numbers. So really in the case of our trucks, its the need to "get out of the way" that determins upper mounting location. If you want to consider axle loads in turns and launches (ie circle track, drag racing) then it can have a bigger impact as to the angle forward, back, in or out etc. An adjustable shock (mount or shock itself) will hellp in controling wheel hop and the basic feel in the handling in the turns.

48D

[Fernando Mendes]

This is my problem too with my B3-B.Year ago I redo all the rear springs with 6 leaves each,shackles,pins.....When I tried to put a NAKATA shock absorber,they don't match.The put the same measures of original(compressed:16",extended:25,5",travel:9,5").The shocks(NAKATA) that I bought became very short).There was no problem with the front.

[Dave72dt]

Moving the shock towards the center will "soften" the ride.

[Fernando Mendes]

Dave72dt,EXCUSE ME! I was wrong. Instead very short,the correct,I could say became VERY LONG.Understood?

[Fernando Mendes]

I am thinking to try(change) another very SHORT shock.What do you think?

[Dave72dt]

Fernando, A shorter shock (shorter collapsed length) should help you out or move the top shock mount closer to the center of the truck. It's odd that a shock with same dimemsions as original doesn't fit. Did they get the correct arch when they redid your spirings?

[Fernando Mendes]

Did they get the correct arch when they redid your spirings? I can't answer this question.I don't know which was the correct arch/angle.My B3-B 1952 has all the side rail L&R dual reinforcement welded(thick).Not with the crossmembers.I don't know why.Perhaps,here in Brazil the '50 roads decade were very bad.Thanks.

[Fernando Mendes]

Tomorrow I will see the angle measure of the B3-B rear shock absorber in degrees.In this pic we can see that is impossible to change the shock mount to the center of the truck,because the brake hose suport don't permit,ok?I want to show this pic too for Dave72dt

[Dave72dt]

That picture works for me. I'm not using leaf springs and the original mounts have been gone for a long time. Tilting the shocks forward will also soften the ride. The more forward, the softer. It also helps with controlling wheel hop.

[HanksB3B]

from planet Nowood abducted the wood molecules.

Hank