2008-08-23 - Shock Relocation - The Mounts

[Specialdeluxe]

I had heard that this was one of the best modifications one could do to these cars. After doing the mod and moving the control arms up and down and looking at what the movement of the shocks were in their original location, I'm glad I did it. The shocks will actually do what they are supposed to do instead of sitting there and providing minimal cushion. I can't wait to see how it's going to handle driving it.


When I went to weld on the shock mount I found that the bracket needed to be modified. If I let the suspension hang all the way down with the stop bumper in place and the shock at full travel, the bracket was a few inches off. I made some measurements and made a template out of cardboard. I used a cutoff wheel to trim the bracket. I also made a template for the positioning of the bracket. I ended up with 1/4 inch clearance between the shock and the upper control arm. After welding the bracket in I connected the front suspension and checked out how it works. It's very cool. Time for paint!

[roughn3ck]

well hell yea i had something diffrent in mind but thats really a better idea thanx alot i will have one made up real soon and will be shareing the info on it with my friends who own 49's =D>

[roughn3ck]

by the way that isnt the origanal shock is it its hard to tell and i would think that i would need a longer shock for travel

[Specialdeluxe]

by the way that isnt the origanal shock is it its hard to tell and i would think that i would need a longer shock for travel

Yep, you're right. You need shocks with longer travel.

[roughn3ck]

thanx again friend youve been a big help

[snids53]

do either of you have a template you can post or email me? one i can print out, cut out, and use? i am only putting the disc upgrade on the front not dropping it or anything.

[roughn3ck]

i dont think it matters how tall it is becouse your going to have to buy new shocks anyways to fit new towers so you can use your own templet but i wouldnt make it to tall or to short

[snids53]

ok cool...thanks...

can you give me a good range in inches from the top side of the frame up to the mounting hole in the bracket???

also...do you have to worry about any certain angle of the shock/bracket when doing this? or i am i worrying about to much.

what thickness/gauge steel is the bracket made of?

thanks

[Specialdeluxe]

ok cool...thanks...

can you give me a good range in inches from the top side of the frame up to the mounting hole in the bracket???

also...do you have to worry about any certain angle of the shock/bracket when doing this? or i am i worrying about to much.

what thickness/gauge steel is the bracket made of?

thanks

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/tec ... index.html

When I did this I really worried much more than I needed to. I found this article to be helpful, and is what I followed for the shock relocation. Interestingly, they were mounting the shocks this way on the Dodge trucks. If you check them out you will see a bracket that is mounted to the frame that the shock then attaches to. Strange that they weren't doing it to the cars also.

I did make templates so I'll see if I can track those down.

[roughn3ck]

cool! good luck and let me know how it went i still need to do the same to my car but i am waiting till car season is over and it cools off

[snids53]

roughn3ck thanks and i will.

paul...good to see you on...thanks for the info...its good to know when you need to worry more or worry less!

when i built houses in college during a summer my boss always told me to "measure faster cuz it aint cabinet making"...sometimes i get pretty anal.

im in limbo though now...my frame is all torn down (well except the clutch pedal and pivot on the frame which i cant figure out how to get off???) and im in the midst of sand blasting...then primer...then paint...when would be the best time to weld those on??? i think i know the answers and im not really going to like any of them but oh well.


ps..paul..i have read and re-read and re-read all your progress posts...cool stuff, i will have to by you a cold one or something one of these days for all the help...since my build will end up being a bit different i will have to post my steps down the road...if i ever get there!

[roughn3ck]

befor you mont your front fenders would be my best guess that way nothings in your way

[snids53]

yeah i just wish i would have done it before i stripped off the suspension and started to blast/primer/paint...now my choices are going to be a lot of extra work no matter what...oh well cant beat yourself up to much for what you didnt know then that you know now...thats experience...thats life.

[snids53]

hi guys..paul could you just let me know how thick the metal is for the shock relocate bracket then i will fab it up!

[imretep]

Hi Paul
I did the shock relocation thing but can not find the right shock, that gives a decent ride with no bottoming out, perhaps you would share your choice of shock....... Thanks Pete