Rear Shock Placement?

[DustyFJ]

I bought these mounts from rough stuff that go on the axle for the rear of my rig, but I dont know if they're ideal for my set up.

Is it okay for the passenger lower mounting point to be that far from the end of the axle? I dont know anyhting about shocks but it seems like the farther you go from the end of the axle the less help they will be. Would a side mount be better?

I was looking at someone elses upper shouck mounts and they had added a bar about 4" behind the crossmember and 6" above it. Is this a good idea? my stock cross member rusted out and broke, so I was going to weld this new one in.

How much will a longer shock help my flex? Isn't my flex limited by my stock leaf spings?

I'm kinda lost, anyone have pics of a solid set up?

(I know I got some other major issues in those pics, I've been completing the PO's SOA.

 

[ntsqd]

Just like with springs, the further inboard that they are mounted the softer they will be overall. Also, the more laid over that they are the softer that they will be. I wouldn't put them there, but I am not a rock crawler either.

 

[luckysob]

what ended up with that cross member i just broke mine on both sides and am trying to figure out the FIX

 

[Benjaman]

I'm not sure, but if you get an eye to eye of 20" I've got a pair of Rancho9000x 9 ways for sale.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/442606-rancho-shocks-good-shape.html

 

[boots4]

I was looking at someone elses upper shock mounts and they had added a bar about 4" behind the crossmember and 6" above it. Is this a good idea? my stock cross member rusted out and broke, so I was going to weld this new one in.

How much will a longer shock help my flex? Isn't my flex limited by my stock leaf spings?

The leaf pack is not necessarily the limiting factor. Depending on how the shocks are mounted, they will be the limiting factor. Typically for mild wheeling/slower paced it's OK for the shock to limit downward travel, but you never want it to limit upward travel (that's what bump stops are for). If you're racing or unload your suspension a lot (jumping) then you don't want the shock to limit downward travel either (thus the purpose of a limiting strap). Getting a long enough shock will let you use more of your springs travel. The challenge is in packaging. Space is limited in the stock configuration so that's why you see angled shocks (like an A) to get a longer shock in there. As already mentioned that reduces the dampening capability of the shock. It's better to have the shock more upright (a couple degrees tilt is fine and helps with it following the arch that axle travels in when cycling). So making a new crossmember that goes up higher in the space you showed in your pic IS a good idea because it allows you to get a longer shock in there to take advantage of what SOA can offer and have better dampening. This is that I did since my crossmember was not solid anymore.

I made a very simple crossmember that was able to get the top shock mounts up in that recessed area of the body. Since I've moved my rear back a couple of inches this lined up well for me.

I've been able to mount 12" travel shocks in the back in an upright position and can get the full travel out of them with my long rear springs. I'm using bump stops to keep the shock from being my limiter with uptravel. It's easier to go with a 10" travel shock but I wanted all the travel I could get so I went to the troubles of fitting a 12" in there. My positioning netted me 3.5-4" uptravel and the rest down.

 

[DustyFJ]

what ended up with that cross member i just broke mine on both sides and am trying to figure out the FIX

once the old one broke off on both ends I reamed out the holes with a dremmel tool and slid a new piece of pipe through and welded it to the frame. It's been a little over a year since I didn it and its seems fine, I expect it will last another 20 years.

 

[DustyFJ]

I'm not sure, but if you get an eye to eye of 20" I've got a pair of Rancho9000x 9 ways for sale.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/442606-rancho-shocks-good-shape.html

the shocks I bought were really a little too long, these are what I need, but I'm kinda broke right now. want to trade for anything?Glove box grab bar?? A pillar grab bars???

 

[Benjaman]

the shocks I bought were really a little too long, these are what I need, but I'm kinda broke right now. want to trade for anything?Glove box grab bar?? A pillar grab bars???

Dont really need any of what you mentioned. Also dont need these shocks!

PayPal $40. (ThankYou,Got It) and I'll ship them to you on Monday, via FedEx ground. This should cover my time, packing and shipping.