You guys may have no idea, but what the hell anyway. I need to know your thoughts on the placement of rear shock absorbers on a street/strip car.. err.. truck actually.

Ok, i'm putting an 8.75" in my Dakota. The stock rear has brackets on the axle tubes so the shock mounts straight up and down. That also seems to be the case with most trucks. The 8.75 setup, and also in most cars, has the shocks angled inward at the top. I'll obviously be making custom mounts when the rear gets in, but what's the difference?

Do trucks have them vertical because they need more up and down dampning to help control the back when its loaded? And cars have them angled to help more in corners when the car leans? Or is it only for clearance issues since cars are more cramped in the back?

Also, if i make new upper mounts so i can mount them at angles, how do i decide how far in to put the tops? Do I lift the frame of the truck so the suspension is hanging, then fully extend the shocks, and find a mounting point? Or let the truck sit on the ground, compress the shock half way, then fit?

 

shock placement DOES matter somewhat... a lot of trucks/SUVs also put one in the front, one in the back which helps for wheel hop/axle stability.

I would actually prefer to angle the shocks in on the dak if there's no difference. Since my lower mounts will be by the springs, the uppers will go into the frame which sux0rs.

 

no clue... just what ive been told

 

thanks a ton Kevin! THats pretty much how i thought the things worked. I'll mount them angled.. it'll be way easier.

Any ideas about what length to make it when mounting?