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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | I have just installed tubular rear shocks on my 49 which had the lever type. Measured the location for the upper bracket from a wrecked 51 half ton. I also got the brackets from this frame.
After installing the shocks from my measurements and planning I find they are not as slanted as ones would be on a 51 truck. The are a bit more vertical by a few degrees. There is no obvious binding and the ride is smooth. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out where to put the shocks but some common sense is required.
Is shock angle in this case critical? Secondly if it were bottoming or topping out how could I know and check it?
Thanks | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Shock angle is actually more important than some give it credit for. Shocks work the best when they are running vertical. Their effectivenss is reduced as the angle drops from vertical. 45 degrees is about the max that a shock can be run and still be effective. So if you're a bit more vertical than what the '51 run, it's not really a big deal. Might actually be better.
As far as bottoming out or hitting full extension, you would definetly know as yu would be able not only to feel it, but hear it as well. As long as you have the length of the shocks travel longer than the suspension travel, and the shock is mounted at roughly center of the travel, you should be fine.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 434 | I also run with the road racing crowd, so I've been told no more than 30 degrees. Vertical (or perpendicular to the movement of the wheel or axle) is the most preferred.
Also, Chevrolet proved (and now everyone else does it) that if you run one shock in front of the non-independent rear drive axle and one in the back, it significantly reduces wheel hop.
R-Bo
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Big Window, Short bed Fleetside (under reconstruction)
1966 GMC 305V6 in the family
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 227 | Shocks are to be mounted at 1/3 of downwards piston travel in length at ride height and the further from vertical they are mounted, the less dampening force is applied to the springs.
They will still dampen at 45 degrees, but only half of what they would at 90 and every angle between the two can be calculated from there!
Good luck................Doc | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | Bill and the rest are correct. I put mine about 10 degrees off 90.
~Jim
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