The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Shock question?

My buddy is setting up a new rear axle on his 53 pickup and the shock needs to change positions. How far should the shock be extended when making a new bracket to mount the shock? Should the shock be pulled half way out or what? Just trying to figure out the correct mounting of the rear shock, Thanks

When I was working on my Burb, I lifted the frame for full travel then measured my shock for full extension. Remember, the shock is made for damping, not as a mechanical support.

^ Mark has it right but there is a little more to it in my opinion. Generally with shocks, you don't want to fully extend it to where it tops out or fully compress it to where it bottoms out.

If you are purchasing new shocks and are trying to decide what size shock to get, follow these steps. Jack one side of truck up until tire leaves the ground making sure rear spring is hanging free. Measure where you want shock to go. This is your full extension distance. Then, jack up or drive one front tire on a hill until the opposite rear bumpstops make contact...again measure where you want shock to go. This is your full compression distance. Subtract about half inch or 1 inch from each measurement (cause you don't want the shock to hit each end) this is your total travel distance. Then order shocks accordingly.

If you are using existing shocks...you need to fully compress and fully extend them manually and take those measurements. Then build new mounts or brackets to suit.

This is what I do when setting up my offroad truck and might be overkill for and old pickup like yours...but the general idea is the same and this is how to set up leaf sprung suspension properly.

Note: getting the compression is important if you haul heavy loads with truck. Cause you want the weight to sit on the bumpstops before it sits on the shock...that is a sure fire way to blow out a shock in no time.

Hope this helps.