The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Where to mount front upper shock mounts on a '49 3100?

I have a '49 frame. It originally had lever action shocks. I have the upper mounts (the cup mounts) and the lower (the angled mounts that attach to the u-bolts).

My understanding it that the shock should be at a 60* angle. But if I bolt on the shock to the lower mount it puts the upper shock mount too far forward.

Here's a pic.

If I were to bolt the upper mount where it would go based on pics I have seen of other trucks it forces the shock to sit uneven in the lower mount, resting on the side of the rubber shock mount disc.

Here's a pic of that.

So, where do I put the upper mount?

http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/136038177
DG

I could get you some pictures this evening and measurements off a 1953 frame when I get home this evening if that would help??

John

Perfect pic. So is the shock sort of "pulled back" to fit in the top mount? That's my exact setup and my issue.

What steering box is that?

It would help a lot of it's no trouble.

Totally stock 1950, 3604 truck, steering gear and all.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/136174246
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/136996090

dg

Okay, just measured the two front most mounting rivet of the shock upper mount.
The bottom front hole of the upper shock mount measures 11 1/4" from the front of the frame rail to the center of the hole and 7/8" up to the center of the hole from the bottom of the frame on the outside of the frame.
The upper front hole measures 10 1/4" back from the front of the frame rail to the center of the hole. I figure the location of those holes and the rest fall where they go.
I didn't measure the upper front hole up from the bottom of the frame rail, I figure a line scribed down the frame rail, there is only one place the upper hole will align with the scribed line once the bottom hole is located first.
Hope this helps, if not I can measure some more on it.

John

Perfect. This is more or less where I drew a line based on a 60* back angle from the intersection of the I beam and springs.

BUT, the shock will still be 'resting' on the back side of the rubbers. It will still be pulled back, so to speak. I wonder if that's how it is...?

Do you have the front end "loaded" or hanging?? Would make a difference with the engine ect... mounted. John

Wow now I feel real dumb.

The frame is unloaded so yes, obviously the shock will be pulled back until the engine is in.

It's always the little things that dumfound.

I know with the engine out the spring on these frames are pretty stiff. I can up on my frame and jump up and down on it and it hardly budges.... But then the motor alone is 650 pounds or so by itself.....

John

I have some pics in this folder of a 50

...link...

Unloaded

Some of the pics show lowered springs, but you'll get the idea

Denny your truck looks great. Fantastic work.

Meryy Xmas all.

Thanks for all the help and pics.

White, your measurements were really what did it. That put the mounts precisely where they need to be.

Glad to help.... Merry Christmas John