After installing new VS 2.5" rear springs, I was planing on picking up some 2 to 2.5" longer shocks for the rear of the truck.

Then I started thinking and came up with the idea after installing a 2" BL and looking at all the extra room under the body and frame.

What about moving the rear shock mounts up 2" to 4" and running even longer shocks in the rear? Some were around 4" to 6" longer. I know in theory doing this would allow the rear to stuff and drop more with the right sized shocks. Are there any other factors limiting articulation in the rear besides the trailing arms and the other bar connecting the axle to to frame. I Don't know the correct term for it. Right now the shocks are limiting the articulation. Is this a good idea, or a waste of time with out modifing the other connecting points on the axle?

any thoughts and options welcomed. I found a couple shops up by were I work in Placerville that I'm going to talk to about doing the work.

Chris

Give it a go and report back on how it works.
You might need spring retainers or limiting straps to keep the springs from falling out.

I thought about the same thing about a year ago. Would you gain more articulation or would the coils fall out before that?

I know that if you go with longer shocks, you need to extend your bumpstops so that when you bottom out your shocks don't take the impact b/c if you do, you will blow them out. on the other hand, when at full extension with longer shocks, you will need to extend your flexible brake line that goes from gas tank mount to rear diff mount.

This is the proper way to look at it.
You would be well off to consider raising the spring mounts and using longer springs also. Not always easy to do but will allow them the same freedom you are giving the shocks.
By raising the mount point of the shock will allow for the original stops to do there job.
You will be limited by the trailing arms as to how much articulation will be available.
This summer I intend to make a three link suspension that will not restrict the rear travel. It will be all new parts and will require some welding for installation.

I'm not a big fan of adding longer than stock shocks in the rear. once you reach the limit of the trailing arm bushings you get metal to metal contact with the mounting bolts during extreme articulation..the twisting force could cause trailing arm breakage or axle tube cracking. disconnect one of the rear shocks and do a ramp test and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I went by a shop around were I work and have an apt for Monday, If, I can get out of jury duty. Which, I forgot all about. They are going to fab up a new mount that spans up and over the frame rails. They are going to pull the shocks and put it on the lift to see how much they can get out of it while looking for driveline binding and other week links.

The shops working on a lot of custom buggies jeeps, toyÆs and a few full size trucks. They were in the process of setting up 3 or 4, 4 links and a bunch of other stuff. All I have to say is WOW they were doing some crazy stuff.

When I put in the rear springs it seemed like there was a decent amount of flex in the rear to be had. After talking to the guy there he had some other thoughts on getting more flex out of the rear. One of the ideas was to add a hinged joint were the trailing arm bushing are. And a few others that I canÆt remember right now, long day.

With doing this I am hoping to gain some drop but I am also hoping to gain more up ward travel after the new mount bar and shocks are in place. I have a felling this is only one of many steps in the process. This is making me think a lot about learning to weld!


Angelo IÆm not sure if the springs would fall out. To get them in I unbolted the sway bar, the bottom of the shocks and one of the bolts in the bar connecting the rear of the axel to the frame. I then lowered the diff and had some one stand on the hub to push one side of the axel down and it was still a tight fit. The springs might fall out, but I think they will stay in.

Old Colt I was looking at the top of the spring seats last night and this morning before work. Since I just put in new springs that will have to wait for another day when I save up a bit more cash for the truck. I also think the rest of the rear would have to be worked over to allow for more drop and to take full advantage of even longer springs.

Are you planning on selling your three link set up? If you are I would be interested.


Justice, I didnÆt notice that when I was looking at it. That is a good call. I will have to look into it.

The whole goal of this is to try and regain some of the up travel and to gain a little more rear drop. I know it is not going to be a ramp monster. But it would be nice not to hit the 2 wheel motion as much with the non flexing front.

Yes, my intention is to build a kit with more than one level of complexity that will free up the travel in the rear.
At this time it looks to be a three link with the option of replacing the panhard bar with a more complex structure that will center the axle better over a longer travel.

I vote for triangulated 4 link for the rear. Good centering & flexible. Negates the need for panhard bar.

Ed

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