Shock mount/travel crash course

My truck had a unexpected component failure in the rear suspension while I've been saving up parts to redo it.


I'm very low in funds and can't purchase off the shelf rear shock mounts.

I have new rear springs (AllPro? can't remember) and new Bilstein 14" travel 7100 rear reservoir shocks. New aftermarket bump stops and a ubolt flip kit.


Anyway, I need a crash course on rear suspension travel to build the rear shock mounts so the rear shocks don't bottom out in either direction. I've got plenty of steel and a welder.

I'm not looking for parts recommendations. I need some sort of formula, I think.

Thank you!

 

It’s just basic math. Put the new pack in and take all the leaves out but one, put a block of wood to take up thickness of the pack. Cycle the suspension and measure travel, where you’ll mount the shocks you’ll want to make sure you’re as close to middle as you can be, but may have to sacrifice some numbers for the sake of mounting configuration. You can always extend the bump tops to prevent bottoming out the shock, and where you put the axle mount is a compromise between ground clearance and up travel capability.

 

Looking at them leaf springs makes my jaw hurt! But to be honest, you aren't going to travel much with them springs.

 

Check out the how to's for the chevy 63" leaf spring swap.
I know they use prefabbed shock mounts but there will be some good info there.

As mentioned above, you probably won't get the full 14" of travel with a stock length leaf springs.
You might also need to punch through the bed, I know a 12" shock will fit and have seen some custom 14" shocks work but man is it close.

 

You can always weld in the ford front shock mount for a cheap shock relocation. They're around $60-$80 online. BAMF also has a weld it yourself shock relocation kit for $80.

 

Thank you! I never would have done it like how you wrote but I am doing it that way.

Thank you. I'll check those 2 options out, it might save me some grief.

 

I carry a lot of extra weight all of the time and my truck tows several times a week. It's a compromise option I took. I'm trying to get the back end of the truck somewhat useable for my hobby (boats) and useable offroad.