SMKYTXN's Build

Well, I can get pretty close to the measurements I'll need without welding anything onto the truck. I may go with a slightly longer shock than needed so that I don't have to worry about over extension or compression.

I'm looking at an extended length of 43" or so, but that was just the initial measurement.

 

Finally put my new wheels on. These are the Konig CounterSteer Type X's.

 

what happend to your sliders?

 

He took them off temporarily because of conflict with the new leaf spring mounting spot.

 

Yup. I have some DOM tubing headed my way so I can build new rear legs on my sliders.

 

with your new shop toy

 

Damn! Man, thats pretty impressive. Wheels look great btw

 

Phill stopped by the shop this evening to help me measure for the new shocks. I took measurements between the underside of the bed and the centerline of the shackle. Here's what I got.

Compressed = 29.5"
Extended = 43.75"
Distance between flat leaf and bump pad = 6"
Brake lines = 36" (there will be plenty of slack with that length)

So with adding an inch for forced travel I'm looking at 15.25" of travel in the rear. My plan is to buy a 16" shock and set it so it won't bottom out or over extend. That's the plan anyway.

With the three other tires on the ground I had 24" under the right passenger tire. The front driver tire had another couple of inches to compress as well.

 

holy flex batman! looks good. hope it all works out

 

Looking good.

 

Mmm. Flexy.

 

Not needed, but consider an 18'' shock, if you have room to move the shock hoop upward a little. I believe the cost adjustment from a 16 to and 18 is minimal.

With only 3/4'' "spare" travel on the shock, it will be fairly difficult to have the mounts positioned perfectly as to not bottom or top it out. you're accounting for forced spring flex, which is great because a lot of people miss that extra extension in their calcs with leaf springs. but you also have to account for frame flex. you'll obviously endure more sever forces than what the fork can place on the truck, when you account for extra gear in the truck, inclines, and especially drive train loads to the frame (static and kinetic). if you run bumps at the right height and limit straps, most of these issues go away, but without limit straps, you may be toying on the edge of an overextended shock, having such little room for error.

just a though

 

Stop giving him ideas, Colin.

 

Not a bad idea Colin. The 18" shock has a compressed length of 28" and an extended length of 46". That would give me 1.5" of exposed shaft on compression and an extra 2.25" of extension past my calculated numbers. Definitely provides more room for error on my part. The additional cost to go from the 16" to 18" shock is only $25, so it's kind of a no brainer.

 

$25?! That's precious beer money.

 

[\QUOTE][/QUOTE]

Looking good Nathan, thats a ton more flex than I though 63's would give you. I would rather go your route than link the rear.

 

Nathan, any issues with the parking brake cable with that much flex? Mine were stretched pretty good at drop after the shackle flip. I'm sure yours drops more than my setup. Just curious.

Nate

 

Looking good Nathan, thats a ton more flex than I though 63's would give you. I would rather go your route than link the rear.[/QUOTE]

There's a lot less math and headache with the 63's than links. You also have a lot more options down the road as far as switching out the leafs and a different axle.

I checked the cables while it was up in the air. I still had slack in the lines that run down the leafs.

 

Just ordered my new kings. Looks like a three week build time and then shipping, so I have some time to get a few more projects out of the way.

King 2.5 Performance Series Smooth Body Shock with Reservoir

18" travel with piggy back reservoir

 

12/10 jealous right now. What did they cost you, if you don't mind me asking?