Shock Question

[pbets756]

I'm doing a frame off restoration of my 76 and currently have the frame completed and is on wheels. I don't have the engine, tranny or body mounted yet. I went to install the new shocks and they are short a couple inches due to the lack of weight on the frame. Can I compress the frame enough to get the shocks bolted on, then release the weight off the frame without damaging the shock. I'm worried that there will be a strain on the shocks forcing them fully extended, not knowing if this could damage them. thank Paul

 

[golfobx]

i would agree with that thought process, that once u release tension you're likely to due damage

 

[wepuckett]

I would wait till you have weight on the frame by adding the body and such as you might have the wrong size shocks.

 

[price209]

I may be wrong but if your shocks are too short without weight they will end up being too short if you do any offroad. At full droop your axles will most likely be extended further than they are now on one side. Not to mention if you ever put your rig on Jacks at the frame your axles are going to extend further from the frame than they are right now puttong that weight on you shocks. Just a thought.

 

[JLBachs]

I may be wrong but if your shocks are too short without weight they will end up being too short if you do any offroad. At full droop your axles will most likely be extended further than they are now on one side. Not to mention if you ever put your rig on Jacks at the frame your axles are going to extend further from the frame than they are right now puttong that weight on you shocks. Just a thought.

X2 you don't want your shocks to be your travel limiter off-road

 

[bronconut73]

It would be a great time to install aftermarket shock mounts. Using longer shocks will really help articulation.
I was surprised how much more down travel I had with my Extra Long RS 9000's up front.
Removing the stock shock mount and installing the new ones was a real bitch but would have been way easier with the motor and body off the frame. Something to consider while your this tore down at the moment.

 

[pbets756]

Thank you all for the advise. I compared the lengths of the new shocks with the original ones that came from the factory and they are the same lengths. I know the old ones are original because they had undercoating on them and has 52000 miles and bought from original owners. I don't plan on off roading at all. There really is no limiting how far it extends other than how far the coil springs release or running out of shock is there? My bronco has the heavy duty springs on it (six leafs in rear vs 5) so maybe it sits up a little higher from that. thanks Paul

 

[Broncobowsher]

The shocks are the factory limiter on most every production vehicle. Swapping rear axles on new trucks I will typically unbolt the shocks before I lift the truck and the axle will drop an inch or two further than the shocks would allow.

Most vehicles with coil springs the shock is the only thing that prevents the suspension from dropping too far and the springs falling out when you put them on the hoist.

Is this a completely bare chassis? I would have thought the weight of the chassis alone would get closer than a couple inches away?

Being a stock restoration, it is probably correct. Put the shocks on the shelf for now and get back to it later. You may have an issue of the wrong springs, but you will need the truck to be together before really knowing that.

 

[wepuckett]

Also just because things are the same length as factory does not mean it was wright to begin with as look at the floor pans in theese broncos and many other things, as Broncobowsher said put them on the shelf and recheck them when you get the truck back together. Another ? for you is if you have put any sort of lift on the truck then your shock lengths will be off as well.

 

[pbets756]

Yeah its a bare frame with axles all bolted on. I can push the frame down with force enough to line the shock bolts up. Everything is stock and no lift. Im pretty sure now once engine, tranny and body are on it will settle out.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Yeah its a bare frame with axles all bolted on. I can push the frame down with force enough to line the shock bolts up. Everything is stock and no lift. Im pretty sure now once engine, tranny and body are on it will settle out.

With that description, they are fine and correct.