Shock placement . . . Fore, aft, center???

I'm trying to decide where to place my shocks . . .

I've read about how to calculate the length of shock needed, but I can't seem to find any information about the advantages of placing shocks directly above, in front or behind the axle or at an angle in-board or out-board.

I'm a scientist at heart and would like a justification for what I do.

 

I may have found some justification in an article by Rick Webster on 4X4Review here:

http://www.4x4review.com/feature/shock-genius.asp

He states the following:
Angle of the Dangle Mounting shocks at angles reduces the overall dampening effect of the shock. Reason being; the shock’s mechanisms will travel geometrically, less of a distance than that of the suspension system. Some vehicles (early model Land Cruisers, etc.) have their rear shocks mounted at about a 30-degree inward (inward = leaning toward the differential, not forward or aft-ward) angle, while others have their shocks mounted at a 20 degree angle or so forward and/or aft ward of the rear axle (e.g. Chevy, Jeep CJ’s, etc.). There are several reasons why this might be done. First, available space… regardless, if this is something you are going to do yourself, you’ll need to increase the static pressure of shock to mimic the shocks effectiveness of it being in a perpendicular location. Secondly, you can gain more suspension articulation than would normally be limited by the overall travel of the shock absorber if it were located perpendicular to that of mounting your shocks at an angle, if you don’t have room for a taller shock absorber. The charts here show the overall estimated reduced effectiveness of a raked shock absorber. However, these numbers should only be used as a rule of thumb as other factors such as the arc of the suspension cycle can factor in.

. . . and has this nice little chart . . .



That said . . . I'd still love to hear what you all may think on the matter!

 

Wonder why Dodge trucks always had their rear shocks at a steep angle? I'm no help, but I did put mine straight up and down.

 

I welded mine in strait up.
And will put the shock on top of the axle.

No measurments yet.

 

My new mounts will be on the shackle side of the axle and tipped back slightly, maybe that 10 degree angle?, They'll be boxed into the wheelwell enough to not make contact with tire and tied into rollcage. On the axle, the mount will be back (shackle) side slightly above tube bottom and be weld on. This should give me max. shock effectiveness!

My old setup was stock mounts (front and rear) with a second mount mirroring the stock ones. I bought the dual pin skid/spring plates, seemed to work well, but in the rocks I pounded those lower mounts pretty hard, I have decided that the U bolt flip kits are the way to go!

Dale

 

Verticle is better if you can find a shock the correct length for your application. I like mounting my shocks just behind the axle (to the spring plate) on the front and just in front of the axle in the rear. This helps protect the shock body from nasty rocks off-road.

 

I'm not sure if this is what you are asking but alot of OEMs put one shock on each side of the axle hanging down about as low as the pumkin. I have heard that this is used to combat axle wrap. I'm not sure if this is a factor with your suspension (If you are running a ladder bar or a coil spring suspension). On my M38 I am not sure if my shocks will be on on top of the axle or one the front or back but I know for sure that they will mount up higher were they are not rock anchors.

Chris