Shock mounting question

[DaveB]

I'm to the point on my commando project that I need to figure out the best shock mounting position for the rear four link. I picked up a set of long travel Ranchos and it looks like I can mount them one of two ways. The first method would be a long shock tower that would go up into the wheel well. The other way would be to mount them on an angle goint towards the center of the jeep. I know that the center mounting position would allow for the most articulation but the wheel well location would most likely give the best on-road sway control. The shocks have about 13.5 inches of travel so either position should give enough articulation. Any thoughts ?

 

[RockMonkey]

Mount them as vertical as possible. The shocks will provide more shock-dampening this way since you'll be using more of the shock travel for the same amount of vertical suspension travel.

 

[Shawn]

I have ran them before with the angle pointing at the center of the Jeep. Don't do it, the dampening is horrible. Vertical is the better.

 

[DaveB]

OK I'll try to keep them vertical. I have been doing some calculating and I'll need to measure to see if I can keep the wheels from rubbing them when one tire is stuffed and the other is down (if I mount them out in the wheel wells).

 

[Tan Comanche]

I had great luck mounting mine on the back side of the axle, in the vertical position.

 

[Silly Willy]

I had great luck mounting mine on the back side of the axle, in the vertical position.

Any report on how it rides now?

 

[DaveB]

Any report on how it rides now?

My son's comanche has them off the back of the axle with a bit of an angle back and they ride fine. I'm looking at the commando mounts and inside the wheel well might work but comes close on wheel rub when articulating. I probably should have gotten a shorter shock but I am still going to try and make them work. The double triangulated four links flex link crazy and the shocks will work well for the flex.

PS I measured the angle that the rear shocks are tipped back on several of my rigs that have the shocks off of the back of the axle and here are the angles I found: MJ 15 degrees, K30 20 degrees, ZJ 35 degrees