I'm running 10 inch rear springs and when I mounted my shocks I really don't have much travel on the shock .. I would say I have like 3 inches of stem sticking out of the shock how much travel is okay?

 

If your running an Afco shock or other with a poly bumpstop on the shock shaft, I've been told its ok to cut a few ribs off it to allow more travel.

 

I lowered my shock mounts for this reason, and cut the bump in half

Have about 6 inches of travel now

 

you probably have too stiff a spring under it. i use 12 inch springs

 

Lowering the shock mount was how I was always told to take care of this problem, you don't want the shocks bottoming out.

When at ride height, you should be about in the middle of the travel, give or take a LITTLE bit.

 

Generally you want the shock 1" off the bump stops at ride height.

 

That's quite different then what I have been told, please explain this.

 

Dont question it just setup it up that way.

 

I can understand having a bump stop set to stop the car from bottoming out the shocks 1/2 an inch before the shock is compressed 100%, but setting the shock that far into the extension, is that not running a risk of doing internal shock damage when they bottom out? Or are you saying 1 inch of shock shaft exposed, plus the rubber stop for an Afco shock?

I'm all for trying stuff and have NO problem doing something different, just trying to understand the why to it.

I am going to relocate the shocks to the rear side of the housing, between the frame rails, and this is something that is easily adjustable, the mounts on the housing will have some adjustment, top will be mounted to a bar between the frame rails, tied into the cage. That being said, I can put them anywhere pretty much, I just want to understand this method, and the effect it will have before doing so.

 

My shocks setup about 1-1.5" exposed shaft. I asked the man about it and was told it was fine. I couldn't tell you if it works or not since the car doesn't run yet but everything else he has touched has turned to gold so I don't question it!

Jon

 

Okay thanks fellas I'm going to have to move my shock down another 3/4 inch.. I have about 3/8 above the bump stop..

 

let me guess???car moves 3 feet and blows the tires off.

i had 1/2 and now 2/5/8


thanks too!
MADMAN RACING CO.

 

Are you on drag radials?

 

I'm not ganna be on drs for now but eventually I will.. And the cars not even running so no way it can go up in smoke yet.. Well unless my wife burns it down!

 

This is what we look for. 1" off the bump stops.

 

And generally speaking, 1" is plenty of travel for compression if we follow the golden rule.. "Girls squat, cars don't"

 

Slicks?

 

shouldn't a set of "replacement" shocks not need the lower mount relocated? I can understand if distance b/w midpoint of axle tube to say the top of the bottom bushing changed. but other than that, a replacement shock shouldn't have to have it's attachment point relocated.

 

So is there am optimal shock length to have in total then, in the case that I can put anything back there I want, since they're getting relocated to the back of the rear?

 

I like as much shock travel as I can get. You need to have most of the shaft in the body of the shock so when the car launches and separates the shock doesnt "top" out.

On an f-body with the shock behind the axle I use either a 5" or 6" stroke shock unless I cut into the floor.