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#1 |
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 27
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![]() I'm replacing the friction shocks on the front of my T with chrome tube shocks. Maybe someone can tell me if I'm overthinking the conversion...
The first image below shows how the friction shocks are connected. The second is a sketch of my proposed redesign. I intend to mill the bracket from 3/8" aluminum plate and cut several mounting holes up and down the bracket. That will let me to lay the shock back at various angles to tune it. I was initially thinking I could simply mount the shocks to the axle and brackets with the eyes facing sideways. However, I'm concerned about the way these cars allow the axle to shift sideways on the spring shackles going over bumps (no panhard rod on mine). I'm worried this sideways force will damage the shocks. At this point, I'm thinking that I need to bolt rod ends (heims) to the brackets and run the shocks with the eyes facing forward. Female heims could be bolted directly to the brackets at top and bottom. Is this overkill? Jack ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#2 |
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 78
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![]() The bottom mounts on the shocks will have rubber bushings so I don't think you will damage the shocks. You should be OK. I don't think there is a lot of side to side movement anyway and the arc it swings with the shock length will be fine. This is not a rocket ship, it just goes like it!
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#3 |
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 27
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![]() Thanks Tom, I cut the brackets this weekend, and they seem to fit and work OK without heims. My front axle isn't quite centered, so one shock is slightly angled. No one but me will ever notice it though, and I'll fix it when I rebuild the front end later. Here are a couple quick pics of before and after. The shock brackets are 3/8" thick 6061 aluminum. I'm hoping to paint or chrome them next spring.
![]() ![]() Jack |
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#4 |
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 284
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![]() Don't know if you will have a problem with shifting or not. BUT, a panhard bar is sure worth the extra buck$. I am running one on the front and it does make a difference in cornering.
Lee
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If it ain't chopped, it ain't mine.. |
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#5 |
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 19
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![]() Don't paint them! They look neat and distinctive as is.
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#6 |
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: VA.
Posts: 74
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![]() I am with you Blyndgesser!! They look good as is, if anything maybe a little polishing or chrome.
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#7 |
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 284
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![]() Yeppers, just a good edge rounding and some spit and polish. Look good to me.
Lee
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If it ain't chopped, it ain't mine.. |
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#8 |
1st Gear Member
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![]() Triodeluvr What brand & number shocks did you put on the front end when you took off the friction shocks ????? Thank You.......
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#9 |
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 27
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![]() The shocks are Speedway no. 582SM300. These are 9" ride height, but they sell this same shock in various heights.
Jack |
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#10 |
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 284
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![]() Did you fix the bracket coming off the frame so that it don't move? If so how did you do that?
Lee
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If it ain't chopped, it ain't mine.. |
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#11 | |
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 27
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![]() Quote:
http://bucketbuilder.bb3host.com/vie...php?f=17&t=706 Essentially, I replaced the countersunk allen screws with phillips. The phillips screws let me use a lot more torque to tighten them down. So far, they haven't moved since I did that. Jack ![]() |
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#12 |
1st Gear Member
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![]() Nice update,much better shocks an brackets are cool looking.
It would help you to bolt them on the out side of mounts,that way you would gain a little extra % of shocking control per wheel. As long as they miss the steering arm. The more you get the shock mounts out on axle near kingpins the better they work. I see too many close to center or even mounted back on bones were they don't do there job well becuase there too far from tire that they are trying to control but can't do there job if 2ft+ away
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"The Bat" out of hell Dana Miami fl. |
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#13 | |
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 27
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![]() Quote:
Jack |
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