front shocks

[Paul]

here is post number seventeen it the modified build series

I slid out of work early to get back on what what really matters, HOT RODS!! hahaha!!

today I mounted the front shocks, it could have been done much later in the build but I couldn't wait http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I used the '49 F1 shock mounts from Upchuck, thank you, a pair of '51-'52 Dodge car front shocks and some pin style bolt on lower mounts that I welded to the axle.

and here is how;

the rubber bushings in the shocks take 3/4" bolts but the mounts top and bottom are 5/8"

so I used some 3/4" electrical conduit the just happens to be perfect for sleaving the mounts out to fit the shocks.

I gathered all the parts together

[Paul]

I cut the threaded end off the lower mount, I'll be welding it on

[Paul]

bolted a shock to an upper and lower mount and clamped it to the frame to check fit

[Paul]

tacked the lower mount to the axle and warmed the upper mount with a torch and bent it top and bottom to fit the frame and shock

[Paul]

after several warming/bending/fittings I got it to fit and look like it was going to fit pretty good and bent the other one to match

[Paul]

welded the lower mount up

[Paul]

let everything cool and bolted it together

[Paul]

then I bolted the upper on the other side and measuring from a couple bolt holes saw that it needed a little more warming and bending to get it the same as the first one, when it was looking good I let it cool, bolted the shock to it and used the shock to help align the lower mount, tacked it, took the shock off, welded it to the axle,

[Paul]

let everything cool off and bolted it all together

[Paul]

one more

[Paul]

and there you have it, the front is starting to look pretty done!

to be continued!!

Paul

[2tall2beahotrodder]

Got a question. It seems from the pic that the driver side shock is mounted more towards the horns. Is that just a bad camara angle ..or..??

[Tman]

Cool days work.You are inspiring in your progress.

[Paul]

everything measures exactly the same both sides, it must be camera angle

[Paul]

every picture I take makes it look twisted in a different direction http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

it looks better than the pictures show http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Paul

[Artiki]

How have you welded the lower mount to the axle? MIG or TIG? Is it OK to MIG to a beam axle?

[Paul]

mig, with a 1/4" fillet weld, no chamfer.

welded directly to the flat spot right at the pin boss.

I don't think it will or did hurt the axle, maybe one drawback with the way I did it is that if it is damaged it will require cutting, grinding and rewelding to repair.

....

as a side note, I removed all but the main leaf (mono) and used three 1/4" shims on top of the spring and one 1/2" shim under so I can adjust ride hieght as the car is loaded.

also; I chose the '51-'52 Dodge shocks because they were the shortest shock in the book without going to a "street rod" shock. they measure about 9-1/4" collapsed with about 5" travel. they are nice an stiff and with a relatively soft spring should work real good.

Paul

[old beet]

Keep it up!!!!!!Lookin Good!!!!.........OLDBEET

[C9]

Been enjoying your fast running buildup articles.

I'm guessing your choice of a Dodge shock is a good one.
I think the valving on them is a little stiffer than shocks from similar era cars.
That due to the short travel the Dodge shock has and the leverages imposed by their mounting system - which - I'm assuming is the same as the 50 Plymouth coupe I owned a short while back. (The shock is mounted to the upper and lower A-arms.)

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think it will or did hurt the axle, maybe one drawback with the way I did it is that if it is damaged it will require cutting, grinding and rewelding to repair.



[/ QUOTE ]

It's my understanding that welding on the Ford forged axles is an ok way to do things.
I don't think you'll have any damage in the area you've chosen to mount it in.
Modern day under the axle shock mounts hang down in the breeze and you don't hear much about them getting damaged.
Although - I keep looking at the flat area ground on the front of the wishbones upper leg and thinking it's about the same size as the base of the lower shock mount.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[burger]

Cool post!

Thanks for posting this series, Paul. Stuff like this keeps me coming back.

I think I'm going to have to order up a set of 51/2 Dodge shocks! Thanks for doing my homework for me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Ed

[Paul]

thanks guys,

I appreciate your encouragement,

and it's good to get compliments from youse guys whom I respect. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Paul