Just curious.... Why do we see tube shocks mounted body down on many hot rods? Is it because people buy the type that can only be mounted that way or is it because they don't care how the car rides or handles?
A 70/30 or 90/10 shock doesn,t know if it's "upside down" or not. These numbers are the compression and rebound ratings and are regardless of the mounting. The reason shocks are mounted with the body down is that the gas bag inside of almost all production shocks requires this to function. Gas charged shocks, that dont have a bag in them, also usually identified as single (or mono)tube, can be mounted either way. In race applications monotube shocks are usually mounted with the tube end up to reduce the amount of unsprung weight, but can be mounted either way. If you want to know more on shock ratings and functions go to a web page of one of the race shock manufacturers like AFCO or QA1.
Most stock production shocks are made to mount body down as noted above. This also helps keep water off the rod what with the shield can. For best ride and handling, it works better on a street roadster with the body up to reduce unsprung weight, as noted above, assuming the shock is designed for body up mounting. Other than vintage race cars, I have never seen a sprint car shock mounted body down. Pete (who owns 20 sets of shocks for his vintage race car)
Most twin-tube and mono-tube shocks are designed to be mounted body down, many actually have a warning stamped into the body telling you which side down....there are some 4x4 shocks and some race shocks that can be mounted either way...but they are designed for that.
The Jalopy Journal
