Does anyone see a problem welding on a rear shock mount like this? I think it will work fine but not sure. The only reason I'm doing this is my shocks are now too short. I am told by the local 4wd shop I have the longest they make for these trucks plus they are only about 6 months old. Raising the bracket seems like the simplest solution.

 

I don't see a problem with that... All the force it pushed or pulled inline, there is no load to rip it off as if it where welded on the side of the axle tube. Just make sure your welder is up to the task and you will be fine.

 

Im going to reverse(flip over) my upper shock mounts when I stop being laxy. That should gain 4".

 

Yea I thought about that but didn't feel like messing with the rivets. I think I'm just going to weld the new ones on and be don't with it. The front is a different story I'm still undecided there.

 

Well I decided to weld them on....

 

Looks good, are you going to cut off the old ones to keep them from getting hung up on things?
Is there anything special to know when welding to an axle tube? Will the heat cause the axle tubes to warp or anything? How thick are the axle tubes? how much heat without blowing through them?

 

I built new shock towers (4" shorter) for my front shocks.

 

raising the shock tabs is always a good idea, I like your truck, However, the stacked blocks is a big no no

 

I think your local 4wd shop is feeding you BS, you can order longer stroke shocks from alot of lift kit vendors. Meaning shocks that are for a truck after it has a lift kit installed.

But your fix was cheaper and gets the lower bracket outa the way of rocks and stuff. As far as the front shocks, just call about any lift company and order you some longer stroke shocks. Or I have seen a tab welded in the middle of the front shock tower, hence lowering the mount area for the top attachment point. Not a good idea IMO.

Stack blocks only allow more twisting force to your springs and driveline. But with the rear stack you have I doubt this is an issue. Least you do not have them on the front.

outlawkoyte- thanks for the flip the upper mount idea, good call.

 

I'm not going to cut the other ones off yet at least till I know this was a good idea. Axle tubes are pretty thick there's no worries welding to them after all the factory did it. I don't have a big MIG but its till a 220v welder and I know it wouldnt be possible to burn through with it.

 

Thats what I need

 

Ordering longer shocks for my truck would have been do-able but why? The Shocks I have are in almost new condition and plenty long enough for the amount of suspension travel these trucks see in their lifetime. For $40 I could purchase new shocks and for $2 of steel I could build lower shock towers and continue to use factory length shocks.
77&79250, your rear shock tabs are great, I think I may do my rear shock mounts like that

 

I didnt want to stack blocks that high but I didnt like my other options. I really didnt want to changer rear springs. I had a 4" and a 2" before and it was not a problem. I only went 2" higher then before. Theres no doubt its going to need some sort of traction bar.

 

I was wrong about the rears. They can get them in any length since they have eyes at both ends. Its the front that they said I would have to change to some other combo because I have the longest shock that comes with studs at both ends.

I need to get a traction bar here at some point since I have the such a stack of blocks. Those springs are pretty stiff but I still see some problems with it. This truck doesnt get abused much so it will be fine I'm sure.

 

Yea thats where I'm at. I really didnt feel like replacing something that I just replaced.