Shocks are bottomed out

quik

quik

Member
OK, just like any other project my new one is testing my resolve.

I figured out today that the front shocks are bottomed out, LITERALLY. The front shocks are completely compressed at ride height. I'll try and attach some photos later.

I've never owned a vehicle with a dropped leafspring suspension so I'm out of my element here. I have no idea how to spec a short shock or where I can find a longer shock mount bracket. If all else fails I can make a new shock mount bracket, but I would rather not reinvent the wheel.

It's a 1941 1/2 ton pickup with a 2" drop in the front with a transverse leafspring. The compressed height of the current shock is 9.5" and the extended length is 13.5". Any help is appreciated.
 
I had the same issue with my 1941 1/2 ton.

Check Pete and Jakes hot rod tube shocks, they worked on my front end. They are available in a short, (7.25"/11.25"), or long, (9.25"/14.25"), version. They also have a kit with the upper mounts included that bolt right into the original shock mounting holes and longer shackle bolts to use as a bottom mount. The other option is to get the spec listings from a shock manufacturer such as Monroe and check what they have based upon mounting style and min/max length your vehicle requires.

To determined the collapsed length measurement:
1. Measure the length of your current shock while mounted, between the two mounting points.
2. With the axle in the same position, measure the distance between the axle and the bump stop on the frame. Subtract this measurement from the measurement in step one, this is the collapsed length.

To determine the max extended length, unhook the shock and jack the car by the frame until the tire is no longer touching the ground and again, measure between the mounting points, this will be your max extended length

If you can find a shock with a min less then your compressed length and a max longer than your max needed length you won't run into issues. It is more important that the shock collapse to your minimum/collapsed length or you could break the shock or its mount. You may need to compromise.

Found a Gabriel Shock catalog online:
https://gabriel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020-Gabriel-LV-Catalog.pdf

If you look at 'Section F' starting on page 432, it describes shock mounts, etc.., at page 438 you can look at shock specs by their part number, find the right specs and order by part number. Pages 1 through 432 are shocks by application based upon year/make/model. You can probably find catalogs for other manufactures on line or at your local parts store.

Most parts stores just want to ask what year/make/model and that doesn't work.
 
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If you scan the catalog above and then find your potential candidates you can then look the numbers up at Rockauto and find the application. It works for some, at least.

Mart.
 
Thanks for the replies. I wasn't aware of the shock calculations, so that was a huge help. Ill check out Gabriel and see if a shock fits the truck.

Rockauto is a great idea too. Thanks!
 
I have a 4" dropped axle on my '40 coupe with a Posies reverse eye spring....pretty much the same set up as your '41 PU.....I used "stock" Gabriel replacement '48 Ford shocks with the "old style" upper tube shock mounts.......no issues for past 30+ years.....
 
alanwoodieman said:
what upper shock brackets are you using? F1 ? or the after market ones that replace the shocks with a tower
Click to expand...

I'm not sure, but they look after market to me. The original owner claimed they were from chassis engineering and I found a front end kit chassis engineering USED to make and it looks exactly the same. I called chassis engineering and they no longer make that kit.

I did find a solution a from Helix:

https://www.johnnylawmotors.com/catalog/suspension-parts-kits/solid-axle-suspension/mounts-and-brackets/HEXSHXR5/helix-1935-1948-ford-solid-axle-upper-shock-mount-bracket-kit

This bracket should work perfectly with the shocks on the truck and they won't break the bank.
 
Stay with the CE brackets. Are you using reversed leaf eye front spring?
 
Be careful when dealing with "Johnny Law Motors". I think they are a part of "The Hoffman Group", and thus suspect. There are some negative posts about them on thee "H.A.M.B.", but if they have what you want, go for it. Just be careful.
 
Just look in the shock catalog or Monroe has a catalog also. You need ones that have the compressed/extended size you want with the shock eyes you want. Measure the truck from centerline to centerline of studs and get one that's a few inches longer and shorter. Also IF you can, try to find one from a close weight type vehicle (so the valving will be close). My '41 p/u rear is going to use a 60's Chevy truck front shock, I just had to change the upper shock bushing.
 
Step-down said:
hydraulic Vs Gas shocks
I’ve had a hard time buying hydraulic
Click to expand...

Oil filled shocks are pretty much a thing of the past. The EPA played a part due to the disposal of old oil shocks into the landfills. Actually nothing wrong with the gas filled.
 
Here are the Gabriel shocks sorted by length. All these have 5/8 bushes both ends.

438820


Mart.
 

Attachments

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Thanks for all the replies. Sorry I haven't replied in a while, but work is extremely busy lately.

I've already ordered the longer shock mounts from Johhny Law. Thanks for the "heads up" Tubman, I hope the deal works out ok.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.
 
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