a few questions about bed cages/ shock mounts

[94ranger#22]

I'm going to be starting on a bed cage in the next month or so running these 16" travel shocks http://f-o-a.com/shop/index.php?mai..._id=17&zenid=daeb558056c57b181d5b1cbb0ae8fc5b

My question is tho what about the shocks mounts on the axle? Do i leave them one in front and one in back? and what angle do i put the shocks at? Then also do the chevy leafs get more travel than the Skyjacker Ranger 6" lift ones?

 

[prerunin554]

you know the plate that is ontop of your leaf springs? Yup, the one that holds the axle to the springs via Ubolts? weld some tabs on it and run your shocks off of that.

Perfection would be 90* at full bump for the shock angle, but it all depends on what spring pack you are going with. They might need to be angled forward to cycle enough shock shaft through the cycle of the springs

 

[94ranger#22]

alright thanks. Would .120 1 1/2" pipe be good for the bed cage? or should i go bigger?

 

[94ranger#22]

Would this bracket work? It's off my James Duff traction bars.

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[Quasi242]

Something like this will work better and be easier.

http://www.dixonbrosracing.com/content/view/9/6/

1.5" 120 wall should be sufficient. I am going 1.75" 120 wall on mine. Also the proper material and terminology would be "tubing" not "pipe."

 

[94ranger#22]

Oh okay thanks. I found a set of fox 2.0 16" rr on craigslist for 300 bucks so I'm going to chdeck those out

 

[Quasi242]

2.0 shocks may be a bit small for a single shock setup. 2.0 shocks are usually only used as a coil carrier on these trucks. 2.5 shocks are the standard size.

 

[94ranger#22]

Oh ok. I found a set of fox 2.5 rr 14" stroke for 200 so i'll probably pick those up this week and start on the cage this weekend. Should i just bolt it to the stock bed bolts or straight to the frame?

 

[Quasi242]

You can use the stock bed bolts, but you should reinforce the frame where they pass through.

 

[RangerRocker]

Or cut some holes in the bed, you going to have to anyway, and just weld/bolt the bed cage to the frame. Not bashing on Quasi, just giving you some other ideas.

 

[94ranger#22]

Yeah I'm going to just cut thru the bed and bolt it. Going to start the bed cage tomorrow.
Here's my new shocks I just picked up for $200, the guy said they never seen the dirt.
Fox 2.5 14" travel

 

[Quasi242]

Nice! That's a great price for the shocks.

"Or cut some holes in the bed, you going to have to anyway, and just weld/bolt the bed cage to the frame. Not bashing on Quasi, just giving you some other ideas."

No offense taken. For my setup I am trying to limit the number of holes in the bed. Fewer places for stuff to fall through. Both options are valid. Cutting additional holes will make tube placement easier.

 

[94ranger#22]

Yeah i ended up cutting holes in the bed and bolted it straight to the frame. Got it mainly done today still gotta clean up the welds and paint it. Made it hold 2 spares. I'll post up some pics on the morning