Opinions on a Mini Bedcage

[GMillion$]

So as part of my 64" leaf swap, I bought a pair of 15" travel rancho 9000's. I plan on using the u-bolt plates as the lower shock mounts and a minimalist bedcage to locate the upper mounts.

I want to do a mini bedcage since I plan on sleeping in the bed on overnight wheelin trips (either planned or un-planned...), like having bed space for fire wood and other junk (long box), and since I can't justify the cost of materials for a full cage setup.

Right now I think if i fab up something similar to a front coilover mounting "system" (shock hoops parallel to frame rails, removable cross bar attaching the top of the shock hoops, should be about level with bed rails) I could use the stock box (with a few holes/notches cut) and have a strong enough set-up.

Other than than the shocks angled 20deg? towards the front of the truck and using dom (and not shitpipe) what else should i do?

I've never seen one done like this, so there must be a reason why not to???

 

[GMillion$]

This link is a how-to on full bed cages, the picture shows a full cage based around two shock hoops and a cross bar. Looks like i could pull off a "mini" version of it...

http://www.desertrides.com/reference/images/bedcage/mflobedcage02.jpg

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think your basic plan is sound. Why angle the shocks?

Richard

 

[Toreadorranger]

Careful with angling them. The more you angle them the less effective they are at dampening suspension movement.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I didn't see your link last time I posted. What Torreadorranger says is correct. I would build the cage so that the shocks are at 90 degrees to the [imaginary] line between the front spring pivots and axle spring bracket at full bump. This would make sure the shock is working at 100% when it's needed the most. Have them as straight as possible while still clearing the tires. Cycle the suspension with the tires you're using before you finish-weld everything. I've also seen a cantilever set-up, a lot harder to plan and build, but you save the box from being cut up. All this info I'm giving is through my research, I haven't built a mini bed cage or cantilever as yet, but I am racing my truck;
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79003
Check out some of these sites as well;
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/
http://race-dezert.com/home/
http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/index.php
http://www.desertrides.com/
Good luck,

Richard

 

[Snoranger]

Shock angle-------- 10°-- 15°-- 20°-- 25°-- 30°-- 35°-- 40°-- 45°

Percent effective--- 96%- 93%- 88%- 82%- 75%- 66%- 59%- 50%


This may help.

 

[GMillion$]

So the main idea is to make the upper mount so that the shock is @ 90deg at full compression, and at ride height, it'll naturally have some forward angle to it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The front of the spring lengthens as it straightens out under compression, so I think the shock will angle back slightly at ride height. A few degrees one way or the other isn't the end of the world. As long as your working in that area, you should do the 'shackle flip'. It's actually flipping the shackle mount 180*, which gives a better ride and more droop, allowing you to use all of the 15" shocks travel. If you decide to do it, make sure that your shackle is at 90* to the spring when your finished [you may have to slid the mount back a few inches]. You could also use longer shackles, but they may hit your box. Again, all this info is through my research, not personal experience. It wouldn't hurt to research this a bit more. Also don't tighten up your bushing bolts until all the weight is on the springs.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Mine is just rear shock hoops with holes through the bed for the shocks. The shocks are mounted to the top of the leaf spring plates.

 

[GMillion$]

thanks for those pics! that's exactly what i had in mind, but i thought that the top of the shock hoops would need to be tied together, and maybe even needed to be cross-braced.

wouldn't the forces on the shocks cause alot of deflection at the the top of the shock hoops? but then would that deflection really be that bad?

 

[wahlstrom1]

The shock towers would onlt need that much bracing if they were much more angled. Mounted near vertical the only forces on the hoops will be straight up, which they are more then capable of withstanding.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've had no issues with mine. That is not your average bed they are welded to tho....it's all 3/16" steel plate that is is welded too. It's not like they have coilovers mounted to them. The shocks really don't put a lot of strain on them.

 

[GMillion$]

Thanks for all the info. So since I'm only mounting shocks and not coilovers, y'all figure I could get away with using pipe instead of the almighty dom?

I'll be making some mounting plates so i can bolt them to the frame

 

[AaronC]

What stroke shocks are you running? I actually have a bolt on bed cage that I'm using until I get to work on the cage. Heres a pic.. Maybe you can get some ideas.

This is with the bed off, I added spacers underneath each mount to similate as is the bed was on it. Please excuse the zip ties.

Heres with the bed on..

Even with this setup I still would like to add some triangulation. I was quite shocked with how much force these shocks put out onto the mounts.

 

[93offroad4.0]

looking good, you have a spare tire mount?