The last installment of project STK TRUK has finally arrived. Look for a full feature on this truck in an upcoming issue.
For the shocks, Steve and I decided to call RCD Classics and pick up some of the awesome shocks they have. I had installed some on my '53 Cadillac and loved them, and Steve is already rocking them on his '97 S-10,which can be seen in the pages of this issue. These are also the same shocks that Max Fish installed on Lowlife Mike's truck a while back. They ride awesome on heavy or small trucks.
The formula Steve uses for shock location and installation is as follows:
| Desired wheel travel | = | X |
| Shock Stroke |
(four-link bar/A-arm length) = shock position, measured from the frame pivot to the wheel or rear-end.
Knowing our front shocks have 4.5 inches of travel and our rears have 6.5 inches of travel, our formulas looked like this:
0.65(30.75) = 19.9
(we rounded up to 20)
Of course, depending on what you're installing shocks on, your results will vary.
1. Steve measured the shocks...
1. Steve measured the shocks eye to eye to collapsed and extended.
2. To figure out the location...
2. To figure out the location of our rear shocks, Steve measured the rear four-link bar from the front pivot toward the rear end. Then, the four-link bar was marked and drilled out to 7/8 inch for our sleeves.
3. Here, you can see our sleeve...
3. Here, you can see our sleeve welded into place.