Rear shock re mount

[nonhog]

Sorry if I missed it.
Is there a best guess as to redrilling shock mounts.
As in length vs. lift?
2" lift equals 2" higher hole?
Just wanted to be sure.

[MountainManJoe]

You either buy longer shocks, or you weld new mounts on top of the axle.

[Astrophysics]

Hi,

For my 2" lifted 2003 AWD Astro, I installed Monroe coil over rear shocks to OEM shock mounts.

Very nice.

The coil spring adds a bit more capacity without the weigh and stiffness of add a leaf method.

AP

[nonhog]

I ended up using the stock mount location.
I may redrill later. Plenty of people have redrilled the stock brackets.

[MountainManJoe]

OK. Is that such a good idea? I think part of the reason for their location is to prevent axle wrap.

[Astrophysics]

Hi,

Yes, I agree that it is better to leaf stock shock tab location. The extra length gives more leverage arm or effective torque to minimize axle wrap. That is also why the left rear shock is mounted behind the axle and the right rear is located in front of axle.

Adding rear Hellwig rear sway bar also acts as a mini training arm to give a bit of axle position stability.

AP

[Astrophysics]

Hi

The low point is still the rear differential. Sure the lower shock tab could scrap on rough off road situation. But drive slow through ruts and creeks and dirt roads. The scrap at diff or shock mounts is a good warning to go slow. Also, put a 4 mm thick aluminum skid plate(s) to protect oil pan and transmission and t case.

AP

[Captn. Crunch]

I cut and folded mine. I can’t see how two shocks designed to travel can have much if any effect on the rear axle wrap situation. I’m putting my money on the extra leaf of the S-10 pack to keep everything in line

[MountainManJoe]

I've never banged my shock mounts. I think the likelihood is insignificant.

[Captn. Crunch]

Ya it’s not a game changer either way but I’ve always hated having those things dangling under the van. It’s a cleaner look and a simple job so I did it. Wheeling here in NE. it’s the tree stumps that kill ya. You hit a rock and it’ll slide, you hit a stump and your backing up and changing your line. I’ve called them stump catchers for years

[doyoulikeithere]

I liked the added benefit that because the van was lifted a couple inches, when you shorten the mount a couple inches the stock shocks still fit good.