welding shock mounts?

[texastrendz]

when welding the shock mount tabs on do you gusset them or not. i welded mine on tonight and did not gusset them. does it need to be in between them along the top or not? hope that makes since. any help would be great thanks

[FnLow69]

if there short tabs i wouldnt gusset them, shocks dont have much pressure acting on the them.

[texastrendz]

that is what i figured, just seemed weak to me without the shock in them. once i get the shock in and tight it will stiffin up. thanks man

[smashingchuck]

I would have to disagree with the statement above about not having any pressure on them. They take a beating, and the mounts need to be as strong as possible.

Maybe it's just the way I drive, but I have broken a shock mount in one way or another on every truck I've owned. They need to be tough, and if they are moving now they will eventually break.

[Scottshotrods]

I would gussett them 100% for sure
justin
www.scottshotrods.com

[LONGHAIR]

The factory upper mount for the rear shocks is nothing but a hole in the frame....for a stud in the shock itself. It's not even a double shear type mount.

[bedsled71]

it all depents on what style shock mounts you have and the angle of them.. that needs to be addressed before everyone puts in their input

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

The factory upper mount for the rear shocks is nothing but a hole in the frame....for a stud in the shock itself. It's not even a double shear type mount.

And they loosen up, wallow out the whole, crack the frame, and cause a huge mess.

Seriously, the guy said his shock mounts seem weak, should he put a gusset on them. It's cut and dry.

[FnLow69]

Originally Posted by bedsled71

it all depents on what style shock mounts you have and the angle of them.. that needs to be addressed before everyone puts in their input

I agree with bedsled71, were all jumping to a conclusion here (myself included) and we don't know exactly what it is your mounts look like, a picture would help. then we can really help you in your exact situation....

Justin

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

And they loosen up, wallow out the whole, crack the frame, and cause a huge mess.

That is pure abuse, a guy should pay much better attention than that.

[texastrendz]

hey guys, what i have is just like a double shear setup that is running verticle up and down. shock angles is bout 20 degrees. when i bolt is up it seems o.k. on my old setup i did gusset the top, i did not like the look of it but will do it again if it makes it right.

in this old pic i did not gusset them. this is what i have.

[bedsled71]

if your welds are strong.. those wont go anywhere. i wouldnt gusset them.

[ShowSS12]

Ya I wouldn't gusset them just make sure the welds are strong. They are mounted at a good angle where there isn't any added unneeded stress.

[smashingchuck]

Here's how I gusseted mine (top and bottom):

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Scottshotrods

I would gussett them 100% for sure
justin
www.scottshotrods.com

You guys might consider taking the advice of someone that builds chassis for a living. He might have a pretty good insight on what needs to be done ...

[DHPmike]

No need to gusset them if theres no side load. Most shocks do have some side load at some point in the suspension travel though.

best to do it just to be sure.

I know, real confusing huh...lol

[texastrendz]

thats why i posted a pic of the shock mount, i was hoping one of the chassis guys would take a look and drop a line on what i should do. i have seen them both ways and just want to know the right way. thanks for all the info guys.

[DHPmike]

go with a small mount in the middle. thats a very tough point to break. use at least 3/16" steel for the mounts as well.

[chevyrestoguy]

I bought an '83 that the previous owner let the shock mount studs in the frame wallow around. It opened up the frame hole on all four holes, and two of them (front) were cracked.

Gussets are good, so are doublers in the frame.

[Twisted Minis]

Here's one I did.