Shock mount mod for '65-'66 cars with Koni's

[Opentracker]

The question I get asked the most at shows is what the spacers on the shocks are for? Not, how did you get that Cleveland in there? or any question about racing. So I made this:

It will get ground down smooth on the outside and painted black, should look stock at first glance. I'll have to make one over a inch longer for my '65 Ranchero project. This added 3/4" to the stock mount. I could have fabed up some custom part but I wanted it to look stock to anyone who doesn't know a C-code from a D-code. It may not look like it but this took a lot of time. As always I will be happy to help anyone who wants to make some but this has nothing to do with making the car go faster.


John

 

[Ronstang]

Who are these noobs John? They don't understand that a shock works best when the piston is at a somewhat central location of it's travel at ride height and when you lower a car you need to compensate with the mounting of the shock? These are obviously not people who see your car at the track unless they are from the grandstands...HAHAHA.

 

[dodgestang]

I feel for you John, I have the same problem with my Cleveland. Nice caps. What happened to your account on the VMF btw? I was trying to get a hold of you to get a question answered that I knew you would know

 

[latamud]

John,

I'll be there in a day. You can tell me all about it. I was thinking of the same thing for my shock mounts. I'm using the taped up washers still. I'm bringing pen and paper. I'm taking notes.

 

[Opentracker]

I'll be there in a day. You can tell me all about it. I was thinking of the same thing for my shock mounts. I'm using the taped up washers still. I'm bringing pen and paper. I'm taking notes.

It'll be good to see you again. Bring your shock mounts and we'll make some. You may want to use a camera for some of this other stuff. Words may not be enouph to describe it. I have to show it to folks around here. When I tell them what I made they just give me the blank look.

What happened to your account on the VMF btw? I was trying to get a hold of you to get a question answered that I knew you would know

This format works better for me. I'll be glad to answer any questions you have Nick. You can always email me at [email protected].

Who are these noobs John?

Ha-Ha.......I wish I knew. Some of the questions are off the wall but I do my best to answer them, it's all good. The kids are the most fun. Sometimes they ask if it's a Ford or Chevy? or "DO YOU HAVE NOS?!!!".



John

 

[Dinosawnj]

Nice work John. Do you reinforce the underside of the shock mount area?
I have never had a stock mounted shock pull up, but I have when I used the
spacer method.
Hope your getting penlty of track time,
Bob.

 

[65cpe69mach1]

What is the purpose of raising the shocks up?

 

[Ronstang]

What is the purpose of raising the shocks up?

Reread my first post

 

[Opentracker]

Do you reinforce the underside of the shock mount area?

Not yet. I'm going to use them like this first. If I have any problems they will get more metal and more welding. I overbuild most of my stuff, I thought I would do something normal for a change. This is the second one I made. The first one had a lot of bracing and looked way overbuilt and heavy.


John

 

[1320stang]

John.........................
















YOU ROCK DUDE!!!!! :worship:

 

[Opentracker]

Thought you guys/gals might like to see the finished piece. From a few feet away it looks like a stock Ford part.


John

 

[latamud]

Nice grinding John! I'm going to leave mine industrial looking for a while. Sold MUD by the way.

 

[Opentracker]

Nice grinding John! I'm going to leave mine industrial looking for a while. Sold MUD by the way.

If a car could talk, MUD would have a long and varied story to tell. It was bought as a "parts car that won't ever see the street again". After a days work we drove it around the block sitting on a lawn chair. Now it has been down the drag strip, around the road course and to the car show. Been changed from a auto to a 4-speed and back again with a motor swap or two. It started life with drum brakes with 14's and ended up with 4-wheel disc's with 17's. I'm going to miss that car more than most.



John

 

[Opentracker]

After a long rest I got the second one almost done. No more spacers with this car (wifes car). This is a part I wish Mr. Shelby or Ford would have made for our cars. I am looking forward to the day when someone askes where I got the shock mounts.

John

 

[Pathfinder65]

Another great project John
Is there a formula to figure out how much height should be added to the mounts? Is it based on the length of the shock fully extended and then where it rests when mounted with the full weight of the car on it? Or, do you just estimate based upon the Shelby drop and how much the springs are shortened?
Dave

 

[DarkBuddha]

Badass John! I love your projects... in fact, don't forget I like 'em enough that I created Opentracker's Stangnet thread links page.

Keep up the good work!

 

[ozstang65]

Nice work!

(Any possibility of just getting a shorter pair of shocks from Koni?? )

 

[Opentracker]

Nice work!

(Any possibility of just getting a shorter pair of shocks from Koni?? )

They don't make 'em. They don't make front shocks at all for a Falcon anymore. I found a very old set for a Falcon and had them rebuilt. If you had Koni-na.com do the work, they may be willing to cut the rod down a bit. The guy I talked too said they can do and make just about anything we want.

The second one didn't take near as long to make as I thought it would. This is a weekend project, I'll be glad to help if anyone wants to make some.

Badass John! I love your projects... in fact, don't forget I like 'em enough that I created Opentracker's Stangnet thread links page.

I use that page myself to find photos. Thanks again for the time and web space.


John

 

[Opentracker]

Another great project John
Is there a formula to figure out how much height should be added to the mounts? Is it based on the length of the shock fully extended and then where it rests when mounted with the full weight of the car on it? Or, do you just estimate based upon the Shelby drop and how much the springs are shortened?
Dave

I started using the same spacing as the Vintage racers at Laguna Seca years ago. I asked questions and they said the shock may bottom out with a lowered car. The mount can't be too tall or it will hit the hood. I didn't do anything other than put the shock in the car and bring the suspension up to full joust (with no spring in place) and see how much more room the shock had to go.

John

 

[1965pony]

Is there a formula to figure out how much height should be added to the mounts? Is it based on the length of the shock fully extended and then where it rests when mounted with the full weight of the car on it? Or, do you just estimate based upon the Shelby drop and how much the springs are shortened?
Dave

What ever you lower the car by would determine the height of the space required. The spacer or extended shock mount provides additional shock travel lost during the lowering process.
Very nice alternative to the spacers, Very stock looking. Now to make coil over mounts that look stock! Vince