Hey I'm stuck again on my build. I have a 57 chevy 2dr. post and am rigging rear shocks. My question is if I mount the shock bottom at the leaf shock bracket and do I go up to the body or the frame. I was going to make a bar that went from one side of the frame to the other at the top The original shocks went through the body and into the trunk. I would mount them stock only I moved the leaf springs inboard of the frame rails. Basically should I go from the rear end leaf spring mount to the body or could I make a tube that go's from one side at the top of the frame to the other side and mount the shocks there ? Any help would be very welcome
57 chevy rear shock mounts
- Thread starter rustyone
- Start date
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MercuryMac
Builder Junky!
mounting
I would like to see you make a tube across between the frame rails. The body won't take the constant jarring back and forth that the shock will give it. Once, I put new heavier shocks on a '68 Super Bee, thinking I was doing myself a favour. Wrong mistake. The shocks quickly broke the factory cross sill and then ripped holes in the floor when I tried to patch it in a hillbilly manner. Those shocks give their mounting brackets a lot more stress than you first think. If you put your shocks straight up and down you will loose the pan hard affect of the slanty ones. My observations; but take into consideration that I live way out in the country on gravel roads and I used to go right along. Keep on tinkering.
I would like to see you make a tube across between the frame rails. The body won't take the constant jarring back and forth that the shock will give it. Once, I put new heavier shocks on a '68 Super Bee, thinking I was doing myself a favour. Wrong mistake. The shocks quickly broke the factory cross sill and then ripped holes in the floor when I tried to patch it in a hillbilly manner. Those shocks give their mounting brackets a lot more stress than you first think. If you put your shocks straight up and down you will loose the pan hard affect of the slanty ones. My observations; but take into consideration that I live way out in the country on gravel roads and I used to go right along. Keep on tinkering.
Hey Mercury Mac thanks for your input. I think I will make a frame to frame tube. Now that I moved the leaf springs to the inside of the frame rails ( to allow for wider tires ) I wonder what angle of the shock would be best for stability when cornering, maybe I'm going to end up with an anti sway bar ... I'm not sure. You see this 57 which I've had since 1978 IS my bucket list. I'm very old and before I kick I want to drive this rat from Phx. Az. on Route 66 to Chicago then eventually to Detroit where I'm from. So I'm trying to do something on it every day to get it done, not a lot of time. I have no help but I do have a shop behind the house with a lift and lots of tools and that's what I'm doing.Thanks for reading my dribble 
Stroker McGurk
Well-known member
The top of the shock being mounted into the body was always a sore point with Tri-Five guys......Put a bar across the frame and mount to that.
BlueNorther
Well-known member
when I moved the springs into the frame on my 57, I mounted shorter Corvette rear shocks from the original axle mount to some mounts on the inside of the frame rail, didn't use a cross member.
Interesting
