Shock Mounts Easier Done Than Said

For a couple of weeks now I have been try to figure out how to install air shocks on the truck.  Lowering the  rear end shortens the shock travel distance and normally you would buy a "shortened" shock.  However the shortened wheel travel makes it very likely that the axle will bottom out.  Forget hauling anything.

One possibility is a air shock that Monroe makes.  It adds 1,100 lbs of load capacity to a vehicle.  After getting an idea for a shock mount from a 1960 Ford F100, I ordered a set of Monroe Max Air  MA810's.

First, I purchase some 5/8" Grade 8 Bolts from Tractor Supply and found some 5/8" collars in the tractor part selection there too.  A lot of time was spent trying to figure this out.  I went to the scrape yard and to pick up steel and upon my return home, I was practically done engineering the mounts in about 20 minutes.  This includes making most of the parts for the lower mounts.

So far I am pretty happy with my design.  Now lets see if it Works!