Shock question

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

What would be a good set of shocks to help with traction?
My truck is non zq8 and still has the stock shocks i am sure.
Thanks!

[Mikz86TA]

Something stiffer. You could go with some adjustables. Not a cure but probably would help

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Yea i thought it would just help also. But wasnt sure as of what to get and what would work well.

[lilblue91]

rancho has adjustable shocks

[87wildside]

IMO the shock won't help.
Look at it this way. The pivot point of axle wrap is the axle. Shocks are almost mounted on that same plane. The axle rotates around that center line. Stiffening the center point won't help.
You have to stiffen up between the center of the spring and the front mounting point.
Again my opinion, stiffer = less traction. The less the wheel can react to changes the more traction will suffer.

[87wildside]

Search axle wrap on the web or look at post 14 in this thread.
http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17336

[Mikz86TA]

I think it would aid just like the way the hopshock does on so-equipped models. But even that HS doesnt cure it. Plus the angle of the shocks arent optimum to fix the issue. So while tighter shocks may suppress the violent actions of wheel hop, its def not a cure.
The 550s arent a cure either but do increase your payload while helping out on the wheelhop.
Trac bars are in the future for me.
I still have those leaf clamps lying around. But they are no cure either. And they are cheaper to buy locally (AutoZone for about $20) than I could sell and ship them.

[87wildside]

Mike, The hop shock would do more because it runs from the centerline to the front mounting point. It would damp the twist of the axle.

[Mikz86TA]

Yep. Still its kinda weak. Thats why one time I thought of buying an adjustable shock to replace it and be able to tighten it up.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Crap!!! It doesnt sound promising. Eric what leaf springs would be the best? I have the z85's stock. It almost sounds like if i want to be able to hook up and do well i would have to put it back to stock height.... I def like the way it looks now, sans the tire size i chose. They are only tires and will need to be replaced.
How about tenau cover with weight over the rear?

[87wildside]

Can you weld or will your buds help you? If so then look at post 6.

Z85's or not the Hellwigs will help with the twist.

I could look up sh*t but in the end it will cost more then the hellwigs etc.

Ask your buds to help while referencing that post.

What is it, ex cab short bed?

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

I cant weld and off the top of my head i think one friend does have a welder. Not sure how good he is at it tho.
Yes i have an extend cab short bed.

[87wildside]

You know Big Ryan.......hook a brother up?

Seriously, I'll work it out...he welds it. Unless he wants to do both.

I just know you know him. Not trying to commit him to nothing.\

Wished you lived closer so I could experiment. I'll win....guarantee that.
I'm not talking sh*t. Tje more you have to offer the more I learn.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

I havent met big ryan yet but will be soon i am sure.
Why does he weld? Or good at this kind of stuff?

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Sounds good to me!!! I am def interested in gettin the truck to hook!!!
Hopefully i can leave it lowered? How would those bars mount to the frame? I looked at the links and saw like a huge plate welded on there. Would that be it?

[hero dave]

what about plain ol' traction bars?

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Dont have the clearance due to my truck being lowered

[12sws27]

Plus they hang below the "scrub line".

[hero dave]

I know mine is a 1st gen. dropped 4 inches alll around and I don't have a problem unless it a "tall" speed bump. is there that much difference between 1st and 2nd gens?

[SCredneck]

Traditional traction bars mount below the leaf springs, so...let's assume you lowered your truck 4" using blocks, your leaf springs are now 4" CLOSER to the pavement than stock. Now try put a 3 - 4" thick traction under the springs and see how often it gets hung up.

On a lowered truck, you have 2 issue compounding each other (even moreso than on a stock height truck) when trying to hook up for a good launch.

First, if you lowered using blocks, those blocks have given the axle much more additional leverage with which to twist the spring than it had when the spring was bolted directly against the axle. (Think of the difference between using a plain old ratchet and socket to bust a bolt loosed vs. using a pipe slipped over that ratchet as a cheater.) When you installed 4" lowering blocks, you handed your axle a 4" cheater bar to twist the springs with.

Second, depending upon just how much the truck has been lowered, traditional trac bars will be impossible due to lack of clearance between the springs and the pavement. So you would have to find a solution that either A) mount above the the spring or B) needs less clearance.

I have no firsthand experience with either, but have heard a lot of good things about Cal-Tracs and Slide-a-links.

Anyone have any thoughts on using a Mopar-style pinion snubber?

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

So i was thinking.... You say the block are a problem. I was wondering if i got a set of the zq8 leafs and a 1" block.
What would or might be the difference? Might it help my problem?
I am thinkin about doin some cal-tracs. A buddie told me of a guy on s10forum that makes the kits and sells them to where i put them together to a degree. I dont have much more info about that yet.
Ideas???

[12sws27]

http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13359

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Traction bars dont work for our app. I didnt think they would.
Sucks you had to go through all that crap to find that out...

[Danzcameo]

My two cents- keep a soft spring and go with a firm shock!
Springs hold up the trucks weight and the shocks help keep the tire on the pavement. soft spring-better weight transfer. maybe remove rear swaybar
for trial? maybe less binding! just thinking.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

Its an idea!!! I can give that a try. Takin the rear bar off.