OK, working on my 1949 3600. It has lever shocks on it, so after I install my updated rear end I want to install normal shocks. Due to the outboard leaf springs looks like it would be easiest to mount some between the frame rails with a cross member similar to the picture below. What is the science behind the placement? What angle is optimal? I plan to order shocks according to the travel amount I have. I know I saw a chart somewhere. Any advice??
I have seen shocks in many different setups from the factory. A shock's main job is just to dampen the spring so the vehicle doesn't bounce. Grab a set of lower spring plates from the junkyard that have shock bolts on them. I prefer the ones with both mounts to the same direction. You can set them up to the rear, then many shocks come with an upper mount bolt. Drill these through the frame and bolt them up. Use a slightly inward tilted set up. Make shure the shock never bottoms or tops out in your set up.
Next time you go to a show or swap meet find a 50-53 and take a peek under it. The frame is the same as 47-49 but uses tube type shocks. I'd bet Joe from Dead Zone could fix you up with the factory tube shock top and bottom mounting brackets.
Go here post # 12. https://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=17679 we were discussing shock angles.
