triangular v. standard mounted shocks
 

Reading through the specs of the Taco im in the process of buying, there are Rancho shocks on the rear that can be mounted the "regular" way or "triangular". what exactly does this mean? thanks!

regular, the shocks are vertical, angled, the upper mounts are moved to the center of the truck so the shocks make an upside down V. Supposedly, this helps the rear flex better, but requires much longer shocks.

if you mount the same shocks either way, will the rear end get lowered by mounting them triangular-ly?

no. the /\ mounting makes it possible to get more flex out of a shorter length shock. however, it doesn't dampen as well. this is how the shocks on '79-83 pickups are setup.

Actually, you can get by with using a SHORTER shock because you can get more travel out of the same length shock by mounting it this way


I have my shocks setup this way

http://www.toyotaoffroad.net/afertig...hockmounts.htm

Doesn't make sense to me - distance is longer at an angle than straight. For example, in your pic, it looks like the shock would barely/not fit if it were mounted vertical.

if you took a shock that was "perfect" mounted the standard way and mounted it triangular, it would either pull the rear axle up (or rather the rear end down) or would pull the shock out to a further position in it's "resting" state, correct? if thats the case, you could mount the same shocks that way but since it'd be pulled out further, would you have less negative travel (aka, axle AWAY from body)?

which way is recommended as I have brackets to mount them either way?

Shocks, in general, don't do any pushing or pulling. they dampen

The /\ setup allows for more travel than the shock has. In the factory location the shock is the limiting factor, usually. In the /\ the spring is limitng. I have /\ and RS9012's, over 13" of travel. I only use about 9 of them. I have never fully collapsed them or extended them even though I get about 19" of travel at each wheel.

They work since the pumpkin moves the least, so make one end one the shock in the middle and it doesnt take as much movement.

As far as not being as good of a shock absorber due to angles, I dont agree. Probally on heavier rigs, or rigs with cheap shocks, but in a rig as light as a toyota I didnt notice a problem. I also run a decent shock, and can adjust the setting.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...d/P1010055.jpg

ah thanks, that cleared up a lot and seeing the pic helped. i'll be getting them moutned the standard way but may switch them over to triangular to see what kind of a difference i notice. thanks again

Unless you wheel it a bunch I would stick with the stock set-up, better suited for street use.

ah thanks