Installation of the SO-CAL Upper Shock Mounts is a straightforward project with minimum difficulty.
- STEP 1:
Identify driver (D) and passenger (P) side mounts.
See figure 1.
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- STEP 2:
Make sure all weight is in the car or that the final ride height has been mocked up before you start the installation.
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- STEP 3:
The lower shock mount must be in place and the axle caster must be correct before you begin.
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- STEP 4:
Install your shocks on the lower mounts and tighten.
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- STEP 5:
Install So-Cal upper hock mounts into the shock eyes and tighten the securing bolt. Note: The So-Cal Upper Shock Mounts use 5/8-internal diameter bushings which are provided. If your shocks do not have that size bushing, you will have to press them out and insert the So-Cal bushings.
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- STEP 6:
Place upper shock mount against the frame and adjust its height to center the bolt holes in the frame.
See figure 2.
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- STEP 7:
When you are satisfied with the location of the upper shock mount, mark the hole locations with a scribe or pencil and remove the shock and shock mount from the car.
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- STEP 8:
At this time, you have a choice in the installation process.
you may either use the provided bungs and weld them into the frame or simply drill 7/16- inch holes in the frame and bolt on the upper shock mounts using nuts and lock washers. You must have access to the backside of the frame to use this method.
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- STEP 9:
Weld-in method (recommended unless you have a painted, unboxed frame).
Using a 3/4-inch hole saw or drill bit, drill holes at the selected locations. Deburr and place the frame bung into the hole leaving about 1/8-inch sticking out and tack into place. See figure 3. Install upper shock mount to double check fit and location. Remove mount and weld if everything looks right. What you are looking for is shown in figure 4. When you paint this you can file the paint off the flat and the shock mount will be metal-to-metal with the frame, with no blown-off paint. Bolt on upper shock mount using antisieze.
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- STEP 10:
Install shock and check to see if it is in approximately mid travel. If the shock bottoms out during normal suspension travel, different shocks may be necessary.
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- STEP 11:
The final installation should look like figure 5.
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