Rear lower shock mount relocation

[OffKamber]

I keep braking my rear shock mounts. Had them raised a bit recently and broke one again in Baja 2 days ago...

I don't really follow too many IG people but heard that some people have relocated their shock mounts. I'm hoping those people beat on their 4Runners and have had success with their relocated mounts. If anyone knows someone that has done this well, can you please give me their info?

Also, if anyone has had success in getting dual shock setup in their rear, would appreciate that info as well!. THANKS!

 

[Jetboy]

I have not relocated mine - but my suggestion would be to move them further outboard. The original design relies on the tire and wheel to protect them. And it works really well - if you have OEM wheels without spacers. Once you move the wheel away from the mount they become pretty exposed. So moving that mount in relation to the wheel would probably be the right solution without having to shorten the shock stroke or relocate the top mount higher and cut into the cab.

It would be really hard to damage the shock mount here:

But they're pretty exposed here:

The other solution I've thought about is some form of skid that would be part of the lower control arm to protect the shock mount. That's how they do it in the ME for Dakar Rally vehicles. This is not an IRS - it's a specialty set of skids built for desert racing on a Land Cruiser 200. I'd probably go with something a lot less extreme, but a small skid could be built for the same functionality that wouldn't weigh too much, allows you to keep the OEM shock mounts, and protect them from the high speed rocks.

 

[rdruss]

I'd say you want to change the mounting design from the present stud/bolt to a similar arrangement as front, a bracket that the mount slides into and a bolt that goes through each side of bracket and the lower shock mount with nut to secure.

 

[Crikeymike]

I keep braking my rear shock mounts. Had them raised a bit recently and broke one again in Baja 2 days ago...

I don't really follow too many IG people but heard that some people have relocated their shock mounts. I'm hoping those people beat on their 4Runners and have had success with their relocated mounts. If anyone knows someone that has done this well, can you please give me their info?

Also, if anyone has had success in getting dual shock setup in their rear, would appreciate that info as well!. THANKS!

What shocks are you running? Maybe if they're just heim joint type mounts with no bushings, it's causing too much stress on the mounts, since it's all going rigid.

 

[dezertbomber]

I keep braking my rear shock mounts. Had them raised a bit recently and broke one again in Baja 2 days ago...

I don't really follow too many IG people but heard that some people have relocated their shock mounts. I'm hoping those people beat on their 4Runners and have had success with their relocated mounts. If anyone knows someone that has done this well, can you please give me their info?

Also, if anyone has had success in getting dual shock setup in their rear, would appreciate that info as well!. THANKS!

How are they breaking? Ripping off from the rapid cycling? Or being smashed by rocks at high speed?

If from the rapid cycling, then gusseting from the sides and maybe around the back side of the housing tubes should help. Also, ensure your bumps are stopping the up travel before the shocks do (would prob find your shocks are damaged pretty quickly tho), and maybe you need limit straps since the shocks are typically the droop limiter and therefore pushing down and pulling up the mounts, which we know what that does to metal.

If from bashing into rocks, then something in front to deflect the impact would be necessary.

Does the Marlin Crawler crew have anything for this area?