Cantilever shock mount

strange1

strange1

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Joined
Mar 31, 2005
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Elkin
Does a cantilever system affect the shocks performance? Is there a specific type of shock to use, or to avoid? Does the ratio of the arm affect anything other than travel?

Not trying to build a super crazy beast of a suspension, just trying to be different and keep my shocks under the bed.
 
The cantilever setup acts like a lever against the shock therefore giving the suspension a mechanical advantage against the shock reducing its effective rate that is if I understand correctly its similar to running a shock at extreme angles a shock ran at a 45 degree angle has half of its effectivness but basically double its stroke I hope this helps
 
If both levers from the pivot are the same length the there is no mechanical difference to the shock. That only comes into play if the arms are different lengths. However you need to be sure the shock you choose can be mounted horizontally, some gas charged shocks are supposed to be mounted with a certain end up.

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U are correct wizard I should have explained the lever ratio in more depth but I assumed he is attempting to run the cantilever with a short stroke shock to gain travel I also forgot about the gas shock info
 
Not really looking to gain travel from a shorter shock, just wanting to keep them under the bed. So, it sounds like I need to keep it as close to a 1:1 ratio as possible. I'm guessing the bilsteins I have won't work since they have "this end up" stamped on them.
 
You don't have to keep it 1:1, just understand that if you change the ratio it will change the stroke of the shock, and affect its dampening. If the shock side of the lever is shorter, the stroke of the shock will be shorter than suspension travel by the lever ratio, also the shock will have less dampening ability by the same ratio, in simple terms. The opposite is also true in this case.

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Yes. A 1:1 ratio would be equal to mounting the shock at a 90 degree angle to the axle. I guessing 2:1 would be about the same as angling the shock inboard about 45 degrees (as a lot of people do to get more travel). I would think that between 1:1 and 1.5:1 would be a good working ratio for getting the most out of the shock. Now I need to look at the space I have, see what I can fit.
 
I've done this before. Keep in mind that 1:1 with a 12-14" travel shock will require a VERY large bellcrank. 2:1 or even as much as 3:1 is really the only practical way to do it but you will need some pretty impressive valving in the shock. Make it 2:1 and run two 7" travel shocks on each bellcrank to achieve 14" travel with more correct dampening.
 
strange1 said:
Does a cantilever system affect the shocks performance? Is there a specific type of shock to use, or to avoid? Does the ratio of the arm affect anything other than travel?

Not trying to build a super crazy beast of a suspension, just trying to be different and keep my shocks under the bed.
Click to expand...

You would need a remote res or piggy back tunable shock.
 
MarsFab said:
Keep in mind that 1:1 with a 12-14" travel shock will require a VERY large bellcrank.
Click to expand...

I think this is probably gonna be the reason I don't do this.
 
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