Silverback Shock Mounts

[BigJohnD]

On our 2014 Silverback, the axles already have the plates / mounts for shocks. Anybody ever notice that, or installed shocks on a Silverback? Just wondering where / how the shock attaches to the I-beam frame. I've seen kits, but have never see one actually on an I-beam frame. Bolt on, weld on? Anybody have experience on that? Just figuring if the plates are already there on the axles, it might be an easy upgrade provided mounting the frame portion isn't a big deal.

[MIFarmer]

I can't prove it, but I seem to remember reading about the shocks coming off from the factory when the rubber-dampened equilizers showed up.

I've only pulled mine the 40 miles home from the dealership, but I couldn't get over how smooth it rode along the frost heaved roads without any bounce. You seeing something different?

[AquaMan]

Installed the complete kit on mine last week. The upper brackets on my Lippert kit, were bolt on. Drill 4 holes, drive in self threading bolts, install shocks. Piece of cake. Of course I had to also install the lower bracket. Took about 3hrs start to finish, without power tools (except cordless drill).

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Installed the complete kit on mine last week. The upper brackets on my Lippert kit, were bolt on. Drill 4 holes, drive in self threading bolts, install shocks. Piece of cake. Of course I had to also install the lower bracket. Took about 3hrs start to finish, without power tools (except cordless drill).

What was the price of these?

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

[BigJohnD]

There's really nothing wrong with how it rides now. Just one of those things, if the plates are already there on the axles, which is the worst part of installing shocks, then why not just finish the job. If it's no more than drilling a few holes to mount the uppers, I'm probably going to go ahead and do it.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

What was the price of these?

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

The kits were $120 each (1 kit per axle), and included 2 shocks, 2 upper mounts, 2 axle mounts, U-Bolts, and hardware. My Sierra also has the equa-flex suspension, which will smooth the road some, but I'm looking for a bigger improvement from the shocks. Do be aware of holding tanks before you drill! I have a gray galley tank directly against the frame I-beam. It now has 4 holes in the side, plugged with silicone and self-threading bolts.

[ependydad]

Can you take pictures (with pretty circles, preferably) that show what these plates are?

[BigJohnD]

Hoping somebody else can for now as I'm at work for a couple of more weeks. I might can talk my wife into crawling under there and snapping a few photos though.

[AquaMan]

Here's a pic of the Lippert mounts

[AquaMan]

The bottom (axle) plate is basically just a wider than stock plate, with angled sides and a hole to mount the shock.

[BigJohnD]

Thanks for those pictures AquaMan. Definitely clears up how the upper bracket mounts. The axle plates is pretty much what mine has on it from the factory. Too bad I can't get just the shocks and uppers.

Was there a template on position of the upper mounts, measurements stating X" from center of axle, or is it just eyeball, hit and miss?

[AquaMan]

There is a YouTube video that shows the install. I kinda followed that for the first one, then eyeballed the rest. Street side of my Sierra has a big slide over the axles, so dodging the slide mechanics was a little more challenging.

[BigJohnD]

Ok, I'll check that out. Thanks for the warning of the tanks. I don't THINK I have any tanks right there, but I will definitely pull the underbelly to check first. I shouldn't have to dodge any of the running gear on the slides since the axles are almost centered on that slide out. I'm not home to look at it so all I can do is think and guess right now.

[AquaMan]

The biggest thing with my slide, was the rotating pinion bar that spans the whole width of the slide along the frame rail.

[BigJohnD]

Ohhhhh. Yep, forgot about that. Will see when I get home. Got any pictures from the side showing upper mounts in relation to the bar?

[OldCoot]

Those that put the shocks on will notice a BIG difference in towing of the trailer in the truck and also how the trailer contents and trailer ride itself. The trailer will not "buck" the truck like is inherent in all 5ers.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Ohhhhh. Yep, forgot about that. Will see when I get home. Got any pictures from the side showing upper mounts in relation to the bar?

I would walk out and get some, but it's raining, and I'm feeling a little wimpy. I basically put the shock on a 45 degree angle and mounted the plate as high as I could without interfering with the bar as it rotates. not as much vertical travel on the shock as the other side, but should still do the trick. One trick in the video they mention was to "aim" the shock away from the center pivot, as this is where the most movement occurs. Makes sense.

[BigJohnD]

I understand. Ok, I watched the youtube video. They show mounting them with the suspension unloaded. That's probably not going to happen in my case unless I use the level up to pick it up as much as possible. Did you mount yours with the weight on the axles? If so, how much do you, if any, compress the shock before marking and drilling the upper bracket?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

I understand. Ok, I watched the youtube video. They show mounting them with the suspension unloaded. That's probably not going to happen in my case unless I use the level up to pick it up as much as possible. Did you mount yours with the weight on the axles? If so, how much do you, if any, compress the shock before marking and drilling the upper bracket?

Good rule of thumb is, with the load on, find the 1/2 way point on the shock travel and mark the holes.

[BigJohnD]

OC, so basically shock half way compressed? Compress all the way, make mark, scope all the way out, make mark, then find half way point, mark, and mount shock at that point?