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01-18-2021, 08:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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DIY Shocks Project Pinnacle
I am going to put shocks on my Pinnacle. Have not found any kits I like. I decided to make my own brackets and find a shock to work with them.
Will try to document the project.
It starts with a sketch. Not the best sketch. But I can follow it.
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01-18-2021, 08:52 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Scaled drawing. Layout on kitchen table. Worked on it for 2 days. Before the wife moved me to the garage.
Found a Rancho truck shock that should work well with the length and travel.
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01-18-2021, 09:01 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Bracket fabrication
Attaching 2 trailer width cross frame rails with 2 cross members.
Mounting the shocks a bit inboard.
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01-18-2021, 09:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Lower shock mount.
Initially fabricated lower shock mount with the intention of welding onto the axle.
Was worried about the welding slightly changing the axle metal properties or shape change.
Reworked lower mount. Lower mount will now attach with a large u-bolts.
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01-18-2021, 10:34 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Spring
Posts: 928
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Nice work on the brackets.
__________________
2016 Starcraft AR One 18QB
2016 Colorado LT 3.6L V6 Ext. Cab
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01-18-2021, 11:52 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Newark, NY
Posts: 15,927
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That's quite a project. Keep us up on your progress, and I hope it all goes according to plan.
Oh, nice shop, too!
__________________
Moderator
Think you're too old to cry or swear out loud...walk into your hitch in the dark.
2012 Jay Flight 19RD
2016 Ford F150 XLT 2X4 SC 3.5L Eco Max Tow
2010 Tundra TRD DBL Cab (Traded)
2 new fluffy Corgis, Bayley and Stanley
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02-05-2021, 11:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Brackets are back from powder coating.
Plan to install tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed, hope everything fits.
Was going to install solar panels this weekend. Worried it is to cold for Dicor application. Will move to another weekend.
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02-05-2021, 11:58 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Lakewood, WA.
Posts: 4,540
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Wow, that is some good work there keep us posted.
__________________
2023 Jayco North Point 310RLTS
2022 GMC Denali Ultimate DRW
Retired Army MSG
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02-06-2021, 08:37 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Mounted the upper cross members and shock mounts.
A bit of a challenge with mounting to the 2X2 square tube. Ended up welding a nut to a thick washer and then welding that to a 1.5x5 flat plate. Slide that into the 2x2 square tube.
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02-06-2021, 08:55 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Mounted the upper cross members and shock mounts.
A bit of a challenge with mounting to the 2X2 square tube. Ended up welding a nut to a thick washer and then welding that to a 1.5x5 flat plate. Slide that into the 2x2 square tube.
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02-07-2021, 07:05 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 149
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Nice looking work---
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02-08-2021, 09:31 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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Installed the lower mounts and shocks.
After I put a few miles on the 5th wheel, I will put 4 short welds on the lower brackets. Attaching the brackets to the axles. Will still use the u-bolts. Just to ensure no long term bracket rotation.
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02-09-2021, 09:53 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Natalbany Creek Campground, Amite City, LA
Posts: 3,244
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Why did you attach the shock directly to the axle? Seems like that would be a lot of stress on the axle. Most kits attach the lower bracket to the U bolts.
__________________
AL & JANET KRUEBBE
2019 PINNACLE 37RLWS
2018 NORTH POINT 315RLTS (TRADED)
2017 RAM 3500 DRW DIESEL/AISIN 4.10 AIR BAGS
B&W COMPANION TURN OVER BALL HITCH
Formerly from Sequim, WA
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02-09-2021, 10:24 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Spring
Posts: 928
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Did you have a bad ride that made the shock addition necessary?
__________________
2016 Starcraft AR One 18QB
2016 Colorado LT 3.6L V6 Ext. Cab
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02-09-2021, 06:36 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Hudson
Posts: 224
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The Roadmaster kit is a good setup. I would recommend everyone use some type of shock kit. Shocks improve the ride. Reduce damage to the items inside the 5th wheel. Extend the life of all suspension components.
I enjoy fabrication. My goal was to improve the shock geometry, strengthen the mounts, and use a longer shock. The force will have no negative effect on the axle.
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02-09-2021, 08:03 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Port Huron, Mi
Posts: 1,737
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RDTC, you got WAY too much time on your hands! Nice job on it though!! Good call.on the powder coating. I prefer powder coating and have a local guy that does a TON of it and has done a lot for me. Keep us posted on the maiden voyage results.
__________________
2017 North Point 375BHFS
2015 Silverado 3500HD Crew Dually Dmax 4x4
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02-09-2021, 08:14 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Magnolia
Posts: 4,841
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RDTC
Keep up the great work! Wish I had the tools, shop, skills to do such an ambitious mod. Looking great
__________________
2016 North Point 377 RLBH, with a few mods, disc brakes, shocks, Sailun g rated tires, wet bolts
2014 Ford F350 Platinum sold
2017 Ford F350 Lariat, CC, 6.7PSD, DRW, Trailer Saver BD3 hitch
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