This is the only configuration that Monroe accounts for. The picture shows the shock in static which is about ten degrees down. Under no load it would be 20 degrees below zero point. Note the pic of the naked spindle below. The axle is unloaded and is at zero degrees. When in static it will load about 12 degrees above zero. So things had to be modified.

This design is for the midrange of the shock's static size. The mounting bracket had to be sawed and rewelded. The stroke of the shock is not perfectly tangent to the arc of the dog bone/spindle but should be OK.

Suit yourself but after cutting I scarfed the mating edges before welding, beaded above the surfaces, and then snagged it down to flush. before adding a 1/8 plate on each side.

I placed the weld too far down and had to mill out a relief. The Monroe standoff is shown sitting on the right one.

welded a 3/4 washer over 5/8 hole in the frame

Be real careful on the starboard side. There are gas pipes there.

The first install was off alignment so added and subtracted washers to get it (almost) parallel to the frame.

Below is what I would do If I had it to do all over. If you leave no gap between the bolts and the dog bone this should work. The holes for the bolts need to be custom drilled on site because the dog bone forging varies in width almost 1/4" form one side to the other. This is a very clean and simple design.

Summing up

The Pro Engineer Hooks software could not be used because Dexter has "no idea" what the modulus of elasticity is for the elastomer they use and I am not about to go through testing .

The shocks... do they work? Have no idea. Somewhere along the way I need to test with something that will record high bounce over a bump... with the shock and without it. I have an old Starrett vibrometer I was going to use but it broke. Under no circumstance will I say anything about how it "feels". If I cant prove there is a difference I wont say that there is.

I have had lots of input and help from news groups and trailer clubs. Thanks so much to all of you. But I cant visit each group and post the same response to the same questions so it would be much easier if you leave questions in the discussion forum here, not at the forums or groups.

thanks

Ron

Addendum 06-03-07 just got back from 50 miles of rough roads and the shocks did not fall off! LOL.

I reduced tire pressure to 20 psi and drove 15-20 mph for the whole trip. No rivets popped and there was no more disarray than with the egg's contents than with the stock 14" marathons. It "seemed" smoother but that could just be autosuggestion on my part. Pumped tires back up to 50 psi for the asphalt ride home.

Note the area that had to be cut away in red. It is one leg of the 1/8" angle that sticks out at the axle/frame mount and interferes with the U bolts and such.. On a 20 degree down axle this maybe would not be a problem.