New axle/shock mount on 1967 Caravel

[PA BAMBI II]

OK, we got the axle from Colin. It is pretty and the vertical style shock mount is welded on there. It never looked like the original to me...but he knows what he is doing.


Long story short, the Caravel owner's father-in-law is doing all the work, I am consulting and offering help where I can. I figured to make it idiot proof, we would order from Colin.


Please see the drawing. The top illustration shows that on the original axle, from center of the end of the axle to the center of the stud on the shock mount was 3". On the new axle, that distance is 8". Something seems fishy with a 5" difference. This throws the geometry off, we are guessing, thus some kind of reconfiguration will be necessary.


We bought the recommended shocks which match the originals exactly in compressed and extended length. We understood that new holes would have to be drilled to mount the new axle as the bracket is shorter than the original, but seriously...why is the shock mount length different?????

[overlander63]

Not sure from the drawing, but did you allow for the different angle of the new axle because it is still able to flex to its fully-unloaded position?

[VetteGuy]

Good morning fine sir! Do you recall the model and brand of shocks you use when you replaced you're old I have a 1966 caravel

[Action]

1966 was the first year of horizontal shocks.

If your shocks are more or less mounted horizontally (versus verticle) Airstream or an Airstream dealership is the only source. No one else is going to have them

Action

[Belegedhel]

This seems like a question you should be asking Colin. I am willing to assume he knows what he is doing, but (as far as I know), when you order an axle from him, he puts in an order to the factory, and they build to that spec, and ship it to you without Colin ever seeing what it looks like.

So sometimes something gets lost in communication, and sometimes humans just make mistakes (these shock mounts are being welded on by humans, after all).

good luck!

[VetteGuy]

My 1966 Caravel is a vertical shock system. They must have made the switch mid year I have the original Delco spiral shocks dated 1966.

I was able to cross the shocks to a 1964 to 1972 Chevrolet c10 to an exact match, fit, and travel height specs.

[Action]

I am in error. 1967 was the first year for horizontal shocks.

Action

[StreaminGuy]

Originally Posted by Action

I am in error. 1967 was the first year for horizontal shocks.

Action

As an fyi to anyone to doing job, for reference, my ‘67 Caravel with original axle has vertical shocks as well. Nearly straight up and down.
Thanks, G