2012JWSU

So what if you ran a 2.5" spring lift with shocks? Will you still need the exhaust spacers?

jkd3624

Thank you teraflex's for this response. This is what I was looking for. It's greatly appreciated.

TeraFlex

With 2.5" shocks no, with longer 3-4" shocks yes plus add a front drive shaft.

Invest2m4

It all comes down to the extended length of the shocks. At a certain point of axle droop, the driveshaft will contact the exhaust crossover. It takes quite a bit of droop. In addition, it is not all that likely that under normal use that contact would occur as usually one wheel is stuff while the other is extended.

So, to be clear, there are two potential issues with the stock driveshaft.

1. Lift height increases the operating angle under normal driving. The increased angle results in accelerated wear on the joint (rzeppa joint to be specific). Lots of people have driven tons of trouble free miles with 3.5"-4" lifts. Some are not so lucky, but either way, it is fine until the joint starts to fail and then you will want to replace it sooner than later, but not a huge deal.

2. Extended shock length. This is the most misunderstood topic with lift kits. I can sell you a 3" lift that does not increase suspension travel. Therefore, no concerns offroad. As you increase the extended length of the front shocks, the axle can droop further, eventually contacting the exhaust. So, it is not lift height in this case, but extended shock length/axle droop.

The easy solution is to run down to your local exhaust shop and have them add a couple inches to each side of the exhaust between the cats and the crossover. Don't use the crap exhaust spacers the lift companies like to sell. Aside from potential exhaust leaks, they also cause the crossover to drop down, which reduces ground clearance and interferes with some aftermarket skid plates. Also, they really are no cheaper than getting it done right at an exhaust shop.

Invest2m4

This is the type of info that creates confusion. What exactly is a 3"-4" shock? The front shocks I ran last year were 14" of travel and I had 2.5" of lift. The shocks I am running this year have 16" of travel and I have 4" of lift. So, are you saying that if I buy your 3"-4" shocks I will have 16" of shock travel? Obviously, I know the answer, but you see my point.

Why the reluctance to provide the information that people need and can actually use? I had to Google and go digging through your large brochure before finally finding your compressed and extended shock lengths - and even then it was not user friendly.

You could say "On 2012+ JKs, the maximum shock extension with a stock driveshaft is xx", and with an aftermarket it is xx."" And then follow up with the dimensions of your shocks. I could create a nice little chart for you in about 10 minutes if you send me the info.

I get that you want to create a bit of a mystery so that customers feel inclined to buy shocks from you, but on the public forums it would be more appropriate to just be straight forward about it. Same with your coils. I don't think I have ever seen figures for compressed and extended lengths on your coils

RubiKing

You must be an engineer.

Invest2m4

Not even close. Although, I guess I become one in my garage on the weekends.

I made the above point because too many companies like to list shocks by lift height. The joke is that they are all different dimensions. Why not just give the dimensions so people don't have to guess or post the question on forums (which happens all the time). Plus, it just plain confuses people - although, most people don't realize they understand something incorrectly.

Maertz

Agreed, it never takes into account tire size/fenders all affecting bump stop which would affect shocks length aswell as you know.

TeraFlex

TeraFlex Shock Specs:
2.5" fronts 24.5" ext 9.09" travel 15.41" compressed
2.5" rears 24.99" ext 9.36" travel 15.63" compressed
3"-4" fronts 26.880" ext 10.38" travel 16.50" compressed
3"-4" rears 28.08" ext 10.84" travel 17.25" compressed
6"+ fronts 30.92" ext 12.37" travel 18.55" compressed
6"+ rears 32.09" ext 12.84 travel 19.25" compressed

Invest2m4

Perfect. Can we get the coil specs too?