New member here, but have a question. I recently had a TF 2.5" coil lift with Fox shocks installed on my 2dr JK. I love the new handling of the jeep over stock.

I have installed rock hard "patriot" bumpers and sliders - the rear bumper is the bumper and the tire carrier.

My question is, did my shop install the proper length shocks? The upper part of the shock (shock tube?) seems to be a bit long, the shock looks a bit compressed. There is not much of the chrome rod sticking out of the bottom of the shock. I have included a picture, any comments would be appreciated.

 

I am running a 2.5" lift and get about 5 inches of up-travel in the rear before hitting the bump stop and just before my shock bottoms out.

You look like you only have about 3 inches of up-travel left in your shocks just sitting there.

I would say wrong shocks or possibly, wrong coil springs.


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Darn, I was anticipating this bad news. I am also wondering if perhaps they used the shock adapters that came with the kit, when they shouldn't have.

I wonder if I can see from looking if in fact the adapter was installed?...

The coil spring has a number printed on them, I will go out at lunch and write it down.

 

There's absolutely no way to look at that picture and generate an answer. Post a picture of the jeep from a side view to see the space between the tire and the body/flare, post one of the bump stops in the rear, also find somewhere to flex the suspension in the rear and see if your bumpstop makes contact before the shock bottoms out. Even if they don't provide the uptravel you desire, they can be adjusted accordingly, and the travel can either be regained in droop or the upper mounting location can be moved up and your up-travel can be regained.

 

Also, remember, the main goal of lifts and suspension mods is to fit the largest travel shock (the longer the shock the longer the potential travel is) possible to maximize articulation at the wheels while still keeping your tires out of the body and your control arms/ driveshafts and such from binding.

 

Did you get the numbers from the shocks? You can quickly look them up to find the extended and collapsed lengths, and what size lift they are typically used for. Same for the coils. You could look up the numbers and verify that they are 2.5", maybe you got 1.5"?

Extra weight (heavy bumper/carrier/armor/etc) compresses the coils. How heavy is that combo? (guessing this isn't the problem, just throwing it out there since it possible that it is the correct shocks and you just lost height)

Check that the bumpstops are tall enough to keep the shocks from bottoming out.

Assuming that your shocks are compressed at ride height, they will let the axle droop further. Depending on actual lift height and shock length, it is possible that the coils could unseat and fall out. So when you run out and flex the suspension - keep an eye on them.

 

Thank you all for the input. I am learning a lot from your responses, and from reading more about the lifts on this site (and others).

I have not found the shock model numbers (the shop put them on and i don't have the shipping stuff that came with the shocks), so this may be difficult unless the numbers are stamped somewhere I can read them. I did locate what the numbers should be on the fox web site. I will also research the coil spring numbers, hint taken that google is my friend once I get those.

I do think the shop did a good job - I just like to personally verify things (I'm a bit obsessive compulsive). This is the 4th jeep I have owned, but the first I have lifted and modified, so I am a little extra motivated to verify things.

I have taken the pictures from the side, and underneath. It is hard to tell from the shots, but the bump stops are only about 2" off of the new lower bump stop that was installed by the shop. Seeing this and combining with the explanations seem to make sense.

I have to figure out a place to flex the suspension - I will work on that!... The bumpers are relatively heavy.

I had two goals for the lift. First was to get the suspension to ride better with the extra weight of the bumpers and sliders, second to fit a 33" tire/wheel combo. Combined weight of the rear bumper and tire I estimate to be about 200lbs (if not a little more).

I have not purchased the wheels and tires yet, just trying to be sure everything is ok with the lift and install before going to the next step.

Hearing about droop, I am slightly concerned about the length of the brake lines, they may be the next thing on the upgrade list before wheels and tires!.

 

That's lifted? Are you sure it's a 2.5" coil lift?

Edit: just saw the other comments...whoops. Yeah definitely check the coil spring part numbers

 

Looks good to me. You may have a little gap until your tire touches the fender now but when you put 33s on it should be more appropriate.

 

Find out from the shop what shocks did you get, if you got the 1.5-3.5" ones, you don't have to worry about brake lines, and from the pictures, it seems you already have brake line extension brackets, that would be more than enough. 1.5-3.5" fox 2.0 IFP shocks are 25" extended front, and 24.75" extended rear.