What's the difference between a shock mounted with the shaft pointing up and then down like normal??? I've always been confused on this

 

When they are flipped they give a better ride but they also don't last as long as they would if mounted the right way I believe

 

Shocks are built and valved for a certain direction I'd look for other motives besides flipping them

 

Very true plus i dont think its possible to flip em on the jk cuz of they way they are bolted on...

 

The only shocks I'm aware that can be flipped are FOX or any type of "Air" shock. When I used to wrench on Race machines I worked with Fox a lot on valving and such

 

Only shocks that are designed and valved to be flipped can be. You will find all twin tube shocks are mounted with the body at the bottom and most gas filled mono tube stocks the bodies are at the top. They flip them because the valving controls the rebound better and provides a smoother ride with a mono tube shock. That is really the simplest reason they do it.

 

Also depends on the valve stack. If a shock is flipped and rebound seems better, make sure your compression aspects of the shock isn't lacking. Why not just get shock revalved for the rebound a person is looking for.

 

Why wouldn't any monotube pressurized shock work the same in either orientation?

No time at work.

 

What do you mean "hold for question"???

 

Actually the beauty of the monotube shocks is that they "I believe" can be mounted either way, however the valving inside usually determines which way they are mounted. Meaning if the shock is designed to be mounted body at the top they will put the valves in so that when the shock compresses a certain amount of oil and or gas is let by at a specified time to control its shock absorption and rebound. The valves in a shock are one way actuated so if you flip it upside down it will not work properly, ride terrible, and most likely ruin the shock. If you flip it when it was designed to work the other way you just spent a lot of wasted cash on shocks. A lot of monotube shocks will even have two pistons instead of one and each has a certain number of valves stacked on it to react a certain way in certain situations kind of like having a bypass race shock but in a single tube design. There is a great write up on shocks and how they work in the current issue of offroad adventures mag. Jim Allen describes each type of shock and how it works, a great read There was so much info I can't even remember it all.