Shock Question
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JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 569
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From: Tallahassee, FL
Shock Question
I have a JKU with a 4" Rough Country lift and I'm finally getting rid of my POS shocks. Wondering if I should get 3.5" shocks to account for possible sag in the springs or just stick with the 4" shocks. Thanks
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 569
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From: Tallahassee, FL
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 719
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From: Lakeland, Florida
Hee hee
Some of the answers above made me giggle a bit. 
First, shock length is determined by springs. On the Jeep, axle down-travel is only limited by shock length. If your shocks are too short you won't get full down-travel. If your shocks are too long your springs will pop out of position and you will have a very bad day.
Second, when using longer shocks, you have to be mindful that shocks can bottom-out or reach their minimum up-travel length if not for bump-stops. Usually, when you go to a lift and larger tires you add a spacer to the bump-stop pads to prevent fender rubbing during wheel stuff (maximum spring compression). The extra bump-stop limit is usually enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out. Bottoming out shocks will usually only damage the shocks but sometimes if they tear loose they can damage other things.
I would check with Rough Country for a list of acceptable shocks from different manufacturers.
BTW - I love my Rancho RS9000XL adjustables.
First, shock length is determined by springs. On the Jeep, axle down-travel is only limited by shock length. If your shocks are too short you won't get full down-travel. If your shocks are too long your springs will pop out of position and you will have a very bad day.
Second, when using longer shocks, you have to be mindful that shocks can bottom-out or reach their minimum up-travel length if not for bump-stops. Usually, when you go to a lift and larger tires you add a spacer to the bump-stop pads to prevent fender rubbing during wheel stuff (maximum spring compression). The extra bump-stop limit is usually enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out. Bottoming out shocks will usually only damage the shocks but sometimes if they tear loose they can damage other things.
I would check with Rough Country for a list of acceptable shocks from different manufacturers.
BTW - I love my Rancho RS9000XL adjustables.
Last edited by Sahara Lee; Oct 4, 2013 at 09:10 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Some of the answers above made me giggle a bit. First, shock length is determined by springs. On the Jeep, axle down-travel is only limited by shock length. If your shocks are too short you won't get full down-travel. If your shocks are too long your springs will pop out of position and you will have a very bad day. Second, when using longer shocks, you have to be mindful that shocks can bottom-out or reach their minimum up-travel length if not for bump-stops. Usually, when you go to a lift and larger tires you add a spacer to the bump-stop pads to prevent fender rubbing during wheel stuff (maximum spring compression). The extra bump-stop limit is usually enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out. Bottoming out shocks will usually only damage the shocks but sometimes if they tear loose they can damage other things. I would check with Rough Country for a list of acceptable shocks from different manufacturers. BTW - I love my Rancho RS9000XL adjustables.
First, shock length is determined by springs. On the Jeep, axle down-travel is only limited by shock length. If your shocks are too short you won't get full down-travel. If your shocks are too long your springs will pop out of position and you will have a very bad day. Second, when using longer shocks, you have to be mindful that shocks can bottom-out or reach their minimum up-travel length if not for bump-stops. Usually, when you go to a lift and larger tires you add a spacer to the bump-stop pads to prevent fender rubbing during wheel stuff (maximum spring compression). The extra bump-stop limit is usually enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out. Bottoming out shocks will usually only damage the shocks but sometimes if they tear loose they can damage other things. I would check with Rough Country for a list of acceptable shocks from different manufacturers. BTW - I love my Rancho RS9000XL adjustables. Don't tread on me.
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JK Enthusiast
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Talking to a person that had several shocks he said fox rode worse than the RC and Bil 5100 were about the same ride on road but better off road. Knowing that I think I'm getting Rancho 9000 so I can choose my ride when my ride quality. RC said they fixed the sagging. That was last year so I'm not sure when that took place. No scientific studys here just one persons opinion.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,440
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From: CT
Some of the answers above made me giggle a bit. First, shock length is determined by springs. On the Jeep, axle down-travel is only limited by shock length. If your shocks are too short you won't get full down-travel. If your shocks are too long your springs will pop out of position and you will have a very bad day. Second, when using longer shocks, you have to be mindful that shocks can bottom-out or reach their minimum up-travel length if not for bump-stops. Usually, when you go to a lift and larger tires you add a spacer to the bump-stop pads to prevent fender rubbing during wheel stuff (maximum spring compression). The extra bump-stop limit is usually enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out. Bottoming out shocks will usually only damage the shocks but sometimes if they tear loose they can damage other things. I would check with Rough Country for a list of acceptable shocks from different manufacturers. BTW - I love my Rancho RS9000XL adjustables.
First, shock length is determined by springs. On the Jeep, axle down-travel is only limited by shock length. If your shocks are too short you won't get full down-travel. If your shocks are too long your springs will pop out of position and you will have a very bad day. Second, when using longer shocks, you have to be mindful that shocks can bottom-out or reach their minimum up-travel length if not for bump-stops. Usually, when you go to a lift and larger tires you add a spacer to the bump-stop pads to prevent fender rubbing during wheel stuff (maximum spring compression). The extra bump-stop limit is usually enough to prevent the shocks from bottoming out. Bottoming out shocks will usually only damage the shocks but sometimes if they tear loose they can damage other things. I would check with Rough Country for a list of acceptable shocks from different manufacturers. BTW - I love my Rancho RS9000XL adjustables. As long as he's lifted using coils he could run a 12" travel shock. Obviously need to take precautions. Proper bumpstop length, coil retainers, longer brake lines. Most important, protecting the front driveshaft from contacting the exhaust crossover(limit straps)
But what I said was correct (just not detailed -sorry)
For example. (And I love the 9000's btw) Rancho list a 4" short and 4" long arm shock which confuses a lot of people.
The 29xl and 30xl shocks are about a 9.6 front and 9.9 travel shock. Generally recommended for lifts around 2.5"
The 31xl and 32xl are about a 1" longer at 10.7 and 10.5
Both their 4" shocks can be used at 2.5.
My point ... You should know what your shock specs are and don't always go by what they list for lift heights. I know TF keeps there front 2.5" shorter to protect the DS. This might not be what someone wants.
Funny though ... I did type using Rancho as an example but deleted
