i curently have a 3.5" coil lift which gave me 4" or more and want to get bilsteins or rancho adjustables what is the proper way to measure for shocks?
i ask because i really dont know the exact lift height and want my shocks to do their job on and off road and dont want them too short or too long...
thanx for any input on this subject and any explanations on the pluses and minuses on using longer shocks...
thanx

 

hmm, nothing huh ?

 

No help here but I'll bump it up for you. Sometimes you can post and get immediate answers and other times it takes quite a while. I would be interested in this also.

 

I too would like to know this info.

Bumpty Bump

 

OK I'll give it a shot since I'm currently re-doing my JK rear set up. I've got OME Long travels all around but this example only deals with the rear. These shocks have an un compressed length of 28". As they are now on my rig they are at 24". They have a total travel of 11.5" (ie Max 28" Min 16.5"). So my up travel available is 7.5" (24"-16.5") and my available droop is 4" (28"-24"). My bump stop/bumper distance is 6" so as it now sits I don't need any increase in bump stop height ( up-travel can be 7.5" bump stop/bumper is 6" so I'll get to my bump stop before I get to the top of the piston travel in the shock). I'm installing the ORE Rockstars that move the rear lower mount up 2". OK so now I've got these numbers. As it sits shock length of 22" (24" - the 2" from the Rockstars).. So up-travel is now 5.5" (22"-16.5) and droop is 6" (28"-22"). Now my rear bump stops are too short (total stuff is 5.5" but the bumper/bump stop is 6" so I'll get to the top of the shock before I get to the bump stop). Need to add a minimum of 1/2" and in reality a bit more. Really nothing more than measuring, knowing the stats of the shock and basic math.

 

1) Take shocks off.


2) Compress axle until bump stop hits the pad and is compressed.

• Measure the distance from top to bottom mounting points. Subtract 1/2 an inch for bump stop compression.
• This is the minimum compressed (collapsed) shock length. It can be increased by increasing the size of he bump stops.

3) Uncompress the axle.

• Measure the distance from top to bottom mounting points.
• This is the minimum uncompressed (extended) shock length

(Now you need to be able to drop the axle.)

4) Drop the axle until one you see you either see the load come off the springs, or it will not drop any more.


(If the springs become unloaded. Buy spring retainers and limiting straps.)

• Again measure the distance from top to bottom mounting points.
• This is the maximum uncompressed (extended) shock length. (Not really a maximum)

Ideally you want shocks that match your minimum and can extend beyond you maximum lengths.

You could just call the company that made your lift and ask them. But you may or may not get an answer. (I tried this with Full Traction they never answered me)

 

Wow , i guess i got what i wanted i just need to read and re-read to make sense of it all and get under the jk and get to measuring. Thanx for the detailed explanation.

 

OR..... go to the website for th emaker of your springs and they probably will tell you what you need