Was just looking at some pics and wondering, when installing the shocks on the ROUGH COUNTRY 2.5 coil/shock lift, which way round do the shocks go on the rear????

the shock larger body at the top tucked away under the jeep body and the shaft at the bottom closer to the ground

or

the shock larger shock body at the bottom closer to the ground and the shaft at the top tucked away under the jeep body?

 

I've seen people run it both ways. My understanding is that running the shock with the body closer to the frame and the piston shaft closer to the axle is the way to go, but I'm not really sure that it makes a difference. Clearance, maybe? Only real thing I could think of...

 

From the install sheet, looks like the can is up under the tub

 

I dont see how it will make any difference either, but I guess if the exposed shaft is closedt to the ground it could be exposed to damage from rocks and other stuff. I have them mounted with the shock body at the top and the shafts closer to the ground but I think im going to switch them around to save on the damage

 

If it doesn't have an arrow that says this end up, doesn't seem like it would matter, especially with a gas shock. I'm with you though, I'd rather take a few hits to the can versus one hit to the rod.

 

exactly , im sure it would be sods law if i didnt swap it around the rod would get smashed next time i take it offroad.

 

Is it a gas shock or hydro? It matters. Personally I would put the can side down, there is a chamber around a shock that can take a hit and not effect the shock. If you so much as touch the shaft it will mare it and tear the seals then the shock is done.

 

Ive also seen it ran both ways, which is why i thought itd look cool to turn my Skyjacker hydro shcoks around from the shaft on top to where it would be on the bottom, it did look cool but it somehow messed with how the shock peformed and when i hit a dip or bump the rear would spring up and down, so i unbolted the bottom bolt and was easily able to push the shaft up into the reservior, so i turned them back around and they work just fine now, and there were no specific instructions on how to install them either. I guess some shocks like to be run one way or another.

 

Thanks for the pic, this is how I have them installed now.

Im still thinking to swap them around though as we get a lot of sand on the roads here and think it may act like sandblasting and cause pitting of the shaft and eventually lead to a leaky shock.


rmdchewie: not sure whether there gas or hydro, there the RC 2.2 shocks

 

If they are gas they will extend out by themselves when you compress them in which case you can mount them any way you want.
If they are Hydro they will not extend when compressed in wich case you need to mount the piston side up or they will not work properly.