Shock Length

[JeeperG]

Whats the correct way to determine shock lengths?

I am going to spring the YJ back over and be running 2" springs but I may remove one leaf out of each pack while doing it. Should I just guess or should I spring it back over and measure from eye center to eye center?

Here is how HUGE it was with the supposed 2" springs, I swear they are more like 4" or something?

 

[waynehartwig]

Looks like you have 29's on there or something!

...I'd get it where you like it, then measure the eyes at full droop and compressed. Do it right or you might end up buying another set of shocks later.....

...I'd probably take it out and flex the crap out of it, maybe the springs will settle a bit, too...

 

[JeeperG]

Looks like you have 29's on there or something!

Yeah go figure that was with 33's and was sitting at the legal limit.
The springs are as settled as they are gonna be
35's sprung under kinda rubs my front fenders a bit.

 

[bobmed]

If you went from spring under to spring over the thickness of the springs ads some to does'nt it?

 

[JeeperG]

If you went from spring under to spring over the thickness of the springs ads some to does'nt it?

Uhhh I guess but not much, there is also spring perch height and shackles.

 

[Bud]

Measure at vehicle ride height the distance between the fixed shock mounts. Subtract five inches and you will have a compressed shock length that you need to find. In Rancho, a 5012 was the one I used to use in the front and a 5010 in the rear...but you have to buy/make an adapter to eliminate the top post needed in the front. Or just cut off the loop on the end and weld on a 3/8" bolt that is the same length as the shock you have on it. You can use the stock shock bushings for your new top-posts!

Your suspension height will come down about an inch after proper break-in time.

 

[Badger]

he has had the suspension for some time and has been running it.i guess he just wants a height change by flipping it back under.

as said above measure the vehicle at rest and subtract the amount you want or need for up travel and that will give you your compressed measurement

 

[bobmed]

I was just wondering because I need to drop a couple of inches to get the frame height down to pass inspection and my front springs are already pretty flat.

 

[jdub]

I was just wondering because I need to drop a couple of inches to get the frame height down to pass inspection and my front springs are already pretty flat.

I always have liked the idea that rubber was an easier way to lift a rig. In this case couldn't you do the same to lower it?

 

[jdub]

The height they measure is form the floor pans right? My brother had to replace his floor pans in his CJ so he lowered them about 2 inches which accomplished 3 things: Height, Leg room, and no more Fred Flinstone.

 

[waynehartwig]

I think it's the lowest part of the frame, under the drivers door/center... Maybe someone can verify that.... My Rubicon with 5.5" (actually closer to 6") passed on frame height with about 2"? to spare....if I remember correctly....

 

[JeeperG]

but you have to buy/make an adapter to eliminate the top post needed in the front.

Yeah I already have the adapters. I was sprung over and sprung it back under now I wanna go back to spring over, I liked how it ran with the spring over better I just changed springs and was too tall and also I think the shocks may have been maxing out at full droop.

 

[JeeperG]

I think it's the lowest part of the frame, under the drivers door/center... Maybe someone can verify that....

Correct, the lowest portion of the frame, in the first pics I posted I was at the legal limit exactly with 33 inch rubber. I had a thread a while back about why are my springs so f-ing tall, Bradens old rig was on I believe 37's? about the same spring height and was way lower then mine, Thats why I wanna see what happens if I remove one leaf out of each pack (there is only 4 leafs) and see if that lowers it to my liking.

Also what the going Rate on Doetsch Techs now? I ran them before and liked them.

 

[JeeperG]

Another dumb question

Does mounting your shocks one way or the other matter? For example with the shaft pointing up or down?

 

[Badger]

yes.

depending on the type will determine whether it can be run upside down or not.hell most shocks even have an operation angle.mean that the shock will only perform if its sitting at the correct angle.to much angle will effect operation .

 

[waynehartwig]

Also what the going Rate on Doetsch Techs now? I ran them before and liked them.

I sell DT3000's for $136 a set.

 

[waynehartwig]

Correct, the lowest portion of the frame, in the first pics I posted I was at the legal limit exactly with 33 inch rubber. I had a thread a while back about why are my springs so f-ing tall, Bradens old rig was on I believe 37's? about the same spring height and was way lower then mine, Thats why I wanna see what happens if I remove one leaf out of each pack (there is only 4 leafs) and see if that lowers it to my liking.

Be careful with removing one leaf, some manufactures figure in all leafes into the design and taking one out could cause the others to fail early. But it kind of looks like anyway you go, you are going to need new spring packs, so it's definately worth a try.

 

[JeeperG]

I sell DT3000's for $136 a set.

Set of four or two?

 

[JeeperG]

Be careful with removing one leaf, some manufactures figure in all leafes into the design and taking one out could cause the others to fail early. But it kind of looks like anyway you go, you are going to need new spring packs, so it's definately worth a try.

004200 BDS springs, I swear they are more than 2" though

 

[waynehartwig]

Set of four or two?

Four! Oh, and plus shipping