2.5" Rancho lift Ripping out Shock Absorbers

[MickeySpiers]

I have a 1991 4 door Explorer XLT that runs a 2.5 inch Rancho lift and RS 9000 shocks at each corner. I installed the lift about three years ago, and continue to have a problem with the front shock absorbers. The front shock absorbers will pull all the way thru the top mounting hole in the frame of the truck if I fully extend the suspension. This seems to only occur when I get both front wheels off the ground at the same time (jumping) as opposed to simply putting the truck off-camber (opposite wheels off the ground.) The nut is not coming loose, just the crappy plastic washer that is there is pulling thru the mounting hole, then bouncing on the coilspring. These are the shocks that were recomended for this liftkit, so I have to imagine they are the correct length, but I admit I have not measured yet. Should I have some sort of limiting strap to limit the amount of downward travel the suspension has? Is this a result of a poorly designed suspension? Is this a result of a poorly installed suspension? Any suggestions, or BTDT's would be much appreciated.

-Mickey

 

[Dryheat]

Shorty!

Your shocks are too short!!!!!!!

 

[dolomitez]

shocks

i have a 97 awd and just put trailmaster ssv's on it all around. we just returned from a baja trip and noticed the front shocks were blown out and totally loose. i have the standard 1.5 tt with warrior shackles on the rear for the lift. are these shocks to short as well? did you figure anything out with yours? any suggestions on shocks that will work with these mods? peas

 

[410Fortune]

You dont want shocks, brakelines, or steering to limit your travel. If they do you will eventually break them.

Limit straps, the correct shock, and some J hooks on the coil buckets would be a great idea here.....

 

[dolomitez]

i hear that....however, what are the correct shocks? it seems that nobody makes a shock long enough to work with these mods...

 

[410Fortune]

if they dont make the right shock then consider fabbing your own upper shock mount, you can use a F-250 shock mount and put it whaever height you want...search for this

 

[dolomitez]

nice...you da man thanks dog!

 

[dolomitez]

any ideas on a coil over shock absorber setup?

 

[Rhett]

Coil over conversion can be done to anything if ya got enough loot. Check the conversions or projects forums on that.

 

[dolomitez]

right!

 

[dolomitez]

right...and i don't. i would love to dumo the torsion bars and go coil over.

 

[MickeySpiers]

What Rancho told me was that the shock absorber is the limiting factor on that suspension. This is by design. The left (drivers) side axel is the heavy job with the gears, and has no limit of it's own. The right side has little weight so the spring actually limits it's travel. The shocks are the correct length, I measured everythign so that's not the problem. dolomitez, the Rancho shocks for a 1-2.5" lift, which is what I've got, will prolly work for you.

That said, I still rip out these stupid shocks, though I've doubled the washers on top of the shock at Rancho's recomendation. Every time I do I come home & call Rancho and they just send me another set of mounting bushings... A little poking around this last time shows that the washers they provide are barely larger than the mounting hole they are supposed to keep the shock from pulling through, so a trip to Home Depot is in my future for larger fender washers. I'm hoping that fixes it, but we'll see!!

-Mickey

 

[dolomitez]

thanks man. i actually just put on some explorer pro comp 3000s which can be ordered to accomodate a two inch lift. these are frekin bad!...very tight and on point. i would reccomend these for sure. and they are very affordable! i just ripped off the eddie bauer fender flares and had a custom rhino liner sprayed on the fenders and bottom bracket. bomb proof! i'll post some pics soon, thanks again for the insight. peas out