Shocks appear to be limiting my articulation???

[Positive Vibes]

I've been under the truck trying to fix my axle wrap and the problems caused by it.

Heres what I'm noticing, with the shocks disconnected the rear sags way down. I have had my drive shaft lenghtened already. So the question is would getting longer shocks help my articulation?? Or am I way off on my thinking? Any input is appreciated! Or any theories on getting more articulation in the rear.

 

[JDraper]

If you are finding that the rear end sags more when the shocks are disconnected, then yes, longer shocks would give you more articulation. I noticed on my X, that when I put in the Warrior shackles, the shocks were limiting my droop, so I put in 2.5" long shock extender blocks, and gained 2.5" in articulation.

 

[Positive Vibes]

JDraper: What are shock extender blocks? Where did you get them? How much? Never heard of them and I'm really curious now! This could be just what I need!

 

[JDraper]

I got mine from A&A Auto parts. Cost about $15 for a pair. They are an "H" Shaped aluminum block that goes in between your shock and the frame. Only problems are that the bolts they come with are crappy(I snapped one tightening it), so I bought grade 5 hardened bolts, and the fact that they don't increase the overall travel, they just allow the shock to extend farther at the expense of compression, but if you are running shackles or higher arch springs, that may not be a bad thing.

 

[Positive Vibes]

I'm SOA with about another 1.5" from a spacer and a added leaf spring for a total of 7". I don't see where could use a spacer??? Hmmm, back to the drawing board I guess?

 

[JDraper]

The shock extender is not for the springs, it just repositions the top of the shock lower so that your springs extend farther when they droop. If your shocks are what is limiting your down articulation, they will work.

Or just buy longer shocks

 

[Positive Vibes]

But with the 5.5" superlift. The shock mounts to a after market braket. In fact I will be welding these brackets to the axle soon to eleminate my axle wrap.

 

[JDraper]

These go between the top of the shock and the truck body where it mounts, not down on the axle. I think I have a pix of them at home. If not, I'll try to take one when I get home and post it.

 

[JDraper]

Pix. Kinda hard to get a camera in for a good shot, but you can see the "H" bracket between the shock and the mount point.

 

[JDraper]

Another...

 

[rydinhigh]

Did you notice an increase in your ride? Mine is very bouncy and bumpy after doing Shackles and AAL and I wonder if this would help.

 

[JDraper]

Didn't alter my ride in the slightest. Your AAL's are probably the cause of your change in ride. I have the Warrior shackles in, and they didn't alter the ride either because they don't alter the spring rate like the AAL's do.

 

[taxx]

Due to the placement of the shocks on the axle you actually would gain more than 2.5" (if your spring setup allows it) at the wheels since with one wheel up and the other down the inner parts of the axle are not traveling neer as far as the wheels.

Just something to think about....

 

[Positive Vibes]

JDraper: Thanks for the pics. Are there any cons to this??

 

[410Fortune]

You should measure for shocks after the lift/suspension is installed on a RTI ramp (or forklift, or whatever) with the sway bars disconnected and the shocks off the vehicle.

The travel should be limited by either limiting straps or the spring in a perfect world.

The rear leafs on an Ex will flex like crazy if the brake line(s) and shocks are measured properly.

Also you dont always need a longer shock to get the max travel, the mounting points can be changed, running the shock at an angle, meaning a 14" coilover can provide 18" of articulation if the coilover is mounted at the right angle...

In the front the coil spring can be used to limit your travel with the addition of some "J" hooks to retain the coil in the bucket.

If shocks limit the travel it is real easy to pull a shock apart and destroy it.

Currently my front brake lines (4" rubber Superlift) are getting stretched a little more than I would like at full droop, so I plan to re-locate them.

The rear e brake cables are currently limiting my rear travel, so they require attention as well.

IN a perfect world limiting straps will stop the droop just before the shock, spring, and brake lines (cables) are bottomed out, this applies to both front and rear.

The bump stops should stop the up travel (or air bumps for you dessert runner guys) just before the shock bottoms out as well.......

After installing a lift the shocks should be the LAST thing to go on, after the truck is measured.

Rancho and Bilstein both make shocks in all sort of lengths, compressed and extended, if you cant get an exact match then you can use shock extenders and spacers to make it perfect......or actually modify the shock mounts.

Shocks limiting droop or bottoming out on full compression is a bad thing, shocks get expensive

I literally pulled a Duff 3" 70/30 auto adjust apart when I installed my 4" Skyjacker leaf springs, I had to push the 8.8 down so far (With my foot) that the bottom of the shock actually seperated, so the next day I went and got my Rancho 9000's, some of the best $$$ I have spent on my truck, now it flexes like mad, the ride is supple (Read DUff shocks = way too stiff) and the shocks are no longer limiting travel......



Now what to do about those E brake cables...........can anyone say driveline brake for a BW 1354?

 

[Brandons]

my shocks at the back are 27" long, and have about 11" of travel, is this bad or good? i havent changed the shocks or anything with suspension yet, its stock.

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by Positive Vibes
JDraper: Thanks for the pics. Are there any cons to this??

I haven't had any problems with them yet. They have been on about 2 years or so, and I have used the truck both on and off road. Money well spent as far as I am concerned.

 

[Brandons]

i do think my shocks are whats restricting my front wheels droop though.

 

[Positive Vibes]

So I have a dilema. Buy new shocks or relocate. I've had these ranchos for about 5 years and i love them. I could mount the shocks to the old sway bar mount or just buy longer shocks????

 

[Hartman]

If the Ranchos are still good then I would just get the shock extenders that Jeff has. Seems to be an easy solution.