Which shocks should i go with? Need help

[xsportx]

The point is that removed, you're suspension is allowed to truly work independently of the other side. Trust me, I've spent my share playing with this suspension. I had the sway bar removed for a couple months, replaced before going back to the trails based on my observations. You're welcome to crawl under yours and see why that might matter. I've also completely rebuilt my entire front suspension with all HD parts besides the LCAs. It's been on stands plenty.

I'll leave mine connected. Thanks for the concern though. I think I'm getting all I can out of this IFS. I'm not going to get into a pissing match about it. Do as you please. My recommendation is to leave it attached. Take it as you like.

I know how a sway bar works, and I too have replaced all the parts under my front end. And I also agree with you about leaving it attached to your truck, mine is stil on there and the closes i've been to having it off while driving is having a broken end link.

But.
My argument was NEVER about if you should leave your sway bar connected or not. It was about you saying that your swaybar limits the down travel of your front end.

Keep in mind that your sway bar won't allow stock length shocks to overextend, let alone ones intended for lift.

I believe that your shocks limit the down travel on your front end. I Know this for a fact on my truck, so unless someone puts on longer shocks then the shock should be the limiting factor for them as well.

 

[OffTrac]

I'm not talking about sitting in your driveway on jack stands checking full droop. I know the sway bar will allow full droop in that situation. I also understand that removing the shock may net you an extra infantile amount of droop in that situation. I'm talking about actually using it offroad. If one side is compressed, the sway bar limits the droop of the other side. I don't know about you but when I'm off road, I have yet to have both sides of the suspension at full droop. Sway bars limit articulation, so essentially limiting droop one side at a time. This is a completely different scenario than sitting on jack stands.

Removing the sway bar will allow excessive droop because it won't limit downtravel of the drooping wheel with the compression of the other. Then you end up with a broken CV. Regardless if the shock would allow more if removed, the sway bar is your limiting factor off road.

My shocks are stock length and if they were my limiting factor off road, I'm sure I'd have gone through some CVs already. Haven't broken one yet, knock on wood.

In short, on jack stands, yes, your shocks are the limiting factor when both wheels are at full droop. When off road, when your CVs are actually in use, the sway bar is the limiting factor.

Edit: I would like to amend my incorrect statement above. I have actually had both sides at full droop while off road. It's called high-centered.

 

[draven822k]

I have the rancho9000. I tried them on freeway and off road and i really like it how they work, but they are for stock.

 

[Dweeberman]

If possible, please take before and after pics of the REAR with a tape measure.

It would be very nice to settle this lift vs. no lift "debate" once and for all.

:ttiwwp:

Ok so I installed the Monroe's on my ex...though i did not take before and after pics..i did take the after pic...and of course no pictures of the measuring tape. I will say, these shocks did give me a 1 1/4 inch lift in the rear. I went from 38.5in to 39.75in after the install. All i can say is the shocks feel SOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN STOCK! lol. Below is a picture. Also, the shocks helped my leafs not looks so pathetic and flat. I took it for quite a few drives over the weekend (i installed them friday night) and just smile everytime i go over speed bumps or curbs..no more squeaky bounce lol

 

[GRNMACHINE]

WoW I am really starting to want a set of those! Dweeber, what shocks are u running up front?

 

[dersch6221992]

well i just put my order in for my new shocks!! i ordered the monroe sensa trac for the rear, and i went with the rs5000 series for the front, i did go with the lifted ones the rs5374... the reason being? on their website it had it lifted for 1.5-2.5 inchs of lift. and like offtrac said the suspension limits itself so i dont have to worry about ripping anything apart because of longer shocks. Plus i will be doing a 2" body lift eventually and with new 33s coming soon it felt like the right choice. i paid $91.00 shipped for rear, and $101 shipped for the front. i will be putting these on either thursday or friday the 27/28 when i go home to my dads heated garage!

 

[Sogsnakebite]

looks good man glad they worked out for you

 

[dersch6221992]

looks good man glad they worked out for you

thanks for all the help! i will be posting some pics

 

[Sogsnakebite]

awesome cant wait to see it

 

[Dweeberman]

WoW I am really starting to want a set of those! Dweeber, what shocks are u running up front?

Funny that you ask, because i just received these in the mail yesterday when i got home from work (RS5374)...same ones dersch6221992 has ordered :

Weather dependent, I might put them on today or Friday evening.

 

[dersch6221992]

you putting boots on or no? let me know if they give you any lift up front and we can compare

 

[Dweeberman]

you putting boots on or no? let me know if they give you any lift up front and we can compare

Though i contemplated not putting the boots on...i think i will. I was originally going to keep all silver and black, so the red boot would not coincide too well (I almost bought the 9000's..just too expensive for me right now)...but i can't justify buying new boots when these will work perfectly. My buddy told me to not put them on, so it could be like his ride.....but I will be putting them on. No harm in taking extra precaution. An yea, I will measure before and after and let you know. I need to find a place around here i can do a little flexing to see what i have, to what i will get after the new shocks. Though probably nothing with my luck

 

[dersch6221992]

sounds good man. hmmm i wonder i wonder i wonder how much spray paint i could put on those (green of course) and get them to look green... they look like they may not take a light color very well. although i got the green to show up fairly well on my emblems. maybe hit with grey and then hit with green or do you think itd just fall off and look like poo?
hmm didnt think about a flex shot! i shall try and do that also

 

[Dweeberman]

You know if my truck were green, or at least had something to go with a green theme, i would definitely give it a shot..being an Oakland Raider fan, my truck just so happened to be a perfect fit, silver and black...but sadly i will have a 49er red on it...might not go well with the Raider crew lol.

They are pretty smooth, so i dont know how well the paint would stick..but they are somewhat hidden in there so if it fails, not too many people would know

 

[dersch6221992]

i should have been more clear i have a lime green theme going, unless you were referencing given it a whirl for me hehe jk jk. but i think for now i will just get them installed (when they come)... let me know how your install goes any tips or tricks. my buddy is helping me hes an ex mechanic sorta haha

 

[Dweeberman]

For sure will do! I know the rear shocks started off a pain in the rear...took me about 45 minutes for one side...then 2 minutes for the other lol. I had some difficulty getting the bottom shock mount to line up perfectly and i was unable to jack the truck high enough to get it in there. Plus all i had was a hydraulic jack and no jackstands..i ended up just jacking the shock up on the left side (the first side) then the right side became a breeze. Tools needed, 10mm up to 15mm sockets (excluding 11mm)...and some WD40 No one bolt/nut combo was the same size lol.

 

[dersch6221992]

sounds awesome lol. thankfully i will have a few jacks and jack stands and a bunch of tools at my disposal

 

[dersch6221992]

so i just decided i am running no boots. read some threads and im going bootless!

 

[Dweeberman]

do you have a quick link to one? Not quite sure how to search for that. I did a generic "Boot" search...but yea that pulls up a lot lol

 

[dersch6221992]

the one i did was shock boots yes or no. and the first one that came up was shock boots off or on it was a poll.... basically it was pretty split. it seemed like some people said keep them on because itll keep rocks from denting the piston rod (very valid point) but being where im from especially the shock boots while still having drain holes and no matter how you do it everyone said they has atleast a 1/2" of dirt, sand, water, mud etc. sitting in the shock boot which obviously will take the life of the piston down and cause the seal to fail... so either way there is a chance. but the way i see it the shock piston is tucked up pretty far so it shouldnt be a big deal with rocks. and id rather not have the water and salt in mine kiling the life. therefore i decided no shock boot