80 series shock question

[Extra300l]

Need some help. I have a 97 Lexus LX450 with a 2.5" Old Man Emu lift. I would like to put some Rancho 9000s adjustable shocks on the truck, but they only come in stock lengths. The question is, is there any harm in having a shock that is one inch shorter (extended length), than the recommended shocks? I understand it will limit my travel by approximately 1.25 inches, but I am fine with that.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Slomo]

1.25" shorter is not likely to cause any harm. The big damage issue is when you have a shock that is too long and the shock reaches full compression before your suspension reaches full compression on the bump stops. On a big hit you will cause catastrophic failure of the shock with destroyed internals and a bent shaft. Ask me how I know.
For the mild driving that it sounds like you do they will be fine. Just remember that the shocks a act as the limiter of suspension droop unless limit straps are installed, so if you like to drive fast and get the wheels light or off the ground a lot, you will over time put additional stresses on the shocks by hitting that limiting point of the shocks extension more frequently. Realistically it be almost the same as if you had identical shocks with the exact factory lengths.
I could be wrong, and I am sure someone will point it out if I am , IIRC Rancho doesn't make a set of shocks with the pin/pin and pin/cylindrical bushing for the 80 series. That means you would need to use a set of adapters and have to factor in the additional length of those (usually 2" each adapter) to your calculations.
It has been a while but I remember seeing a thread on exactly what you are proposing. A good search will likely yield all of the info you need.
Good luck.

 

[Extra300l]

Thank you very much for the response. That was helpful... I knew too long was not good for the reasons you mentioned. Rancho does apparently make a stock height shock in the RS9000 series, for the 80 series. It is about 1 inch shorter than my OME shocks I use with my 2.5 inch lift.. I am not a big fan of the OME shocks, they seem to wear out prematurely and are rigid. Thanks again.

 

[Delancy]

Have you considered a custom shock specific to your application?

 

[CA Cruisin]

Rancho update

Please keep us posted if you do install Rancho - I am thinking of them as well for my '96 stock LC because the OEMs are too bumpy on the crappy hatched-freeways of So. Cal.

Had Rancho 5000s on my 90 Toyota 4x4 Extra Cab in New Mexico and loved them on everything from steep winding mountain highways to rough & rugged horrid washboards. Many trucks would lose traction on those washboards but mine held pretty well. Excellent performance for over 200,000 miles of abuse! With only one replacement shock needed due to a cracked mount (failure) - which Rancho replaced for free, at about 150,000 miles.

Not bad service in my book!

 

[superstan26]

Need some help. I have a 97 Lexus LX450 with a 2.5" Old Man Emu lift. I would like to put some Rancho 9000s adjustable shocks on the truck, but they only come in stock lengths. The question is, is there any harm in having a shock that is one inch shorter (extended length), than the recommended shocks? I understand it will limit my travel by approximately 1.25 inches, but I am fine with that.

Thanks for the help.

Another option is to buy, or better yet fabricate shock extensions. They can easily be made using all thread, and a coupler. Just be careful not to go to long!

 

[Delancy]

Another option is to buy, or better yet fabricate shock extensions. They can easily be made using all thread, and a coupler. Just be careful not to go to long!

This is a complete and utter fail.

Having seen the stresses at the upper pins that shocks endure throughout the duration of the suspension cycle, there's no good that could come of this, unless you're good with the thought of a free port through the floor or gas tank, any other number of critical components that a hole in would make for a bad day wheeling.

 

[Delancy]

Can't reiterate this point enough.

Radflo can make any length for the 80 application, without custom cobbling, and well within a reasonable budgetary constraint for anyone that appreciates ride performance and quality components.

Glenn has recently introduced coil options for the rear of the Toyota IFS crowd using Eibachs, so if enough folks would express interest in a holistic approach in the 0-2.5" lift 80 crowd, without composing about a few hundred bucks it'll cost to do it right, I could see all the talk of custom going away, and a normal kit being made available, therefore economical.

 

[superstan26]

This is a complete and utter fail.

Having seen the stresses at the upper pins that shocks endure throughout the duration of the suspension cycle, there's no good that could come of this, unless you're good with the thought of a free port through the floor or gas tank, any other number of critical components that a hole in would make for a bad day wheeling.

Can't see shock extensions resulting in catastrophic failure if the length is correct. Shocks are not designed to be overextended, or over compressed that's why there are limiting straps, and bump stops.

If the shock length is correct the only force that the shaft will receive is from valving in which case the extenders are more than capable of absorbing.

This does not negate the fact that there are better options including custom shocks. However, I was addressing the O.P. in which the writer named a specific shock not offered in the desirable length.

 

[Delancy]

There are lateral forces on the pins and by extending the pin bolt beyond the shock body increases the force against the pin, since it'd be acting as a lever.

 

[Overland Tailor]

Another +1 for Radflo....

Very impressed with the ride quality, but whatever you do get shocks that are made for your intended application. As they have stated - Too Long or Too Short will eventually provide you with a good "Fail" thread!

Good luck and keep us posted on what you do...

 

[superstan26]

There are lateral forces on the pins and by extending the pin bolt beyond the shock body increases the force against the pin, since it'd be acting as a lever.

I understand lateral forces, as well as leverage. I do not deny that with added length there would be added strain in a lateral force scenario. I would also add that the additional force implied by such a short extension with such minimal angle would be insignificant especially since there are urethane bushings to absorb lateral force at the lower mount.

Also, for what it's worth I did a quick search for shock extension failure, and didn't find a single example. This doesn't mean that it couldn't happen, but if they were at high risk off failure there wouldn't likely be so many manufacturers.

 

[Delancy]

This doesn't mean that it couldn't happen, but if they were at high risk off failure there wouldn't likely be so many manufacturers.

I don't care enough to continue, but for your own purposes, find a supplier for the pin bolt extender that's geared to either an off road or 3/4 ton vehicle.

It happens, which is why there's no threads on how kick ass pin bolt extenders are, on Mud.

This doesn't look safe to me, but I'm no expert.




Sure appears this could easily result.



Anyhow, not beating a dead horse any further.

 

[superstan26]

Again, I'm not saying that extensions are the best option, but a viable option especially in a situation where someone has a specific shock in mind that doesn't "fit" their application.

As far as the images posted by delancy I would prefer seeing the extension at the bottom of the shock so that in the event of failure there would be less chance of hitting vitals. Also, the second delancy image testifies that the extension shown was stronger than the shock shaft which is reassuring.

Bottom line: the choice is to the individual, to determine what is best for them. All that we can do is offer information that would help them make a knowledgeable decision.

 

[Finnyfam60]

Can't reiterate this point enough.

Radflo can make any length for the 80 application, without custom cobbling, and well within a reasonable budgetary constraint for anyone that appreciates ride performance and quality components.

Glenn has recently introduced coil options for the rear of the Toyota IFS crowd using Eibachs, so if enough folks would express interest in a holistic approach in the 0-2.5" lift 80 crowd, without composing about a few hundred bucks it'll cost to do it right, I could see all the talk of custom going away, and a normal kit being made available, therefore economical.

Me!! 2.5" please!

 

[Qball]

I have Rancho 9000XL adjustable shocks and it's really quite nice, although for some reason most people bash on them as a cool thing of the 90s. But if you look at the 9000xl shocks they all the features of the premium shocks and adjustable. I think the best setting for fire road is 3 and street is 4 or 5.

I'm ordering TJM 50mm springs so I'm not losing too much travel with factory length shock. The Tiger shocks that comes with the TJM kits are old Rancho 9000 but not XL version......for someone reason everyone thinks they are ok but not ranchos.