What type?

[74tojo]

What type of Shock do you all recommend using on a 5.5" net Sprung under 40

I was looking at the rancho 9000xl series but couldn't tell if they make a shock long enough for our 40's.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[FF LC FREAK]

I have Bilstein 5125s. They work great. I also hear Doetch Tech makes a pretty good shock. No personal experience with those, though. I'm pretty sure the Rancho 9000s come in a length that will work. Others have posted up using them. Flex out your suspension and figure out what length you need then call the manufacturer of your choice and give them the numbers. They'll tell you which shock you need.

Good luck!

 

[camcruiser13]

i run whatever is cheap at the time.

 

[psreno]

I didn't like the DT's, or the Rancho 5000 series, too rigid - every piece of pea gravel launched me into the roof and the rattles deafened me. I prefer the el cheapo gabriels to either of the prementioned although the travel might be hard to find but at least I can hear the stereo.

I do like the Rancho 9000 series so I can adjust from above characteristics to so much sway you can get seasick.

 

[74tojo]

Thanks for the feed back guys.

I'm not to sure how to measure the shocks the "correct" way.

Do you measure your rig from mount to mount at full droop and then again at full stuff? I know that will tell me how much travel I have but how do I turn that into what size I need?

Thanks again,

Jason

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Basically, you need to find your compressed and extended length for both the front and the rear. You can do this with a forklift or a jack.

1. Take your current shocks off and lift a front tire off the ground until it compresses the suspension completely.
2. Measure your eye to eye distance. This is your compressed length
3. Lift the frame until your tire comes off the ground.
4. Measure eye to eye distance. This is your extended length.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the rear.
6. Take those measurements and call a shock dealer. They will tell you which shock will work best. Remember, you don't want your shocks bottoming out, so don't get a shock that has the exact same extended and compressed length you need. Make it an inch or so shorter on the compressed and an inch or so longer on the extended length.
7. Search online or at your local parts store for the best deal.

It is really pretty easy. You just want to make sure you don't have anything limiting the compression or extension of your suspension (i.e. shocks, brake lines, etc.)

Good luck!

 

[TLCHopII]

My .o2

I am in agreement with most of steps above with one caveat.
Is it not preferable to stuff two tires at the same time? What I mean by this is to, as an example lift to full compression height the passenger side front and driver's side rear at the same time? Lift each until they are to fully compressed and the opposite end of the axle is at full droop. This would seem to be a more accurate method of establishing the full extent of travel for both front and rear suspension.

In my limited experience, when checking flex. at one tire at a time (with a forklift) the number of inches of travel is well under what the same rig will do on the trail! It is possible that by adding an inch or so to the extension and subtracting an inch or so from the compression figures this difference is mitigated.

Just curious what the the opinions would be on this.

 

[TLCHopII]

The preffered shocks round these parts (best bang for the buck) for a light to moderately modified rig are the Procomp MX6's.

 

[74tojo]

awesome help guys!!!

I'll use the forklift at work tomorrow or Friday to check it out.

Thanks again!!!


Jason

 

[TLCHopII]

Better to use two forklifts at the same time.

A little story to go with: My friends heavily modified 4runner just received new suspension. It had been flexed (naturally, front end) to 35". With one forklift it flexed to 29". With two forklifts, the front went to 36" and the rear to 25". This allowed us to dial in the bump stops and discovered that his shocks were "just right".