Shocks with overlapping ranges

[annihil8ted]

Hello All!

How would you pick between two adjustable hydraulic shocks with overlapping ranges assuming all other things with the exception of length being the same?

I'm looking at 2 sets of shocks where one is for 1-3 inch and the other is 3-4.5. My LJ is only going to be lifted to 3 inches.

Here are the specs for the following two shocks:

1 - 3 inch

• Item Length (Extended): 23.54"(Front), 21.42"(Rear)
• Item Length (Collapsed): 14.60"(Front), 13.86"(Rear)
• Travel Length: 8.94"(Front), 7.56"(Rear)
• Shock Rod Diameter: 0.71"
• Piston Diameter: 1.42"
• Tube Diameter: 2.28"

3 - 4.5 inch

• Item Length (Extended): 25.11"(Front), 23.38"(Rear)
• Item Length (Collapsed): 15.39"(Front), 14.84"(Rear)
• Travel Length: 9.72"(Front), 8.54"(Rear)
• Shock Rod Diameter: 0.71"
• Piston Diameter: 1.42"
• Tube Diameter: 2.28"

I'm leaning towards the 3 - 4.5 because to me it seems like the shock has more travel but my experience is limited. I think my concern with 3-4.5 and the benefit of 1-3 is if I sag or load heavy

 

[AaronPaul]

Hello All!

How would you pick between two adjustable hydraulic shocks with overlapping ranges assuming all other things with the exception of length being the same?

I'm looking at 2 sets of shocks where one is for 1-3 inch and the other is 3-4.5. My LJ is only going to be lifted to 3 inches.

Here are the specs for the following two shocks:

1 - 3 inch

• Item Length (Extended): 23.54"(Front), 21.42"(Rear)
• Item Length (Collapsed): 14.60"(Front), 13.86"(Rear)
• Travel Length: 8.94"(Front), 7.56"(Rear)
• Shock Rod Diameter: 0.71"
• Piston Diameter: 1.42"
• Tube Diameter: 2.28"

3 - 4.5 inch

• Item Length (Extended): 25.11"(Front), 23.38"(Rear)
• Item Length (Collapsed): 15.39"(Front), 14.84"(Rear)
• Travel Length: 9.72"(Front), 8.54"(Rear)
• Shock Rod Diameter: 0.71"
• Piston Diameter: 1.42"
• Tube Diameter: 2.28"

I'm leaning towards the 3 - 4.5 because to me it seems like the shock has more travel but my experience is limited. I think my concern with 3-4.5 and the benefit of 1-3 is if I sag or load heavy

If your Jeep always sits at 3” of lift, the 1–3” shocks are probably the better option for proper bump stop alignment and ride quality.

If you prioritize maximum articulation and have the clearance for the extra compressed length, the 3–4.5” shocks could work, but you’d need to check bump stop spacing carefully.

Given that you’re concerned about sagging or loading heavy, I’d lean toward the 1–3” shocks to ensure they perform well under varying conditions. But that's just my opinion.

 

[jjvw]

You ignore the manufacturer's lift recommendations and you select the shock that creates roughly 50/50 travel at the Jeep's normal ride height.

 

[Rickyd]

You don't choose shocks by lift range. You choose them by their compressed and extended length so that it is in the middle of its travel at ride height.

Get the wrong shocks and you'll have less downtravel (limited extension) or less uptravel (excessive compressed length)

3" is harder to get shocks for. They tend to be sized for 2" or 4"+.

Put the springs in first to find out what height you wind up with and go from there.

Its frustrating that you can't buy a lift that always gives x lift height or shocks for x lift that fit. Look at shock length threads and build threads to get an idea of what works

 

[annihil8ted]

Put the springs in first to find out what height you wind up with and go from there.

That is definitely the right way to do it but hypothetically, if it was a perfect 3", given the specs, what would you go for?

 

[jjvw]

That is definitely the right way to do it but hypothetically, if it was a perfect 3", given the specs, what would you go for?

You go for the shock that results in roughly 50/50 travel from the normal ride height.

 

[Rickyd]

That is definitely the right way to do it but hypothetically, if it was a perfect 3", given the specs, what would you go for?

I would go out to my jeep with a tape measure and jack up the frame until I had spring heights of 15" front and 11" rear.

Measure between the shock mounts and use that to go find shocks with a midpoint matching that number as closely as I can.

Both your choices look like losers to me

 

[mrblaine]

That is definitely the right way to do it but hypothetically, if it was a perfect 3", given the specs, what would you go for?

Hypothetically, I would pick the one that gives me the closest to 50/50 bias as possible, hypothetically.

 

[annihil8ted]

You ignore the manufacturer's lift recommendations and you select the shock that creates roughly 50/50 travel at the Jeep's normal ride height.

Oops sorry missed this but in that case, that's the distance where the rear shock ends connect to right? Even at an ideal 3" of spring lift, we then would measure the connecting distance and see if it lands in the middle of the travel range of the shock because that distance could still vary


Thanks y'all and bearing with me, I get what needs to be done now

 

[annihil8ted]

So I got a chance and was able to swap in a set of 3 inch springs. In the back, I'm measuring a 11inch which seems to be an ideal 3 inch lift from the stock 3 inch. I've also measured a sitting shock distance of about 20 inch.

While install, I did get a chance to flex the rear. I know I probably didn't flex 100% correct but maybe this will still provide some date?

With the spring installed and sway bar disconnected, I jacked one side all the way up. The side that was in the air, right before the spring popped out, measured 25 inch in terms of shock length.

With no spring install and sway bar disconnected, I jacked one side all the way up. The side that was compressed, measured a shock length of about 14 with the bump stops I installed.

Does that mean in terms of flex for my rear, I'm getting 25 extended, 14 compressed and sitting at 20? Feels like that range is a little too big but not sure as this is my first time

I should also mention I kept the sway bar disconnected in the front but the springs in

 

[Marklar1983]

I would go out to my jeep with a tape measure and jack up the frame until I had spring heights of 15" front and 11" rear.

Measure between the shock mounts and use that to go find shocks with a midpoint matching that number as closely as I can.

Both your choices look like losers to me

Why jack the frame to a specific height? Wouldn’t it be better to measure from the neutral height of the springs?

 

[Rickyd]

Why jack the frame to a specific height? Wouldn’t it be better to measure from the neutral height of the springs?

He asked about a hypothetical 3" lift. I was suggesting how I'd get to that 3"