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Shocks limiting wheel travel?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jeep68v6, Nov 22, 2005.

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  1. Nov 22, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    This assumes a complete Jeep though, right? If he has the body off and all springs are at "full droop" or not compressed at all b/c of no weight, then wouldn't the shock just need to cover that distance?

    Or will the spring get pulled/pushed past full droop, so more travel is needed?
     
    Boyink, Nov 22, 2005
    #21
  2. Nov 22, 2005
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    Feb 4, 2005
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    I believe the confusion is that normally you would install the shocks with weight on the springs. In that case then yes you want them to be about the mid point of travel.

    With the suspension completely drooped you still want the shock to have a little bit of travel so they will not bottom out. So if you are short right now, you will still be short anytime the suspension goes to full droop.

    Just checkout my avatar. I am sitting on the skid plates and all 4 tires are just barely touching the ground. So it is possible to fully droop the suspension while driving.
     
    hudsonhawk, Nov 22, 2005
    #22
  3. Nov 22, 2005
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    Feb 4, 2005
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    Not really, just sittng there the weight of the axle and tire are not pulling downward like they would be say with one or more tires off the ground.
     
    hudsonhawk, Nov 22, 2005
    #23
  4. Nov 22, 2005
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    Shocks should never be the limiting factor for axle droop, this is why they make suspension straps (look at Baja trucks and such). If you are crawling over an obstacle and the suspension droops rather fast there goes your shock and spring pad. I would get the correct shocks or put limiting straps on them.
     
    Mcruff, Nov 22, 2005
    #24
  5. Nov 22, 2005
    tgregg

    tgregg Member

    Oak Hills, CA...
    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2005
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    529
    In the factory service manual it shows: front shocks fully extended 18 7/16 inches; rear fully extended 19 7/16 inches.
    Don't know if this will help you but it does show fronts and rears to be a different length.
     
    tgregg, Nov 22, 2005
    #25
  6. Nov 22, 2005
    jeep68v6

    jeep68v6 Member

    Midland, Texas
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Messages:
    63
    Thanks guys. What brand and model of shocks do you recommend for early cj5's? Should I order them for a slight lift?
     
    jeep68v6, Nov 22, 2005
    #26
  7. Nov 23, 2005
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    Jan 21, 2004
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    1,552
    Alot of the guys seem to like the RS 9000s.
    I like Heckethorn (Rough Country).
    0"-1" should do you.
    Any more than that and you will have the oppisite problem. Stuffing the shock at full compression will bend the shock or break a mount.
    Aint this fun. :D
     
    BlueFlu, Nov 23, 2005
    #27
  8. Nov 23, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    3,437
    Too short. Sell them on ebay.
    I agree with the travel of the shocks being at midpoint with the rig at rest sitting level. If you want Ranchos, get the 9000 series adjustable ones. Mine have settings 1-5; I like setting 1 for the trail, and 3 or 4 for the street. The current 9000s have settings 1-9.
    These aren't cheap. :rofl:

    Alot of guys are happy with some regular Monroes from Sears or elsewhere... for alot less $$ than Rancho 9000s. Just be sure to measure yours pin-to-pin after it's all back together... then select a shock that has that measurement at about halfway over its range of travel.
     
    lynn, Nov 23, 2005
    #28
  9. Nov 24, 2005
    jeep68v6

    jeep68v6 Member

    Midland, Texas
    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
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    So are the rancho rsx9000 worth 360 for 4, or is the difference that they will make not noticeable?
     
    jeep68v6, Nov 24, 2005
    #29
  10. Nov 24, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Really depends on what you're going to use your Jeep for. To me, the 9000's would really shine on the back if you sometimes load the Jeep with camping gear or whatever......
     
    Patrick, Nov 24, 2005
    #30
  11. Nov 29, 2005
    jeep68v6

    jeep68v6 Member

    Midland, Texas
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    Nov 15, 2005
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    Are the Heckethorne shocks good all around shocks? I like the look of ranchos but dont need to spend 400 bucks on the rs9000x and the ones I have,rs5000 are supposed to be to rough. What do ya'll think?
     
    jeep68v6, Nov 29, 2005
    #31
  12. Nov 29, 2005
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2004
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    1,552
    I've run them on two Jeeps and a Ram truck, been happy with all 3 sets.
     
    BlueFlu, Nov 29, 2005
    #32
  13. Nov 29, 2005
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    I like mine, they are not as stiff as my old rancho 5000's but they are still kinda stiff.
     
    Mcruff, Nov 29, 2005
    #33
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