Extended Shocks

h8dviks · September 15, 2004

I am looking for some shocks to replace my OE shocks after i installed Green Keys and a 2" rear block. I have contacted every decent shock maker( Bilstein, KYB, Rancho, Monroe, Pro-Comp, Edelbrock) and none of them a shock for 2" lifted applications. They all go from OE replacement to 4"-6" lifts. Have any of you swapped shocks after doing the 2" lift? Thanks for the help.

02 2500avalanche · September 16, 2004

I am in the same boat as you. After installing green keys I blew out my front 2 shocks oil was seeping out of them. I have rancho 9000x's now and have had them for a while but the problem returned and oil is again blowing out of the front two shocks. I was looking at the edel brock extreme travel resevoir shocks for my next shocks but am up in the air as to which ones I should get, the ones for the 4-6 inch lift so I will have the extra travel or the ones made for stock.

Alex

Wingnut · September 16, 2004

Hmm...I put a set of Procomps on mine that were made for 0 to 3 inches of lift. Helped a LOT with the ride.

h8dviks · September 16, 2004

I contacted the Pro Comp Tech line and they told me they did not make a shock for the 2" lift application. The guy looked thru all his stock numbers trying to cross numbers and he didn't find anything that worked.

The problem with running a shock for 4" lifted vehicles is just the opposite of running one that is too short. If you runn one too long it will always be bottoming out on the other end and then you are back to square one!

I guess I could always just go with 275 tires , crank the bars less than an inch, and not have to worry about getting special shocks or making custom shock mounts. The difference in 275/75 and 285/75 tires is only .5 inch. I guess it would be worth giving up the extra .25 inch of ground clearance, gained by the tire difference, and not have to deal with blowing shocks or making shock mounts. If anyone else has any ideas feel free to fire away.

If a guy was to install the green keys and back the bolt out would the truck go up less than 2" from the factory ride or is the minimum lift with the green keys 2"?

c5hd · September 16, 2004

I contacted the Pro Comp Tech line and they told me they did not make a shock for the 2" lift application. The guy looked thru all his stock numbers trying to cross numbers and he didn't find anything that worked.

The problem with running a shock for 4" lifted vehicles is just the opposite of running one that is too short. If you runn one too long it will always be bottoming out on the other end and then you are back to square one!

I guess I could always just go with 275 tires , crank the bars less than an inch, and not have to worry about getting special shocks or making custom shock mounts. The difference in 275/75 and 285/75 tires is only .5 inch. I guess it would be worth giving up the extra .25 inch of ground clearance, gained by the tire difference, and not have to deal with blowing shocks or making shock mounts. If anyone else has any ideas feel free to fire away.

If a guy was to install the green keys and back the bolt out would the truck go up less than 2" from the factory ride or is the minimum lift with the green keys 2"?

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Yes on the green key lift. You can back the bolt out to get lest than 2". I'd estimate with addition of the keys, your lift range is 1" -3" inches. However, I have not tested/measured the limits with mine.

Bummer about the extended shocks. I rigged up some mount extensions for my ranchos, but I know it isn't ideal. I was looking for some 2" inch longer shocks as well. I suspect that although there may not be a specific shock for a 2" lift application, each shock model/manufucturer has different specs. It will likely take comparing the travel specs of each shock to find one that will work. It may only be a slight difference, but that is probably all that is needed.

Mighty HD · September 17, 2004

Which pro-comp shocks did you put on your truck?

Wingnut · September 17, 2004

Which pro-comp shocks did you put on your truck?

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Click here for my post on it, part numbers are towards the bottom of the post.

You really don't have to fabricate new shock mounts...You could just throw some shims on the top shock mount and shim it down around .5" to 1".

h8dviks · September 20, 2004

I went out and looked at doing the shim thing. I quess I must not be seeing how it could be done. If you have any pictures or drawings that would let me see the light please post them. It would be a great solution, i just don't see how it can be done. Thanks.

Always_Working · September 24, 2004

I went out and looked at doing the shim thing. I quess I must not be seeing how it could be done.

-I shimed both top and bottom for a few months now, gain 1", I try but couldn't get the photo upload here, if you want it, PM me so I can email them to you.

Wingnut · September 24, 2004

I went out and looked at doing the shim thing. I quess I must not be seeing how it could be done.

-I shimed both top and bottom for a few months now, gain 1", I try but couldn't get the photo upload here, if you want it, PM me so I can email them to you.

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Send the pic to me, I'll host it, and post it.

[email protected]

Always_Working · September 24, 2004

[send the pic to me, I'll host it, and post it.

-You got mail, and thanks for hosting.

-I raised the front about 4"with the green keys, the front control arm is still about 1/2" off the metal stopper on the frame, but I don't like the angle of the control arms are sitting, so I'm going the get the lift spindle to do it right.

Wingnut · September 24, 2004

Here you go.

h8dviks · September 24, 2004

Ahhhhh! I see now. I wasn't looking at the mount itself, i was only looking at the bolt that mounts the shock. Got to love pictures! What kind of metal did you use to fab the shims out of? Since you say you gained 1", I am assuming that you used 1/2" on top and 1/2" on bottom. Would it be possible/safe to use 3/4" shims on both sides to make up for almost all the lift? Do you remember the dimensions of the shim. If you say yours has been doing fine I would like to use the exact dimensions and materials as you did to avoid any problems. Thanks for the pics and input. If you guys have exhaust mods could you please check out my post on that and add some input on that subject also. Thanks again!

Always_Working · September 26, 2004

What kind of metal did you use to fab the shims out of? Since you say you gained 1", I am assuming that you used 1/2" on top and 1/2" on bottom. Would it be possible/safe to use 3/4" shims on both sides to make up for almost all the lift? Do you remember the dimensions of the shim.

-Correction, the aluminum bar stock I use is 3/8 thick, not 1/2", so top and bottom raise 3/4", why 3/8"? because I happen to have them in the garage and I was bored that day. I wouldn't shim the top too much because the threaded section is weaker then the solid section of the shaft, you can use thicker shim at the bottom, I got 2 pairs of longer new METRIC bolts to replace the original short bolts. This is only a temporary fix for my bottom out shork problem, I don't think's safe to go off-roading with it.

midnight8100 · October 7, 2004

Found a good deal on a set of Pro Comp ES3000 shocks plus a steering stablizer plus any boots (any color)

http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/packages/in...?ParentPacID=46

I ordered a set for my 2500HD yesterday, and sent an email to tech support asking if they had any a little longer than stock. I asked about part numbers 325509 and 314580 that Wingnut used. They called me today and said they showed those part numbers for 3-4" of lift?? However they did show a set that were 2" longer than stock so I asked them to send me those and we will see how that works out. I am about to install my green keys up front and 1" zero rate add a leaves out back so I can my 34" Wranglers full time -- see pics with TB's cranked only http://www.mcttrucks.com/torquemonster