CJ5 Shock/Lift Question?

[jzak]

Hey Guys!,

My name is Josh. I just purchased my second CJ5 . Having a great time with it.

The only problem i've got is the shocks needs replacing, and I don't know what the lift height is on my vehicle. I'm pretty sure it's either 3 or 4 inches.

Would a 3 inch lift Shock work on a 4 inch lift, or Vice Versa???

Thanks for any help you guys can give me!!

Josh

 

[Peanut Butter]

Measure the length of the shock at standard ride height and again at full articulation. Call a good shock dealer or manufacturer. They should be able to provide you with something that will work. You'll also need the mount type on both ends of the shock when you call. Rod

 

[GatorBate]

Here is a chart that I put together when I was lifting my CJ5 . I then measured my shock mounts with suspension fully compress and fully extended, then went to the chart and found a shock that fit.View attachment Shocks.pdf

 

[IOPort51]

this is a great PDF thanks!

 

[IOPort51]

Measure from the bump stop to the axle and add 1/2" to find the upward travel, this will help to find a acceptable collapsed length, be sure you hit the bump stop before you bottom the shocks out and bend or break the bottom shock mount. Downward travel is what ever is left over.

If you have 15" between top and bottom shock mounts and the bump stop is 5" away from the top of the axle a shock that is 11" long when collapsed will bottom out before the axle hits the stop.

Just as a rule of thump: the bump stop is 1" above the axle on a stock suspension so if you measure 5" + it indicates you have a 4" lift. give or take a bit, age, shackles and bushing conditions will have at least a small effect.

As you can see it isn't quite level anymore. These were the shocks that came with the lift.

 

[jzak]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback! Haven't had a chance to implement your suggestions yet, but i'm hoping to get on it this weekend. I think GatorBate's posted PDF is going to be really helpful.

One follow up question. I've heard from other forum posts that if you buy a shock that is too short for the lift kit, it can completely destroy the shock. What about the opposite? Lets say I bought a shock meant for a 4 inch lift, but I installed it on a 2 inch lift truck. Would I damage or decrease the performance of the shock?

Thanks again for all the help!

Josh

 

[IOPort51]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback! Haven't had a chance to implement your suggestions yet, but i'm hoping to get on it this weekend. I think GatorBate's posted PDF is going to be really helpful.

One follow up question. I've heard from other forum posts that if you buy a shock that is too short for the lift kit, it can completely destroy the shock. What about the opposite? Lets say I bought a shock meant for a 4 inch lift, but I installed it on a 2 inch lift truck. Would I damage or decrease the performance of the shock?

Thanks again for all the help!

Josh

yes

don't buy shocks for the lift, buy shocks for the travel you have.

At very best the shock has 8 or 9 inches of travel in the total shock stroke , make sure that you have the travel where you can use it.

 

[GatorBate]

One follow up question. I've heard from other forum posts that if you buy a shock that is too short for the lift kit, it can completely destroy the shock. What about the opposite? Lets say I bought a shock meant for a 4 inch lift, but I installed it on a 2 inch lift truck. Would I damage or decrease the performance of the shock?

Yes, it will damage the shock. You cannot use your shocks as a Stop. I learned that the hard way