CJ5 Shock Question ?

[Bunky67]

My 77 CJ5 appears to have some lift installed, and the PO has air shocks installed in the front and rear, and I would like to replace these, but my question is how do I tell if and how much lift I have to find the correct shocks??

 

[Torxhead]

Shocks can be purchased by min. and max. amount of travel. if you can't find anything online contact a dealer. Another possibility would be to check numbers on the springs if they are still there. If you have a 33" tire I would say its a 4" lift.

 

[Bunky67]

I measured my Shocks today and sitting still on the level they are 19" Center to center..

 

[BusaDave9]

You will need the fully compressed and fully extended lengths of your shocks. I think this is the most accurate way to find shocks. My previous shocks would bottom out. When I removed them I found out they would extend much further than my suspension would allow. And those were meant for a CJ5 with with the same lift as mine.

To find out the length of fully extended and compressed shocks drive your jeep into a ditch so all the weight is on both opposite corners like this:

if 2 tires are not coming off the ground you need to do a little guesswork. Measure the shock lengths and look up the shock sizes you need. Here is Rancho's specifications:
http://www.gorancho.com/assets/catalog/Specifications.pdf

 

[Old Dog]

The way Dave said is really the only way to get good measurments.