shock absorber question

[jeepboy45]

hey guys...

FINALLY getting to putting new shocks on my Jeep..

It is a '79 CJ7 with a skyjacker 4 in spring lift..... When I got the lift kit, I put the "softride" shocks on it that came with the kit. After about a year, one started leaking and soon broke. I replaced it. A couple years later I noticed another had broken.... Neither time did I notice a change in ride!! Wasnt very impressed with the quality, so I removed them altogether!!

Now I'd like to put shocks back on.... I know everyone has a different choice and reasoning behind their choice of shocks... This isnt really my question. A buddy told me he is running a cheap set of Gabriels on his Jeep, and they are fine.... Honestly, my Jeep doesn't see a lot of wheeling, and if I can put a set on for $100 as opposed to $50 each, I'd like to go that route.

Any advice on doing this on "the cheap"? I have a feeling that unless you're getting into the really pricey stuff, they're prob all about the same....

Unfortunately, the parts monkeys arent going to be able to help since my Jeep isnt a stock height and all they know how to do is punch year/mk/model for an application....

Best way to find what I need????????

thanks in advance

 

[hagar]

Measure the distance between the shock mounting pins as the Jeep sits.
Write that measurement down for both the front and the rear.
Go online and get into a shock catalog listing.
Note the mounting type listed for your year of Jeep.
Now look at the extended and compressed lengths of the shocks listed for your mounting type.
Since you know what the static measurement is as your Jeep sits, your looking for shocks listed that will extend/compress anywhere from 4"-5" more than what your measurement was.
Example: you measured 13" for the front shocks; your looking for shocks with an extended length of about 17" and a compressed length of about 9".
Get the idea?
(This is only an example with my numbers pulled out of the air.)
You could also jack up one corner of the Jeep to extend the suspension and get a more accurate measurement of the extended length you think you might need.
Just be patient and go thru all the catalogs for whatever shock you're interested in.
Another example of what you're looking for:
Most CJ's will be listed as L1 mounting type front and rear (pin type, top and bottom mounting).
So the shock you select should read something like this from the catalog:
Front L1 L1 Extended 17"; Compressed 9"
Rear L1 L1 Extended 22"; Compressed 13".

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Listen well to what hagar post'd-
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

+2 Most shocks break because they are either topping out or bottoming with a possible combination of the two. Even the big shock companies frequently don't have enough extension or compression with the shocks they offer for a specific application. So, it might not be a cast of cheap shocks, but of a bad combination of the above measurements.

 

[Tinman22]

1995 Ford F-AMC 150 rears is what we just put on the shop jeep
It's got a 4" spring lift with stock axles.
We got them at orileys for 88 bucks or so for the set. I think they were 26.5 extended and 15.2 compressed

 

[jeepboy45]

1995 Ford F-AMC 150 rears is what we just put on the shop jeep
It's got a 4" spring lift with stock axles.
We got them at orileys for 88 bucks or so for the set. I think they were 26.5 extended and 15.2 compressed

Everything i see so far only goes up to about 23 inches extended.... If you have a part # that would be awesome.... I've been trying different variables but no luck so far... thanks for info above..
Brian


EDIT: I just tried an F350 and got the travel you'd mentioned.... thanks very much for your help above.

 

[jeepboy45]

ah, but after ordering, and receiving them, it turns out the eye holes are the wrong size...!!! GRRRRR!!!

apparently the Ford shocks have different size holes for top and bottom mounting pins.... GRRRR! another variable to figure into the mess..

any additional help from someone who has gone the non conventional route would be awesome....

thanks

 

[Kane]

Wouldn't the ford shocks be valved for a much heavier vehicle? I think they would be very stiff.