Shock length question

[b3uhbp]

I am finally replacing my terrible Rancho springs and shocks with a YJ to CJ conversion fro OME. The Doetsch shocks sent with the kit from Rocky Road are 1.5" longer than the current shocks and would only have 2.5" of compression on the front before the shock bottoms out on itself rather than the bump stop. The current shocks are mounted to a shock mount welded to the axle tube. If I cut off these mounts I can mount the shocks to the stud on the new spring plates which will extend the shocks another 3.25" and solve the problem. The New shocks will fit fine on the back. Should I cut off the welded mounts or go with a shorter shock? Total length of the new shocks is 25" with 10" of travel. Thanks

 

[Torxhead]

If you drive your CJ off road you might have an issue hammering rocks against the low hanging shock mounts. Those front shock mounts on the CJ axle are oem. You might want to call Rocky Road on those shocks.

 

[b3uhbp]

I do very little off road driving but your observations are helpful. I'll call Rocky Road for sure.

 

[jp360cj]

What year is your CJ and What do your front shock towers look like?

Narrow track CJs came with short welded on shock towers and the lower mount on the spring perch. Wide track CJs came with taller bolt on shock towers and lower mounts on the axle tube. Shock length was pretty close between the two but swapping parts can cause some odd combinations


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[mriplaybass]

When I modified the suspension on our CJ7 , I made my own front shock towers. I have been told that a lot of people have successfully used Ford truck towers to extend the shock travel.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F250-F350-Super-Duty-4x4-Front-Upper-Shock-Tower-Mount-Strut-Bracket-OEM/201441144377?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[b3uhbp]

What year is your CJ and What do your front shock towers look like?

Narrow track CJs came with short welded on shock towers and the lower mount on the spring perch. Wide track CJs came with taller bolt on shock towers and lower mounts on the axle tube. Shock length was pretty close between the two but swapping parts can cause some odd combinations

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My CJ is an 84 wide track with bolt on towers and lower mounts welded to the axle tube. Haven't called Rocky Road yet but will today.

 

[b3uhbp]

I called Rocky Road. They said to cut off the welded mounts on the axle tube and use the studs on the new spring plates. This will give 3.25", fix the problem and provide maximum shock travel. They said this was a common question.

 

[CJ]

Welded to axle tubes and not using stock spring plates?

 

[b3uhbp]

Welded to axle tubes and not using stock spring plates?

They recommended removing the mounts welded to the axle tubes and to use the studs on the new spring plates that came with the lift kit. These studs are 3" lower.