shocks for Ford mounts?

[Alex Kapparos]

I am wondering about what shocks to get for the Ford shock mounts. If I have a 2.5" lift and want the increased shock travel, should I get shocks for a 4" lift to get the added length? Is measuring the only way to go? I ask this because I can get a set of 4" pro comp shocks for free.

 

[Scooter402]

Measuring is typically the best way to go, but if you have some free shocks available, I'd say at the very least, go for it and see what happens. The Ford towers do add a good bit of length (4-5", if i remember correctly), so a 4" lift shock would be the very least I would go. At any rate, you could adjust how high you put the shocks on the frame.

 

[Alex Kapparos]

That makes sense. I didn't really think about dropping the mount height for them to work just right.

 

[Old Dog]

I'd measure a full droop and stuff to get it right.

 

[BusaDave9]

I have installed ford shock mounts.
As Old Dog and Scooter have said you must measure.
Here's what you do.
Without shocks and drive your jeep into a ditch to compress opposite corners.

Measure the distance between the shock mounts. Then go to a manufactures web site for the specs.
Then go here to find the correct shocks: http://www.gorancho.com/assets/catalog/Specifications.pdf
This is the only way to get the right shocks that don't limit your travel.

 

[Alex Kapparos]

Cool, thanks for the info guys. One more question. Do I have to flex both axles in a ditch or can I just use a forklift and raise each wheel, one at a time?

 

[BusaDave9]

Do I have to flex both axles in a ditch or can I just use a forklift and raise each wheel, one at a time?

Just as long as you flex the suspension as far as it can go. A fork lift should work great unless you have a lot of flex. I would fear tipping my CJ over if I tried that with a fork lift. If you get so much flex that you worry about tipping the jeep over, have your right rear tire up on something when you lift your left front. But as I said, I don't think that will be a problem.

 

[texas78cj]

when you say to compress one side do you messure the compessed side, the opposite side, or do you need both mesurements?

 

[PaRenegade]

Both. What your looking for is the minimum and maximum extents of your suspension and the distance between shock mounting bolts at those extents. The compression will also tell you where you need your bump stops placed at, so as not to do any damage to your wheel wells and also to limit the shocks compression. You don't want your shocks acting as the bump stops.... or bad things will happen.