simple question...

if the stock rear shocks are 21(???) inches extended...
then for jeep TJ springs I should get shocks that are 24 inches extended??....or would that be too long?

I'm running stock TJ springs on mine and the 24" shocks work fine. I removed my stock bump stop and drilled and taped the hole for TJ bump stops and on the bottom I used a 1/2" tall bump stop from energy suspenions made for lowerd Chevy a-arms to center the bottom of the spring. I can't rember the part# but I could find it if you need it. To get the TJ bump stops I just went to the Jeep forum here on the wire and asked if anybody had some to sale. If you need any advice putting it together just e-mail me and I will be glad to help.
Dennis

ok.....

lol...went to get shocks...bad timing...the hubby was at the parts store!!!... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

the boys(hubby and the guy at the counter) decided to give my kia shocks that are 27 inches extended...and put limiting straps on her... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

will let ya all know how it all goes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Hi LadyFrog,

I would be worried that you might bottom out those shocks since the collapsed length is probably 3 inches longer than stock.

a 27" shock will not have anywhere near the compression you will want. the sportage rear axle is nowhere near heavy enough to require limiting straps unless you plan to jump the vehicle often. i relied on the shocks to act as both bumpstops and extension stops for over 2 years with no problems in shock performance. in fact, i left it this way for my new suspension as well, except i included bumpstops, mainly to keep the tires out of the sheetmetal. take the shocks and straps back and get 24-25" shocks and some sort of coil retension, either a bolt and a strap of plate steel or by doing what Dennis did. these are the best ideas. also, one more thing- your rear parking brake cables may not allow enough room for the extension of 27" shocks. they may act as limiting straps anyway and that's worse than topping-out a shock.

the stock shocks colapsed were 13 extended were 21
the ones they put in are 15 colapsed 27 extended
put them on and jacked it up till it the shock was fully extended
and the springs could fall out cables and everything are fine
my stock bump stops would be able to hold them in only about 1-1/2 space and they feel great on the road...
the real question is how are they off road! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

jacking it straight up isn't the true test of what will hit/pull and what won't, articulating it will be.

If you have jack stands put one jack stand on the right front and the other on the left rear. Put it in low-range and drive up the jack stands. You will notice that the right e-brake cable is pulled tight and the spring will probly fall out. It is not as extream on the e-brake cable when the left is at full drop. If you want to keep the 27" shocks remove the bolt holding the e-brake cable above the gas tank and fab up an extention mount and I strongly recomend the TJ bump stops becouse the TJ springs have a much bigger wind on the top and bottom coil and with the Kia bump stops they will never stay centered.
Dennis

Dennis means ramps, not jack stands. you try to drive on jack stands and you'll be buying tires and fixing rocker panel dents.

Oops! What a dip-wad! lets write it ten times.
ramps, ramps, ramps, ..... I should not get on the computer past my bed time.
Dennis