I was under my mighy max today and I noticed that the rubber bushings fastening the bottom of all four of my shocks are toasted. I can grab the bottom of each shock and there is a lot of play between the bottom of the shock and it's mounting bolt. Is this normal??? I'm guessing no. If I bounce the truck up and down there is also some up/down play. About half an inch. The front shock bottoms move side to side over an inch! It seems as though the rubber mounting holes on the shocks have become larger in diameter, hence the looseness.

About 20 000 miles back, I did the torsion bar lift in the front and the 2" shackle lift in the rear. So in effect, my shocks were extended to 2" longer than they were before the lift.

So here are my questions:

1) Is it hard on a set of shocks when you do a lift like I have?

2) Aside from the torsion bar lift stiffness, does running your shocks 2" longer have a negative effect on the ride quality?

3) Since my shocks appear to have no push or pull left in them (they are pretty much dangling from the upper mounts), can I assume they are dead? As far as I know, a shock should always be trying to close up, correct?

4) Is it possible that my shocks are overextended / topping out in their current position and thereby have blown the seals?

5) When shopping for new shocks, I'm thinking I shouldn't be searching using my vehicle make / model, because I no longer run a stock set up. I took measurements, at all four corners of the truck, with the tires fully stuffed, and fully drooped. I measured the compressed length, the static length (trucks regular parked on flat stance),and the extended length of each shock from centre of bottom mounting hole to center of top mounting hole. My front upper bump stops are trimmed. The compression measurement of my rear shocks was determined and limited when the rear tire hits the frame. the rear droop measurement was maximized when the rear shock was at the end of it's extension.

Here are the results:

FRONT SHOCKS mount to mount: STATIC - 13.5"
COMPRESSED - 11"
EXTENDED - 14.5"

REAR SHOCKS mount to mount: STATIC - 20"
COMPRESSED - 18"
EXTENDED - 25"

So, with this information, how can I determine the best fitting shock for my vehicle? I noticed that I have very little travel in the front shocks, especially from the STATIC to EXTENDED lengths. It's only about an inch??!!! If I trim my lower bump stops will this improve, giving me more sag?

Any insight, or pointers would be great!

Your on the right track. Your shocks are dead, way dead, dead dead <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

There is a part number somewhere on the board for a KYB shock that works with your situation. Somebody will know.

Keep in mind that when you crank the torsion bars, it has no bearing on the amount of travel you have. It only changes the relative position of rest within the range of motion you already had, so the same shocks that you had originally are what you need now up front.

I can't speak for everyone, but I haven't gone away from the stock rear shock configuration either. I'd say that you can run new rear shocks of the same configuration in the rear, as well. Find a parts house that sells KYBs and get a set for all four corners. You'll be happy you did.

My 2 pennies...

As for the front shocks. They're not 2" longer. They require the original sized shocks. For the rear, yes, you'll need longer ones.

If you can't find the right shock for the rear, just give KYB tech support a call. They will literally be able to figure out what other shock can be used based on your stock shock mounts (top and bottom) + lift and if any specific mods need to be made.

HTH.

Thanks for the pointers guys!

Ray, I just enjoyed my morning coffee while reading about mods on your website! Did u have to change anything in your hella light wiring when u installed the 75 watt bulbs?

I understand now about the front suspension still having stock travel, but still have another Q? If I trim the lower bump stops while my downward travel (sag) increase?