Need help with shock length
Thread Starter
|
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
Need help with shock length
My 2020 F350 has a 2.5” readylift leveling kit and bilstein 5100s all the way around. I ordered up 4” blocks for the back to bring that up a bit (factory 2” blocks being replaced) and I also ordered the Eibach 3.3” coil springs to raise the front up just enough to clear my 35s and get some mudflaps on.
I need shocks. The rear have plenty of travel room. Just not sure about the front. Will that 0.8” matter? I’m probably due for shocks as it is.
I need shocks. The rear have plenty of travel room. Just not sure about the front. Will that 0.8” matter? I’m probably due for shocks as it is.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 549
Likes: 262
From: Northwest CT
My 2020 F350 has a 2.5” readylift leveling kit and bilstein 5100s all the way around. I ordered up 4” blocks for the back to bring that up a bit (factory 2” blocks being replaced) and I also ordered the Eibach 3.3” coil springs to raise the front up just enough to clear my 35s and get some mudflaps on.
I need shocks. The rear have plenty of travel room. Just not sure about the front. Will that 0.8” matter? I’m probably due for shocks as it is.
I need shocks. The rear have plenty of travel room. Just not sure about the front. Will that 0.8” matter? I’m probably due for shocks as it is.
Get out the tape measure and measure and follow along here:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/how-to-measure-for-jeep-shocks/?srsltid=AfmBOooxDjcsO7Niupp0EJGmhDTkldXY12sbgy_nn-CbMJJmzsEP1ktY
If you have the factory monotubes, this will be difficult since you can't see the shock shaft. What I did was measured the length at ride height, then measured distance from the bottom of the bump stop to the strike pad. Then I went looking at shock lengths of aftermarket shocks to determine what length was going to work.
For instance... If I have 22" of shock at ride height, with 4" of gap between the bump stop and the strike pad, then I know I should have a shock useable length of 8". I went looking for shocks that had the right overall length with an 8" stroke, but also knew I had a 1" spacer I had to account for so that had to be taken into consideration.
If I found a shock that was 26" extended, 19" compressed, I knew that would be too short since it has 7" of travel. At ride height I'd be 22.5" compressed which means I'd hit the shock body before the bump stop. You're looking for that magic gap that has the bump stop engaging before running out of shock shaft.
Thread Starter
|
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
The extra 0.8" probably won't matter much, but if you do use the truck at max droop/comp then it will.
Get out the tape measure and measure and follow along here:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/how-to-measure-for-jeep-shocks/?srsltid=AfmBOooxDjcsO7Niupp0EJGmhDTkldXY12sbgy_nn-CbMJJmzsEP1ktY
If you have the factory monotubes, this will be difficult since you can't see the shock shaft. What I did was measured the length at ride height, then measured distance from the bottom of the bump stop to the strike pad. Then I went looking at shock lengths of aftermarket shocks to determine what length was going to work.
For instance... If I have 22" of shock at ride height, with 4" of gap between the bump stop and the strike pad, then I know I should have a shock useable length of 8". I went looking for shocks that had the right overall length with an 8" stroke, but also knew I had a 1" spacer I had to account for so that had to be taken into consideration.
If I found a shock that was 26" extended, 19" compressed, I knew that would be too short since it has 7" of travel. At ride height I'd be 22.5" compressed which means I'd hit the shock body before the bump stop. You're looking for that magic gap that has the bump stop engaging before running out of shock shaft.
Get out the tape measure and measure and follow along here:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/how-to-measure-for-jeep-shocks/?srsltid=AfmBOooxDjcsO7Niupp0EJGmhDTkldXY12sbgy_nn-CbMJJmzsEP1ktY
If you have the factory monotubes, this will be difficult since you can't see the shock shaft. What I did was measured the length at ride height, then measured distance from the bottom of the bump stop to the strike pad. Then I went looking at shock lengths of aftermarket shocks to determine what length was going to work.
For instance... If I have 22" of shock at ride height, with 4" of gap between the bump stop and the strike pad, then I know I should have a shock useable length of 8". I went looking for shocks that had the right overall length with an 8" stroke, but also knew I had a 1" spacer I had to account for so that had to be taken into consideration.
If I found a shock that was 26" extended, 19" compressed, I knew that would be too short since it has 7" of travel. At ride height I'd be 22.5" compressed which means I'd hit the shock body before the bump stop. You're looking for that magic gap that has the bump stop engaging before running out of shock shaft.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 549
Likes: 262
From: Northwest CT
It would, and is very difficult to find it land exactly right.
The other option is to jack up the truck, remove shock, measure maximum length from top mount to lower bolt, then remove spring and let the truck compress to hitting the bump stop, then measure the distance from top mount to lower bolt. That will give you your extended and collapsed length (and also your travel number), then add 0.5-1" to your travel number and go shopping.
Example: 28" Max Extension - 16" Comp = 12" shock travel. So you'd look for a shock that has approx 12.5" of travel with an extended length of 28" and compressed of 16". What you'll actually find are shocks that are close to, but do not match, those numbers. So you get as close as you can and then get new bump stops to accommodate whichever way you need.
The other option is to jack up the truck, remove shock, measure maximum length from top mount to lower bolt, then remove spring and let the truck compress to hitting the bump stop, then measure the distance from top mount to lower bolt. That will give you your extended and collapsed length (and also your travel number), then add 0.5-1" to your travel number and go shopping.
Example: 28" Max Extension - 16" Comp = 12" shock travel. So you'd look for a shock that has approx 12.5" of travel with an extended length of 28" and compressed of 16". What you'll actually find are shocks that are close to, but do not match, those numbers. So you get as close as you can and then get new bump stops to accommodate whichever way you need.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Batlle
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
23
Jan 9, 2025 06:33 AM
spencry25
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Jul 17, 2003 11:03 AM
