What rear shocks for 4-5" rear drop?

[bigmoe]

I've done 3" drop spindles and Jeep Wrangler rear springs which are a 4 or 5" drop from what I understand. I put in a frame notch. I've installed some rear shock relocators.
I did some measuring for shocks. If I lift up on the frame until the wheels just about come off the floor the extended shock length would be 18 1/4". If the axle came right up to the snubbers (which it probably won't), the compressed length would be 10 1/4". I grabbed an old rear shock and measured 19 1/2" - 12". I'm wondering if stock shocks would work? This truck will never haul a load. What's ideal for a shock, longer than actual travel length (18 1/4") and shorter than the actual compressed distance ( 10 1/4")?

[kdad]

Take a look at my build and you will see what has become the norm for rear relocated shocks on a 5" drop. "Not my design" but it is perfect for using factory length shocks. IMHO...…

Originally Posted by bigmoe

I've done 3" drop spindles and Jeep Wrangler rear springs which are a 4 or 5" drop from what I understand. I put in a frame notch. I've installed some rear shock relocators.
I did some measuring for shocks. If I lift up on the frame until the wheels just about come off the floor the extended shock length would be 18 1/4". If the axle came right up to the snubbers (which it probably won't), the compressed length would be 10 1/4". I grabbed an old rear shock and measured 19 1/2" - 12". I'm wondering if stock shocks would work? This truck will never haul a load. What's ideal for a shock, longer than actual travel length (18 1/4") and shorter than the actual compressed distance ( 10 1/4")?

[Backpayne]

Shocks from the front. No lie.

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by Backpayne

Shocks from the front. No lie.

It appears front shocks are 14" extended, 10 1/4" compressed.

[Clyde65]

What rear shock relocators did you use?

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by kdad

Take a look at my build and you will see what has become the norm for rear relocated shocks on a 5" drop. "Not my design" but it is perfect for using factory length shocks. IMHO...…

Saw your pics kdad. Looks like a great idea.

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

What rear shock relocators did you use?

This one on the top and stock bkt on the bottom. I think I'll have to build or modify the bottom to raise it up.

[TxCajun]

I installed a 3" heavy-duty drop spring and I fabricated some new rear upper shock mounts following the same basic design that you used, but I did alter the design slightly to position the top of the shock a little further back and more upright.

After a little research, I chose to use Monroe Gas-Magnum 34904 shocks instead of the Monroe 32207 that are often suggested on this forum with that fabricated mount. The 34904 are very close in length dimensions to the 32207, but are a little beefier in that they have a larger diameter rod and cylinder. My truck has a tread plate rear bed floor that I estimate adds 250 to 300 pounds to the bed, so I think the additional damping may be helpful.
However, the shock-fully-compressed-length measurement on my truck is a little longer than what you mentioned for yours, so these 34904 shocks with a 11.875" compressed length work for me.

Monroe has a good website for determining shock dimensions: http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/34904/

It appears that the often recommended front shock is Monroe 33033 which has a 14.63" extended length and a 10.13" compressed length.

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by TxCajun

I installed a 3" heavy-duty drop spring and I fabricated some new rear upper shock mounts following the same basic design that you used, but I did alter the design slightly to position the top of the shock a little further back and more upright.

After a little research, I chose to use Monroe Gas-Magnum 34904 shocks instead of the Monroe 32207 that are often suggested on this forum with that fabricated mount. The 34904 are very close in length dimensions to the 32207, but are a little beefier in that they have a larger diameter rod and cylinder. My truck has a tread plate rear bed floor that I estimate adds 250 to 300 pounds to the bed, so I think the additional damping may be helpful.
However, the shock-fully-compressed-length measurement on my truck is a little longer than what you mentioned for yours, so these 34904 shocks with a 11.875" compressed length work for me.

Monroe has a good website for determining shock dimensions: http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/34904/

It appears that the often recommended front shock is Monroe 33033 which has a 14.63" extended length and a 10.13" compressed length.

Thanks TxCajun. I think I'll go with the sturdier 34904. I'm using a rear gas tank which will add a little weight.

[kdad]

I got that from the FAQ section.. credit to Frizzle Fry.

Just flip the rear mounting plates drill them out and use front upper mounts at new location on frame. Im using stock front length shocks.

Originally Posted by bigmoe

Saw your pics kdad. Looks like a great idea.