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 Post subject: 2" lift shocks
PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:06 pm 
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Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:01 pm
Posts: 50
I've been trying to find some shocks for my 2" lifted 80 4wd. The parts stores try to sell me ranchos or say they'll look for some other kind but I give up on them. I'm trying to go cheap like Monroe gasmatics or something, I'm going to be going with more lift someday and don't want to drain the bank account for shocks I'll use for less than a year. Any of you lifted guys let me know what you're using, I still have the stock front suspension and rear axle. thanks

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1980 LUV 4wd 1.8, 31's, 3" body lift, weber 32/36, header, fakemaster, project in progress
1989 Isuzu Pickup 4wd 2.6, 2.3 head, weber 38, header, flowmaster, 31's, DD/light wheeler
1989 Camry, the race car
1968 Ford Fairlane Fastback, next in line


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 Post subject: Re: 2" lift shocks
PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:59 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:47 pm
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Location: Vancouver, Washington
they have ranchos for 2" lift on rockauto $46 piece they have a ton of shocks on there for luvs

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 Post subject: Re: 2" lift shocks
PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:58 pm 
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Location: N W Arkansas
If you still have your stock front suspension the travel hasn't changed, it's limited by the stops on the upper & lower control arms. No matter how much you lift it with the torsion bars the travel can't increase, so you don't need longer shocks for the front. Even if you go with shorter or even no bump stops the stock shocks should have enough overtravel to work. If you still want something longer a Ford half-ton pickup/Bronco from the '70s through the mid '90s uses the same style shock & often the exact same shock(at least for Troopers). Pick a brand of shock, see if there is a front shock that has a part number common to both Ford & Isuzu, there will be different part numbers for "X" inches of lift for the Ford, pick one as long as you think you need, just be careful they compress enough or you will break out the top shock mount- done that. My SAS LUV has run front shocks that fit a Ford pickup for years.
You can select a longer shock for the rear using a similar method, I think the rear shocks from an early GM half-ton fit, as will any shock with the proper size eye on each end, you just need to check the travel, I would have at least an inch or better two of both compression & extension past the maximum travel limits of your suspension. First though I would check to make sure you actually need a longer rear shock. I assume you added a leaf or longer shackles to lift the rear, & since the bottom shock mount is under the axle the shock starts off extended a bit farther than at stock ride height. The compression won't change, when the axle hits the bump stop the shock quits getting shorter at exactly the same spot as before the lift. Raise the rear of the truck until the suspension is fully extended, take the bottom of the shock loose & let it extend fully. Measure how much the shock mounting eye extends below the mounting bolt, if you have a couple of inches your shocks are long enough until you add more lift.
A too-short shock is better than one too long. Too short damages the shock while too long damages the shock and the mounts- you're only stopping the weight of the suspension or axle by overextending, you're stopping the weight of the vehicle by overcompressing.

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'78 Chevy LUV,1.9,4sp,headers,31's,SAS Dana 30,Dana 20,SOA rear w/Aussie Locker, rough body, bought new 12/4/78.
'87 Trooper,2.3,5sp,headers,31's,ball joint flip & spacer,Aussie Locker rear,Superwinch hubs,brush guard w/5.5K winch,more to come.


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 Post subject: Re: 2" lift shocks
PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:58 pm 
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Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:01 pm
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I'm mostly worried about the rear, the front has about 1 inch down travel on a good day :lol: I don't want to go with ranchos though, I have them on my 89 and they are definitely not worth the money in my opinion, they ride waaaay to stiff witch is something I don't need in my rickety luv. I had a suspicion that 1/2 ton chev shocks might work, I'll look for some and see what I can find. This helps a lot, thanks

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1980 LUV 4wd 1.8, 31's, 3" body lift, weber 32/36, header, fakemaster, project in progress
1989 Isuzu Pickup 4wd 2.6, 2.3 head, weber 38, header, flowmaster, 31's, DD/light wheeler
1989 Camry, the race car
1968 Ford Fairlane Fastback, next in line


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 Post subject: Re: 2" lift shocks
PostPosted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 6:04 pm 
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Location: N W Arkansas
You can get more downtravel by going with a low profile bump stop at the upper control arm or grinding yours down. You can get them from Independant 4x4 or direct from Energy Suspensions. A little bit more clearance inboard where the bump stop is makes about 3 or 4 times that much travel at the wheel.

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'78 Chevy LUV,1.9,4sp,headers,31's,SAS Dana 30,Dana 20,SOA rear w/Aussie Locker, rough body, bought new 12/4/78.
'87 Trooper,2.3,5sp,headers,31's,ball joint flip & spacer,Aussie Locker rear,Superwinch hubs,brush guard w/5.5K winch,more to come.


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 Post subject: Re: 2" lift shocks
PostPosted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:48 am 
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Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 6:08 pm
Posts: 152
Location: NorthWest Washington
I post on dead threads so when people search they could still find the answers. Full size gm shocks in the rear when lifted. Stock shocks are way to short. Front shocks stay the same. Also you can flip the bolts and leaf plates to the top of the axle to gain more height and I have done this and it works great.

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