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Shock length Q's

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:31 pm
by ToyboxSA
My plan on my gen 2 hilux is to run OME RUF with 175mm shackle , and OME IFS rears wth a 200mm shackle.


I realise that the best way is to fit the springs and then flex and measure but sadly i need to order the shocks from the States and the shipping time kills me! If i have a rough idea then i can do the final adjustments on the shock towers/mounts when everything arrives.

What length shocks should be looking at...?

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:04 pm
by yamaha__308
I was in the same situation with my build.

To get a rough estimate for the front, I ran a string line from the eye of the front hanger to the shackle pivot point. This gives an indication of where the spring pack will be when it is flat. I wanted to bumpstop at the point where the spring pack will become flat to increase the life of the pack.
So this gives a indication of the amount of uptravel. You then can work out where you need to put mounts with the extended and compressed measurements given. Some people design for 60% of the shaft in the shock body and 40% out.

But in short, I was able to fit 14" bilsteins in the front and 12" in the rear. The front required the inner guards to be cut to get the top mount high enough for uptravel. If you dont want to cut guards, go 12". I managed 5" uptravel and 9" down before the shock limits.

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:50 pm
by ToyboxSA
thanks! is your rear travel limited by the IFS springs or the shock length?

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:40 am
by yamaha__308
Travel in the rear is limited by the springs.
If i didnt need the carrying capacity to tow my tyres around, I would run a 3 leaf pack, anti-wrap bar and 1-2" lift blocks.

My buildup thread has a few pics of the first time wheeling.