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using 4in lift shocks in with 3 in springs?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:40 pm
by stewie81
Is it possible to use 4" lift shocks with only 3" spring?
Can get second hand for a dude at work.
EDIT: this is for a GQ..
I was thinking of using Limiting straps like the ones
superior engineering make.
Or would I be better off just buying the 3" over shocks?
Is this a Stooopid Idea or a good one?
Cheers
Stewie

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:10 pm
by InSanE
if the shocks are longer then the coils they may fall out on flex probably a good idea to get a pair of 3" shocks talk to 4wd stuff he will look after you
Re: using 4in lift shocks in with 3 in springs?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 11:06 pm
by bogged
stewie81 wrote:Is it possible to use 4" lift shocks with only 3" spring?
Can get second hand for a dude at work.
EDIT: this is for a GQ..
I was thinking of using Limiting straps like the ones
superior engineering make.
Or would I be better off just buying the 3" over shocks?
Is this a Stooopid Idea or a good one?
Why would you want to? what is the advantage since you sound like you have to buy one or the other anyway...
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:45 am
by stewie81
You have a valid question bogged...
But it is I guess the opportunity to get the lift in at a discounted price..
I will prob go the Procomps for shane 4wdSTUFF...
Are the pro comps good or should i look at others?
Cheers opinion appreciated (spelling is crsp at 12.45am)
Cheers..
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:46 am
by InSanE
both the shocks he sells are good i have just purchased a set of dobinson 3" shocks and coils from shane i have a few mates that run dobinson's and have not had a drama with them so i thought i would give them a go, but the pro comps have a good warranty so either way it comes to personal choice
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:02 am
by Bingham
if i was u id take some measurements particularly if coils second hand.... i had a second hand kit supposedly 6 inch and rear shocks fine and they ended up getting used with new 5 inch springs and worked perfectly... on the front however at a gues the 6 inch shocks would have better suited a 4 inch lift.....
just a thought and remember that springs should be cheaper than shocks
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:40 am
by Beastmavster
I have a 2" lift in mine but the front shocks are the same as they use in the 3" lift kit.
At the back I have extra long shocks that are the same length that are in the 4" lift kit.
I cannot see any reason at all why you would have a problem with a 1" differential and my springs sure as hell dont fall out.
I did the same in my vitara except the shocks i put in the back were about 6" longer than stock for a 2" lift. That 4" difference was long enough to cause issues though and the rear springs needed to be wired in.
Before that I ran 2" longer rear shocks with no lift at all in the vitara for more droop.
For 1" or 2" longer than your springs I dont see an issue. Manufacturers dont make them so that if a shock is acouple of mm beyond tolerance your spring falls out.
I can't see why you wouldnt WANT to have the extra travel that this allows.
As per bingham i measured mine up first, then took the recommended rear shocks home on the proviso that if I didnt like how much flex they gave I'd bring them back. With the car on stands in the garage as soon as I disconnected my rear sway bar I had my answer - the 2" lift shocks would have been restricting droop even with no load at all.
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:39 am
by Suspension Stuff
You will have to extend your bump stops more with a longer shock because it has a longer compressed length than a 3 inch lift shock. That is if they really are 4 inch lift shocks. Different manufacturers have different ideas on what is 3 or 4 inches above standard.
If you limit the length of your travel in some way then you are not getting the full length of travel (maybe) but maybe a bit more than a 3 inch lift shock, so over all you could end up with less travel than getting 3 inch lifted shocks to start with. But you may get more travel. This is of course depending on whether you really have 3 inch lift coils. If it is Kings then I would suggest it is about a 2.5 inch lift.
Another way is to modify your shock mounts.
Thanks Insane I have just had your coils gold embedded for more flex.
We have no probs with either Dobinsons or Procomps, some other major brands can't say this with a straight face. Like Insane said, Procomps have a better warranty and a few different options with sizes but Dobinsons are right for the 3 or 4-5 inch lift and I and my supplier will warranty them longer than the manufacturer will.
As Beastmavster said it is quite common to put a 3 inch lift shock in the front of a 2 inch lift. There is a fair bit of difference between the 3 and the 4 inch front shock though.
Shane
EDIT: I have longer shocks in my Rangie and I have retained my coils top and bottom so they stretch for more flex. I never did this with my GQ's though so I can't really comment.
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:18 pm
by dwaynes
ill add to this in i have a heavy duty 2" lift Lovells and dobinsons shocks for a three inch and have no issue of coil falling out.
and all this was from 4wdstuff and works a treat
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:19 pm
by InSanE
thanks shane

i want this thing to flex like a slinky, and there is no point in stuffing around with 2nd hand springs and shocks, just get your springs and put them in work out how mutch it lifted your truck above standard, standard bump stop measurements is 60 - 65mm btween bump stop and the flat surface under the bump stop. or you could flex it out till you max your coils and measure compressed and uncompressed shock lengths.
shocks
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:46 pm
by dubs
I had modified shock mounts on the rear of my GQ. They were moved up approx 40mm.This allowed for the springs to fall out when at full flex.I just bolted metal plates at the top and bottom of the spring to stop this.Had a lot better flex.Also gave better clearance.I didnt buy shorter shocks just used the same ones,
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:19 pm
by CRUSHU
i run procomps shocks in mine, with 1" spacers for the front shocks (in the tower).
i have aprox 3" lift (pedders 2"+ springs, and 30mm spacers)
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:22 pm
by stool
I too have spirngs from Shane 4wdSTUFF
THAT IS ALL