Shocks...

BlackonBlack · February 15, 2005

I remember reading a post a while back about a guy who found shocks for our trucks that were 2 inches longer. This sounds perfect for us guys who have raised our T-Bars. Its probably time for some new shocks on my rig and this sounds like a good option!

Does anyone remember which brand they were? links?

thanks...blackonblack

1st new GMC · February 16, 2005

I just ordered some longer shocks today for my '05 Sierra K1500. I ordered Explorer Pro Comp 9000 series. I used P/N 920580 for the front, and P/N 929543 for the rear.

These are the ones for their 4-6" lift, but when I measured the distance from the center of the lower mount to the upper frame mount,with the truck sitting level, I came up with 17". The shock they had listed for a 2" lift had a fully extended length of 15.5", so it wasn't going to work.

The shock for their 4-6" lift has a fully extended length of 20.5", and a compressed length of 12.4", so they will work perfectly.

The same with the rear. My truck ,sitting level, has a 23" center to center distance between the shock eyes. Their 2" lift shock only had an extended length of 25.5", which would only let the rear suspension "droop" 2.5".

The 4-6" lift shock has an extended length of 29.5' and a compressed length of 12.4", plenty of travel so the suspension can move freely.

I ordered them from 4 wheel parts wholesalers, after seeing them on line( at 4wheelparts.com) for $130,shipped. 4 wheel parts wholesalers matched that price,including shipping.

I should have them this time next week. I'll let you know how well they work.

woyster_00z71 · February 16, 2005

I'm interested in hearing how they work out. I think I was one of the ones posting before about getting the ES9000's meant for a 0-3" lift. That is what I was going to purchase for both my Tahoe and Silverado being that they both have the Ford torsion bar keys. However, if the shocks meant for 0-3" lift are still too short, and the 4-6" shocks will work I will order those.

Thanks for the heads up and I'll be looking forward to your reply.

B.J.

BlackonBlack · February 16, 2005

Thanks for the info! I will keep watching to see how you like them. And will deffinately look into the ProComp shocks...

1st new GMC · February 17, 2005

I'll give a full report when I install them. The tech guy I spoke with at Explorer Comp was confident that the 0-3" shocks would be more than long enough,until I told him what the measurment was between the front shck mounting points.

He kept telling me there was no way I could have measured 17",because his book says it's only 12" !!

My tape measure doesn't lie. We'll see next week when "brown santa" delivers my box from California.

How can I post pics here? I'll click off a few to show everyone. On the VW site I go to, I use photobucket.com and paste a link to my thread. Does it work the same way here??

1st new GMC · February 24, 2005

still no box from 4WP. I called last week, and got a BS story from them. After reading the most current threads about them and their legal problems, I'm gonna cancel my order and re-order a different vendor's shocks( maybe Rancho 9000's) from a different shop.

I'll keep everything updated.

woyster_00z71 · February 24, 2005

I looked into Rancho's and was told they didn't make a longer shock for lifted applications. I found this hard to believe being that Rancho makes lifts.

I was looking forward to seeing how the shocks worked out for you. Oh well, hopefully you get what you need without the hassle.

srsfunk · February 25, 2005

I found a part number on Summits website for a Rancho extended lenth shock part number RS5268 I think the stock hieght is RS5265? cant remember for sure.

I'm planning on ordering them sone so I can finally install my keys. Just need to figure out what I'm doing for the rear.

rtbrick · February 25, 2005

Are extended length shocks really necessary? I have the F**d keys and the front raised about ~1.7 inches, maybe less. I had it at 2 inches, but the ride was rough. The truck looks better with the slightest bit of rake in the front.

woyster_00z71 · March 3, 2005

1st new GMC / srsfunk...

Did either of you end up with longer shocks yet? If so, what did you get and how did it turn out?

I'm going to be ordering something in the next couple of weeks and I'm trying to figure out what the best choice/solution is going to be.

Thanks,

B.J.

rtbrick · March 4, 2005

I'm looking at that issue as well. I have been meaning to call Rancho, but I've been busy at work and get home too late. Rancho has the buy 3/1 free deal going right now. I'm leaning heavy towards the RSXs. About $155 shipped from Sams Offroad or Summit. I would probably try the 9000s, but even with one free they are still out of my budget (~$250). I had also condsidered the KYB Monomax/ Gas Adjust and Monroe Sensa-tracs (looking for comfort). The free offer kinda swayed me to Rancho. I've read both that Ranchos are good for 0-3 inches lift and that they're closer to stock travel. I will post as soon as I know something (might be next week - I'm doing brakes this weekend).

1st new GMC · March 5, 2005

1st new GMC / srsfunk...

Did either of you end up with longer shocks yet? If so, what did you get and how did it turn out?

I'm going to be ordering something in the next couple of weeks and I'm trying to figure out what the best choice/solution is going to be.

Thanks,

B.J.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry for the delay, I haven't been on here too much lately. Yes, I got the shocks. When I called 4 wheel parts to cancel the order, they told me the box was already sent. I got it yesterday. I went to install them today. The short & sweet answer- the front shocks were too long. I was told they had a compressed length of 12". I had them fully compressed, and when I measured, I got 15 1/2" long. If I had installed these, I would have had exactly 1/2" of compression travel.

I didn't even try the rears, it didn't make any sense(to me) to even try, since the fronts were not going to work. I wish they would have, the Explorer Pro Comp ES 9000's look like nice shocks. Much larger in diameter than the factory shocks, and much stiffer to compress by hand.

I had to package everything back up, and get a return authorization from 4WP. It cost me $29 to ship them back to CA., and it will probably be 3 weeks before they credit back my Discover card.

I was/am bummed, I was really hoping it was gonna work. I still can't use their "stock - 2" lift" shock,because it has an extended length of 15.25". It will be too short. The distance between the mounting points is 16" right now.

I have one other plan that I'm gonna try. I'll look for a set of the O.E. Bilsteins on eBay. if I can get them, I'll have a welding shop cut and extend the lenght of the clevis mount (bottom mount) by 2". That will solve the problem, but it's gonna look Ghetto/backwoods as all h*ll.

I had a long conversation w/ an engineer at Explorer Pro Comp about the issues I'm having. It seems that they are aware there is a need for shocks for exactly the things we are doing, but he couldn't say if they were going to do anything about it.

sorry for the long post, I just wanted to let everyone know that I tried very hard to find an easy solution. There just doesn't seem to be one right now.

woyster_00z71 · March 8, 2005

In reply to srsfunk's post above:

According to Summit Racing's technical information and verified with published Rancho specifications, here are the specs on the Rancho part numbers he posted and the equivalent RSX shock:

RS5268 (Raised, 4in) also RSX17337

Extended Length (in): 20.75

Collapsed Length (in): 13.87

RS5265 (stock height) also RSX17068

Extended Length (in): 15.375

Collapsed Length (in): 10.875

In light of 1st new GMC's experiences with the ProComp's, this raised height Rancho may be the way to go. It looks to be between the stock height and the ProComp raised height shock. Plus, you get the Buy 3, get 1 free special that is currently going on.

Any thoughts?

1st new GMC · March 8, 2005

I have my doubts if the Rancho 4" lift shock would work, because the extended and collapsed lenght are just about the same as the ES 9000's I tried.

here's something to think about: all of the aftermarket shocks (Rancho, Explorer Pro Comp, Stupid lift <super lift>, Sky Jacker, ect...) all are made in the same factory and use the same parts.

I'm not trying to be negitive,or talk you out of attempting using the Ranchos, just be sure that you can return them if they won't work.

In the back of the Rancho catalog, there is a chart that lists the different styles of mounts (eye, clevis, stem) and then there is a chart that gives extended and collasped lengths. When I calculated the perfect length, then looked at the mounts used (clevis on bottom, stem on top) there was nothing listed!

The biggest issue is the stupid clevis mount on the bottom. There are plenty of shocks w/ the correct amount of travel, but they all use eyes for mounts, not stems and clevis'. If someone can figure out a "bolt-on" solution for converting the bottom mount to an eye, it would be easy to find a shock to work.

woyster_00z71 · March 16, 2005

I just got off the phone with Skyjacker. They have shocks that are made for 3" lift. The model number (depending on what shock you want) is N8003, M8003, or H7003. The N is a gas (nitro) shock, H is a hydro shock, and I don't remember what the M was. In any case, the shock has an extended length of 18.5" and a compressed length of 12.25". The guy I talked to had to actually pull a shock off the shelf and measure it for me being that it wasn't listed in their catalog. Does this sound like it would work?

Another option would be to fabricate a custom lower shock mount like in the picture below. I don't have access to the equipment needed to do this but it is a good idea and stock length shocks can be used. What do you think?

Stock

Extended mount

B.J.