What LENGTH shocks for XX Lift?

[Lumpy]

Is there a simple way to tell? And to compare with MFG listings?

ie if I raise my Astro 4" (or 6 or whatever) How do I go to a shock manufacturer
website or catalog and see which shock I need? Typically they simply list them
by veh year/make/model.

My apologies if this has been answered already.

Thanks -


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

http://www.n0eq.com

[Gary]

Look here to see what they use:

http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_liftkits.html

[Lumpy]

Look here to see what they use:

http://www.overlandvans.com/0104_liftkits.html

Not sure how that addresses my question.
No reference to length or other dimensions.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

http://www.n0eq.com

[Gary]

I just thought if you looked at what he is using for a specific lift,you could copy that not needing to know the length.If you really want those spec's,you could go to any auto parts site and usually get them there under a brand name.

Here is a example of what i am talking about:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... 6141374___

Look at the spec section and no,it isn't a shock I advise you buy.

[tedanderson]

Is there a simple way to tell? And to compare with MFG listings?

ie if I raise my Astro 4" (or 6 or whatever) How do I go to a shock manufacturer
website or catalog and see which shock I need? Typically they simply list them
by veh year/make/model.

If I understand correctly, you need specs sort of like.. if the Monroe book calls for a particular part number, you want to know the length, type of mount, amount of damping force, etc. and then be able to look up another unit with the same or similar specs but with a different length, then you want to know what that part number is so that you can ask for that set of shocks specifically due to the fact asking for an Astro isn't going to help you or the guy behind the parts counter.

http://www.swayaway.com/calculators/swayawayCalc.php

[rotor]

I didn't buy mine from Overland but this helped me pick mine out http://www.overlandvans.com/shocks_application.html lists what model # per lift

[Lumpy]

I just thought if you looked at what he is using for a specific lift,you could copy that not needing to know the length.If you really want those spec's,you could go to any auto parts site and usually get them there under a brand name.

Here is a example of what i am talking about:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... 6141374___

Look at the spec section and no,it isn't a shock I advise you buy.

I don't see any specs on that page, nor under the "specs" section/tab of that page.

Looking up Rancho RS5000 shocks on that website returns the generic 5000
listing and the "see if it fits your vehicle" dialog.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

http://www.n0eq.com

[Lumpy]

I didn't buy mine from Overland but this helped me pick mine out http://www.overlandvans.com/shocks_application.html lists what model # per lift

I've seen that page at Overland. At least in my case, not much help.

Let me present it another way...

89 Astro -

What SPECIFIC shocks, and/or specific dimensions and mounting scheme,
do I need for -

2" lift Front? Rear?
4" lift F/R?
6" lift F/R?

Perhaps I'm the only one that isn't seeing some way (simple or complex) of
knowing which shocks to ask for, once the van is lifted X amount.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

www.n0eq.com

[slim724]

I think it matters as wether you are doing a body lift or suspension lift, with a body lift you can generally use stock sizes and with a suspension lift you will need to know exactly how much lift, and go to a specific manufacturer with that number and see if they carry a size to fit your vehicle and lift

[rotor]

I didn't buy mine from Overland but this helped me pick mine out http://www.overlandvans.com/shocks_application.html lists what model # per lift

I've seen that page at Overland. At least in my case, not much help.

Let me present it another way...

89 Astro -

What SPECIFIC shocks, and/or specific dimensions and mounting scheme,
do I need for -

2" lift Front? Rear?
4" lift F/R?
6" lift F/R?

Perhaps I'm the only one that isn't seeing some way (simple or complex) of
knowing which shocks to ask for, once the van is lifted X amount.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

http://www.n0eq.com

Well lets see if this helps
If you lift the front 2" with body spacers- suspension isn't affected, any stock shock works
If you lift the front 2" with torsion bar adjustment, stock shocks still work
If you lift the front 4" with spacers and torsion adjustments you can still use stock shocks!

if you lift the rear 2" with shackles or springs, stock shocks still work
If you lift the rear past 2" you have to use rear lift shocks from a full size chevy.

The shock application guide is a lot of help if you are willing to do any research (It has the manufacturers part # listed for x amount of lift). I went to http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAN-RS5112/Application/?prefilter=1 typed in the rancho 5000 part # from the application guide RS5112(for the 5" rear lift), and it shows every vehicle that shock fits with X amount of lift.

I could do the same with the rancho part # RS5005 for the 7" lift in the rear and it would do the same

I don't know what length shocks you need for x amount of lift, best bet would be to contact the manufacturers with the part #'s from the application guide and ask them what the compressed and extended lengths are.

Hope that helps.

[Lumpy]

Thanks everyone for trying.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

www.n0eq.com

[slim724]

Thanks everyone for trying.


Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke

http://www.n0eq.com

Well, if your looking for a description of a shock that states it will fit Astro/Safari with XX amount of lift I don't think it's going to happen, these vans aren't a popular enough lifted vehicle. Now you can find that kind of description for a Jeep and some Chevy and Fords because they are a more poular vehicle to lift, so manufacturers can cater more for those applications

[Astronaught]

Here are Rancho and Monroe specs. As seen in the Overland site you can go up to 5" lift on the fronts and be OK with stock lengths. What is the affect is the shock is too short? I plan on a 4" lift but I don't want to change out the brand new shocks I jut put in the back. The shocks will be 2 inches too short according to the Rancho vs Monroe spec comparison. I might just get the Overland shock relo kit to get rid of the problem.

2005_productshock_spec.pdf

(571.06 KiB) Downloaded 117 times

08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf

(442.81 KiB) Downloaded 109 times

[astroturf]

Good Info

Thanks, Jim

[Lumpy]

To figure out shocks for my 89 with 2 inch lift,
I used the Rancho spec sheet and found the closest
size to stock for the front, and closest to 2 inch
longer in the rear.

Ended up with -
999166 Front
999147 Rear
And the 999705 MyRide kit


Lump

[doyoulikeithere]

I just looked up the shock for my application here
http://www.overlandvans.com/shocks_application.html
then I went to the auto parts store with the mfg & model numbers in hand and asked for them or somthing the same as.
Worked, I got shocks that fit.

[loopie]

...I plan on a 4" lift but I don't want to change out the brand new shocks I jut put in the back...I might just get the Overland shock relo kit to get rid of the problem....

It's a win-win situation. Weld on some shock tabs above the axle and you retain your stock shocks plus additional clearance under the axle tubes (assuming you cut away the old mounts)

[moonbuggy]

go to KYB.com and order KYB MONO-MAX shocks for your application ie: year, make and lift height (they get a free "plug" cause their business has saved my business more than ). when in doubt "gas it", but the rig's gotta take it........... put your dough into 1) shocks, 2) brakes, 3) tires, 4)tune-up. also check motor mounts and oil cooler lines....and then GO, just say GO, she said it, they said it, we've all said it.................GOOOOOOOOOOO, see ya there!

[Lumpy]

go to KYB.com and order KYB MONO-MAX shocks for your application ie: year, make and lift height ...

I don't see any "lift height" options. Only stock or lowered.

Lump

[doyoulikeithere]

I plan on a 4" lift but I don't want to change out the brand new shocks I jut put in the back. The shocks will be 2 inches too short according to the Rancho vs Monroe spec comparison. I might just get the Overland shock relo kit to get rid of the problem.

I have been looking at older S10 trucks axle Mounts. I notice that The S10 has a steel squarish plate with 4 holes in it, and 2 ubolts, on each end of the axle where the springs bolt up.
Those square plates mount under the axle in an S10 configuration, but could easily be used above the axle in an Astrosafari. also they have a post on them for a shock-mount.

I suspect that if you were to buy 4 u-bolts, and those 2 plates from an S10, You could trim away a bit of excess material from your axle, and use the 4 u-bolt system to not only mount the axle, but maybe even use the stock shocks on a lifted van, because the plate with the shock-mount post will sit above the axle.

I'm not positive if the stock shocks will mount that way, but for sure the 4 u-bolts will be way stronger than those wimpy clamshell clamp things that hold the axle on now.