Drop Shocks? How to tell

[scuderia]

So my truck was lowered by PO, probably by heating springs (I know and will deal with later) for now I'd like to get new shocks. How can I tell how much my truck has been lowered and if I need drop shocks and if so what length?

[PGSigns]

Just pull a tape on the shocks with it sitting just like it is. That will give you an installed length. Most shocks have the part number stamped in the bottom tube to help figure out what you have now. When you look at new shocks you can use the length number you got to see if they will work. Going by the picture you have some drop in the front, maybe 2" and not to much in the rear.
Jimmy

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Just pull a tape on the shocks with it sitting just like it is. That will give you an installed length. Most shocks have the part number stamped in the bottom tube to help figure out what you have now. When you look at new shocks you can use the length number you got to see if they will work. Going by the picture you have some drop in the front, maybe 2" and not to much in the rear.
Jimmy

does a 2" drop require or is there a benefit to dropped shocks? thanks for the info

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by scuderia

does a 2" drop require or is there a benefit to dropped shocks? thanks for the info

bump

[joedoh]

you will benefit from a drop shock. that looks more like a 4" drop, and you will beat the freak out of a stock length shock. unfortunately no one lists shocks by installed length online, although I have looked at a book at an auto parts store.

and let me say drop shocks are not my favorite way to do this. the best way is to put in a stock length shock and raise the mounts. short shocks have short travel and, especially with bags, short shocks can get beat up and worn out very quickly.

[PGSigns]

For a 2" drop a stock length shock works just fine. To figure the installed height of a shock take the extended length and the full compressed length split the difference about 60 40 with 60 being for compression. Most over looked aspect of shocks is valving. Getting a set that is valved for the application gives the best ride and will last better than a poorly valved shock.
Jimmy

[joedoh]

good advice, but like I said before that is not a two inch drop. I think the slope of the street is making it look less than it is.

so to prove it, I took a line through the center of the hubs as flat, and measured the angle of the rocker panel against it. I got 2.5 degrees. the wheelbase is 118" so tan 2.5*118 = amount of drop (in this case, actually how much higher the truck is at the rear wheel than the front, which is the same thing) and I get 5 inches of drop.

feel free to double check my math, pobodys nerfect. the point is a stock shock on THIS truck will get bottomed out and pounded to pieces with the 5" drop, even if we figure it is 1" lower in the front from stock, thats still a 4" drop.

[scuderia]

anyone got a quick way to estimate the front drop? Can I compare fender or bumper height to a stock truck?? I suspect that it's more than 2" as was mentioned and I'm leaning towards making up some relocation brackets along these lines... Then I can just go with a stock length shock yes?

[joedoh]

I just estimated it! get a cheap angle finder, park on level ground, measure the angle of the rocker. use the calculator in your phone (turn it sideways and the scientific will pop up). enter the angle you found, press "tan", then multiply that result by 118. that will give you drop from level, but looking at stock trucks the front was lower than the rear by about an inch.

yes you can raise the mount and go with a stock shock, as long as you raise it enough.

[scuderia]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I just estimated it! get a cheap angle finder, park on level ground, measure the angle of the rocker. use the calculator in your phone (turn it sideways and the scientific will pop up). enter the angle you found, press "tan", then multiply that result by 118. that will give you drop from level, but looking at stock trucks the front was lower than the rear by about an inch.

yes you can raise the mount and go with a stock shock, as long as you raise it enough.

Thanks so much, I'll give it a try...