How much travel should a shock have? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Olden Days · 09-25-2007, 11:36 AM

I recently bought used 2 inch lift springs with rancho shocks. I installed springs and went to put on the shocks which I double checked (on their website) the part# for being correct for 0 - 2 " lift and had to extend them completly to get them on with no room at all left for more extention. I dont believe that could be right so I ordered some skyjackers that claim to be for 2 -4 inch lift. well I went to install and had to compress them to where there is only 2" left for downward travel. I dont believe that could right either. So how much travel should one have in both directions ???? how can I find the right ones??? thanks Jerry

**special-K** · 09-25-2007, 09:22 PM

Those would be stock length shocks.The 2"-4" are what you need.The compression/extension should be eual.

Olden Days · 09-25-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Those would be stock length shocks.The 2"-4" are what you need.The compression/extension should be eual.

Thanks for reply. I must not be explaining it right. I do currently have the 2-4 inch shocks on there now (skyjacker). but they seem too long and just to get them installed had to compress to the point where there is only 2 inches of dowwnward travel left in the shock before it bottoms. There needs to be more travel than that before bottoming doesnt there?

**special-K** · 09-26-2007, 06:57 AM

I meant the first ones you had (0-2") would be stock.Maybe the springs need to settle?I`ve never noticed much settling,though.How much overall travel do these shocks have?It should ride about center of that.The suspension does tend to droop more than compress in normal driving.But,offroad shocks should give more travel for such use.Did you measure the truck height before and after lift?I`m curious how much the lift actually netted.

vtblazer · 09-27-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

The compression/extension should be equal.

Best case scenario.

Have any pics you can post?
Is everything else still stock?

Your suspension needs to be able to cycle and shocks beitng either to long or to short won't allow for that.
(you of course already know that, hence the thread

)

chiggly626 · 09-27-2007, 02:45 PM

Put your truck on a lift (or whatever you have handy) so that the axles are hanging free with no weight on them. Measure the distance between shock mounts and get some shocks about 1" longer (just for good luck). This should get you close with your off the shelf standard shocks.

bowtier · 09-27-2007, 03:22 PM

Let me know what you need eye to eye compressed and extended. I have a set of rancho's I barely used and they might be just the size you need. I'd let you have 'em for shipping. * That may be the prohibitive factor from PA to CA. I'll never use them though so let me know.

Olden Days · 09-28-2007, 01:04 AM

thanks for all the replies. I will have to get some measurements and get back with you Bowtier on that nice offer

LONGHAIR · 09-30-2007, 04:50 PM

The compessed length is important. You need to have more travel in the shock than the distance from the bump-stop to the pad where it hits. If the compressed length of the shock is too long it will break the shock mounts or bolts. A shock that is too short is not as destructive. It will limit the downward travel (rebound) which will affect the ride quality. There are many vehicles on the road that have suspunsion travel limited by the shocks though. For street driving, you might be ok, for 'wheeling it won't work though.

09-25-2007, 11:36 AM	#1
Olden Days Living In The Past Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rockies Posts: 709	How much travel should a shock have? I recently bought used 2 inch lift springs with rancho shocks. I installed springs and went to put on the shocks which I double checked (on their website) the part# for being correct for 0 - 2 " lift and had to extend them completly to get them on with no room at all left for more extention. I dont believe that could be right so I ordered some skyjackers that claim to be for 2 -4 inch lift. well I went to install and had to compress them to where there is only 2" left for downward travel. I dont believe that could right either. So how much travel should one have in both directions ???? how can I find the right ones??? thanks Jerry Last edited by Olden Days; 09-25-2007 at 11:39 AM.

09-25-2007, 09:22 PM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: How much travel should a shock have? Those would be stock length shocks.The 2"-4" are what you need.The compression/extension should be eual. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 09-25-2007 at 09:23 PM.

09-26-2007, 06:57 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: How much travel should a shock have? I meant the first ones you had (0-2") would be stock.Maybe the springs need to settle?I`ve never noticed much settling,though.How much overall travel do these shocks have?It should ride about center of that.The suspension does tend to droop more than compress in normal driving.But,offroad shocks should give more travel for such use.Did you measure the truck height before and after lift?I`m curious how much the lift actually netted. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-27-2007, 02:45 PM	#6
chiggly626 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 19	Re: How much travel should a shock have? Put your truck on a lift (or whatever you have handy) so that the axles are hanging free with no weight on them. Measure the distance between shock mounts and get some shocks about 1" longer (just for good luck). This should get you close with your off the shelf standard shocks.

09-27-2007, 03:22 PM	#7
bowtier Nobody rides free Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,076	Re: How much travel should a shock have? Let me know what you need eye to eye compressed and extended. I have a set of rancho's I barely used and they might be just the size you need. I'd let you have 'em for shipping. * That may be the prohibitive factor from PA to CA. I'll never use them though so let me know. __________________ '71 C10 LWB 400SB/350TH '86 K2O LWB 350SB/400TH-6" tuff country lift, Shackle flip - plow truck '06 HHR - wifes wheels '01 Blazer - daily driver "It's better to burn out than it is to rust." -Neil Young

09-28-2007, 01:04 AM	#8
Olden Days Living In The Past Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rockies Posts: 709	Re: How much travel should a shock have? thanks for all the replies. I will have to get some measurements and get back with you Bowtier on that nice offer

09-30-2007, 04:50 PM	#9
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: How much travel should a shock have? The compessed length is important. You need to have more travel in the shock than the distance from the bump-stop to the pad where it hits. If the compressed length of the shock is too long it will break the shock mounts or bolts. A shock that is too short is not as destructive. It will limit the downward travel (rebound) which will affect the ride quality. There are many vehicles on the road that have suspunsion travel limited by the shocks though. For street driving, you might be ok, for 'wheeling it won't work though.



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