need help with possible shock topping with lift

[ltdodge]

I installed a 2.5" Clayton lift with an additional ¾" leveling puck to level the truck. The shocks provided are Fox 2.0 (FOX-985-24-177) with a listed maximum extended length of 26.35". While driving, the suspension feels fine on compression when hitting bumps, but on rebound it feels harsh, almost like the shock is topping out.


I measured the front shocks at ride height (eye-to-eye) and they are sitting at approximately 25". That only leaves about 1.35" of drop travel before full extension. From what I understand, this seems very limited and may be causing the harsh rebound I’m feeling. I also experience occasional death wobble on larger bumps, which I suspect may be related.


Does this amount of drop sound too short for the lift? If so, what shock extended length would be recommended without risking the coil springs unseating from the perches?

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[Bandit’s Lair]

That shock is for a 2-3” lift. From my understanding you’re at 3 1/4” now with the puck. And you’re right. 1.35” of droop is not even close to enough, in my opinion. Even if the shock is only 1/4” out of spec you should be getting a bit more I’d think. Something is out of whack.

 

[ltdodge]

That shock is for a 2-3” lift. From my understanding you’re at 3 1/4” now with the puck. And you’re right. 1.35” of droop is not even close to enough, in my opinion. Even if the shock is only 1/4” out of spec you should be getting a bit more I’d think. Something is out of whack.

clayton says thier 2.5" lift is higher than that. not sure why they do that, makes no sense

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

clayton says thier 2.5" lift is higher than that. not sure why they do that, makes no sense

Good point. Clayton’s do traditionally come out higher than advertised. It’s to allow for settling and addition of extra “stuff” I believe. Winches, bumpers, part and pieces from zombie hordes….that kinda thing.
Did Clayton recommend a shock to you? They do pretty exhaustive testing from what I’ve seen online and should be able to get you sorted with an accurate part number.

 

[GuzziMoto]

Usually for a 4x4 you want the shocks at around the middle of their travel at ride height.
Three options that would help; longer shocks, shock extensions, or remove the spacers.
Unless you have a route that would allow you to swap those shocks for a longer set easily / at little cost, I would be looking at shock extensions. A 2" / 2.5" shock extension should help. Combine that with removing the spring spacer and it would be even better.
But longer shocks would be the best solution in my opinion.
How much bumpstop extension are you running?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

clayton says thier 2.5" lift is higher than that. not sure why they do that, makes no sense

Clayton lift height is based on the rear lift on a Rubicon model.

I can measure between the shock eyes on mine when I get home. Is it possible you got the 3.5" springs? Did you check the part #s?

I'm using Bilstein 5100 shocks with mine, but I don't have the part #s with me. I'll check that too.

 

[ltdodge]

Clayton lift height is based on the rear lift on a Rubicon model.

I can measure between the shock eyes on mine when I get home. Is it possible you got the 3.5" springs? Did you check the part #s?

I'm using Bilstein 5100 shocks with mine, but I don't have the part #s with me. I'll check that too.

thanks appreciate that.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I’m at 23” eye to eye on the front.

2.5” Clayton coils and no spacer. Probably as light as you can get in the front with a plastic bumper and no winch.

I thought I could see the part # on my shocks, but didn’t see it.

 

[rharr]

Have you tried cool whip? that makes a pretty good topping on things?

 

[ltdodge]

I’m at 23” eye to eye on the front.

2.5” Clayton coils and no spacer. Probably as light as you can get in the front with a plastic bumper and no winch.

I thought I could see the part # on my shocks, but didn’t see it.

thanks

 

[Free2roam]

@Clayton Off Road

 

[JonUpdegrove]

I installed a 2.5" Clayton lift with an additional ¾" leveling puck to level the truck. The shocks provided are Fox 2.0 (FOX-985-24-177) with a listed maximum extended length of 26.35". While driving, the suspension feels fine on compression when hitting bumps, but on rebound it feels harsh, almost like the shock is topping out.


I measured the front shocks at ride height (eye-to-eye) and they are sitting at approximately 25". That only leaves about 1.35" of drop travel before full extension. From what I understand, this seems very limited and may be causing the harsh rebound I’m feeling. I also experience occasional death wobble on larger bumps, which I suspect may be related.


Does this amount of drop sound too short for the lift? If so, what shock extended length would be recommended without risking the coil springs unseating from the perches?

Your eye to eye measurement in the front should be around 22” +/- 1/4” for that damper to be used. That would allow for the optimal 50% range for up travel and down travel. If you are at 25” eye to eye, then you would have gained nearly 5” of lift height and need a damper with a collapsed height of around 20.5-21”. That lift alone should have put you at 23” eye to eye on the front like the other guy mentioned with a 60% used on uptravel and on 40% available for down travel

I just came out of a rabbit hole on all of these measurements myself with excel spreadsheets if you need more information on all of this stuff.

 

[Idlethunder]

The Clayton 2.5 Overland lift gave me a little over 3.5" up front initially and it eventually settled to about 3.25". That is on my Rubicon with 180 pounds of full steel bumper and 12k winch. I'm using Falcon 3.1 shocks with an extended length of 27.5" and I've never had problems like you describe. I don't have the leveling pucks either so I've got an extra 2.25" you don't have

 

[Clayton Off Road]

I installed a 2.5" Clayton lift with an additional ¾" leveling puck to level the truck. The shocks provided are Fox 2.0 (FOX-985-24-177) with a listed maximum extended length of 26.35". While driving, the suspension feels fine on compression when hitting bumps, but on rebound it feels harsh, almost like the shock is topping out.


I measured the front shocks at ride height (eye-to-eye) and they are sitting at approximately 25". That only leaves about 1.35" of drop travel before full extension. From what I understand, this seems very limited and may be causing the harsh rebound I’m feeling. I also experience occasional death wobble on larger bumps, which I suspect may be related.


Does this amount of drop sound too short for the lift? If so, what shock extended length would be recommended without risking the coil springs unseating from the perches?

Hello!

I believe I spoke with you this morning on the phone. Were you by chance the person with the hemi swap and the front coil springs swapped out? If so, like we talked about, swapping to the diesel springs from us will do the trick. If not, that is an unusual situation and definitely not enough travel for the shock, so I would say please give us a call when you have some time so we can help you out!

 

[ltdodge]

Hello!

I believe I spoke with you this morning on the phone. Were you by chance the person with the hemi swap and the front coil springs swapped out? If so, like we talked about, swapping to the diesel springs from us will do the trick. If not, that is an unusual situation and definitely not enough travel for the shock, so I would say please give us a call when you have some time so we can help you out!

yes I spoke with you. i appreciate your help. im gonna see if i swap out diesel springs or get longer shocks

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