Can shocks be too long

[wchevron]

Thinking of adding a Clayton 1.5" leveling kit to the front and a 1" spacer to the rear. If I bought 4 Fox 2.0 2-3" lift shocks, would I have any issues in the rear since I'm only installing a 1" spacer?

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[AmishMike]

Maybe.
If your shocks bottom out before the rest of your suspension, that is a problem. Could be bent frame kind of problem.

 

[Zero_Accel]

I would think you run the risk of bottoming out on the shock tube instead of your bump stop, could end up damaging your shocks.

 

[CrazyCooter]

You should be fine....rears for sure, but verify the fronts. I was running 2-3" out back and 3.5-4.5" up front with 1" extra bump spacing.

 

[NERokToy]

The chart I found on this forum lists 4 different fox shocks for 2-3" lift:
Fox 2-3" lift rear shocks collapsed length = 18.5", 17.4", 17.35", and 17.93"

Factory rear shocks collapsed length = 17.5"

With that info you can figure out what you need to do, if your new shocks are longer then stock I would extend the bump stops. You DO NOT want your shocks limiting compression travel, this will lead to destroying your expensive shocks and possibly your shock mounts.

 

[jac04]

I'll add that you also need to look at what the shocks allow for full droop (max downtravel) of the suspension, especially if using longer shocks with a simple spacer or leveling kit. Too much droop can cause driveshaft issues as well as problems with locker wiring, axle vents & brake lines being too short.

 

[bleda2002]

I'll add that you also need to look at what the shocks allow for full droop (max downtravel) of the suspension, especially if using longer shocks with a simple spacer or leveling kit. Too much droop can cause driveshaft issues as well as problems with locker wiring, axle vents & brake lines being too short.

And in the rear of the gladiator, the coil springs falling out

 

[wchevron]

Thanks for all the responses. Once I get all my parts together I'll post again. I'm sure i'll have more questions.

 

[NERokToy]

Too much droop can cause driveshaft issues as well as problems with locker wiring, axle vents & brake lines being too short.

Too much droop will also damage shocks! I don't care so much on my Toyota as it just has Rancho RS5012's, if I was running a more expensive shock and knew I would at least occasionally max out suspension flex I would for sure have real limiting straps to save the shocks. On the gladiator putting coil retainers on the rear may be enough and is a worthwhile investment anyway

 

[TomH]

Too much droop is solved by using limiting straps. You don't want to rely on the shocks to stop droop.

 

[hjdca]

I am using the TERAFLEX REAR UPPER/LOWER COIL SPRING RETAINER KIT for the Gladiator. It works great, is not expensive, and is easy to install when you install your lift kit. No more shifting of the rear Gladiator springs, and better than limiting straps in my opinion.

 

[jac04]

... You don't want to rely on the shocks to stop droop.

Maybe I'm not fully understanding what you are saying. But, in stock form (and with most lifts), max droop is the result of maximum shock extension, meaning that the shocks stop droop.

 

[TomH]

Something like this. These will stop the axle droop just before the shock hits full extension

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Maybe I'm not fully understanding what you are saying. But, in stock form (and with most lifts), max droop is the result of maximum shock extension, meaning that the shocks stop droop.

Stock form, it's the sway bar that stops droop.

 

[jac04]

Stock form, it's the sway bar that stops droop.

Not on my JT (or my JK).

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