Do I need shock extensions? Sport S with Rubicon Suspension and Fat Bob's leveling kit

[Jesnamy01]

Do I need shock extensions? 2022 Sport S with Rubicon Takeoff Suspension and Fat Bob's Garage 2.5" leveling kit (https://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/jeep-gladiator-jt-25-lift-leveling-kit-2020-2022-p35185.aspx)
The kit does not come with shock extensions and they said it is not required, but I wanted to ask people who drive their gladiator's advice.
Do not go off-road. Is not a daily driver.

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[Hootbro]

I think you need shock extensions at least for the front. Past 1.5", you are beyond the margins of the shocks, especially for a kit that lacks bump stops.

 

[Jesnamy01]

Thanks. You have confirmed what I thought.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

OK, not "contradicting" or "arguing" this, but I'm trying to wrap my head around what bump stops have to do with a lift as far as shocks.
I can see a need for bump stop extensions with a spacer lift especially to prevent springs from bottoming, but not in conjunction with stock shocks on a spacer lifted truck.

So, here's how I am viewing it - correct me if I am wrong, please. I'll use Rubicon for example as I don't have shock numbers for Overland like my own, which I'm modifying a tad with spacers, springs, etc.

Rubicon FRONT stock shocks are 23.875 extended all the way and 15.875 compressed all the way.
That's a travel of 8" total, fully collapsed to fully extended.
For sake of simplicity and argument's sake, let's say on a stock Rubicon the shocks sit at mid-travel.
They can extend 4" from normal curb height before hitting the end of UP travel, or they can compress 4" from there before bottoming out internally.

You lift the truck 2" exactly.
Now the shock sits 2" extended from center at the new height. It is no longer centered.
It can only go up another 2" before topping out, but - it can go down 6" before hitting bottom.
You will "bottom the spring" before you bottom out the shock.
However, if you come off a pavement dip and the body rises, you hit the max upper travel of the shock in only 2" of travel.
Bump stops have no impact on the shock since they prevent "bottoming" - at least in MY VIEW.
You'll smack the spring coils against each other but the shock won't bottom as it can now go 6" down since it's sitting extended further than normal.
Summary as we stand so far - shock can compress or go down with the body 6" where it only had 4" before. Shock can only extend 2" now after the 2" lift so some bumps it's going to "top out".

Enter the shock extension -
Same shock, same 8" total range of travel. With 2" lift it's sitting at 6" extended. It can only extend another 2" meaning a body jounce will top the shock out.
Shock extension shoves the shock back down closer to center. IF the extension is a 2" extension, now the shock is put right back in the center - it can again go up 4" and can go down 4".

And this is where I personally see the bump stop extension coming into play - to prevent the shock from bottoming out with a lift, and prevent spring binding on a hard down-travel.
It appears the bump stop doesn't matter if you don't extend the shocks as they have a lot more down travel before bottoming, but, the spring could bottom out.
And for up-travel, the bump stop doesn't do anything anyway, so it can't stop a shock from topping out if you don't have extensions.

So, is my thinking all wet, and if so, how?

Sorry for the length - ADHD and perceptual reasoning and perceptual comprehension means I have to be able to see or visualize it and have it in my own words. I'm one of the few on the planet wired this way. Thank my mother and her father.........

 

[Jesnamy01]

Good explanation and that was sort of my thoughts on the change in the up and down travel which is why I posted the question. Thanks

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