Newbie suspension question: shock lengths

[STROOLKA]

Alright, so to start off, I’ve lifted my ‘22 JT Mojave 2” with the AEV spacer lift.
I like the ride height and don’t want to lift higher in the foreseeable future (more complication and cost with additional needed parts, higher to get into for wife and kids).

However I do plan on replacing my shocks and springs down the road so I actually get more suspension travel versus the AEV kit.

I’m eyeing some shocks which are intended for a 3.5-4.5” lift. Obviously that’s taller than mine.

My question is, is there any reason I can’t use these and limit them to a 2” lift?

I know one of the main issues with using longer shocks for a shorter l
I’ve found that the JTM shocks are:
Compressed. Extended
Front - 15.75”. 23.75”
Rear - 17.75”. 25.75”

the shocks I’m looking at are
Compressed. Extended
Front - 17.00”. 27.14
Rear- 18.93. 28.47

So basically so long as my bump stops are adjusted to stop travel at a minimum of 1.25” sooner than stock ( if I was lazy and just kept the AEV 2” bump stop spacer in) then I wouldn’t bottom out the shock.

Would another potential issue be that the shocks would allow the axle to droop too far down and drop out the springs? Could a potential fix be longer springs or limiting straps?

Is there any other reason I would need to trash this idea in lieu of a larger lift?

Thank you, I honestly want to understand suspension better.

Sponsored

 

[Svenable]

Until you see how your lift is working you might try shock extensions instead of changing axle travel outside of AEV's recommendations for their lift. I am not sure selecting shocks that limit up travel provides any benefit unless there are other suspension interference issues.

I usually look for shocks that maximize total travel and up travel is usually the limiting issue. Less up travel means you hit the bump stops more often impacting ride quality. I have King hydraulic bump stops on my front to soften the up travel harshness.

Too much droop without limiting straps will pull brake lines apart unless changed and damage the shock if the shock is the down travel limiter.

 

[RudeJeepin]

The rears will definitely be a problem with the springs dropping out.
I used this to fix my issue.
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...z36wYjdRsmIrjb38IOJmZLlS1o1cO3TMaAnjfEALw_wcB
You'll have to double check your brake lines also.
But shock spacers might be a good option also. Then you can retain the Mojave shocks until you have more time to do some measuring.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Depending on the valving of the shocks, you may end up getting a weird ride out of this setup too. Most shocks are valved to have a certain compression within the travel of the shock. If you effectively change where that shock travels within the tube by adding bumps outside of the designed specs it can do some crazy things to ride quality. It’ll basically be an unknown until you do it as far as if it’ll work. My advice is do some research and talk to some shock people about long travel shocks for the length of coils/lift you already have if you don’t want to go higher. Long travel on an LCG setup is possible but it’s not the norm so custom parameters need to be met.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

The only shocks I’ve used that add suspension travel in stock to 3”-4” of lift are Bilstein 5400’s. But only an inch at a time. From 0-2”, 2-4”, of lift.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Best to have shocks that match your lift height. There are options out there for shocks with multiple internal clip locations, allowing them to be used for a larger range of lift sizes. But for a two inch lift, I’d probably use good quality extensions from teraflex or others. I’ve seen the teraflex ones and helped install them. They’re very nice, and an inexpensive bridge before swapping shocks.

Sponsored