Shocking results. Installed new LCA, new front coils, one inch Teraflex spacer to level Gladiator

[JTMXT]

Installed new LCA,new front coils,one inch teraflex spacer to level gladiator. Results are awesome and highly enjoyable. Have question ay shocks. Shocks range from 16 inch fully compressed to 24 inches fully extended. Sitting on level ground shocks set at 21 inches. Have 8 inches travel. As it is now have 5 inches compression length and 3 inches extension length. If install shock extenders. Will have 3 inches compression length and 5 inches extension length. No one inch shock extenders. Should I leave it as is or add shock extenders? Until I upgrade to new shocks. Thanks!

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[Clarkr32]

looks great but on your end i wonder is the updated wow factor the ride or the look to you?

 

[Tim H]

I would leave it as is. I've been running the 1.5" spacer and bump stop on the front of my JTR with no shock changes. I don't do hard crawling but some pretty good trails for overlanding. I've put it in some good off camber postions with one front tire off the ground without issues.

 

[JTMXT]

looks great but on your end i wonder is the updated wow factor the ride or the look to you?

Love the ride and look?,just not sure if shock extenders are needed. Thanks

 

[JTMXT]

I would leave it as is. I've been running the 1.5" spacer and bump stop on the front of my JTR with no shock changes. I don't do hard crawling but some pretty good trails for overlanding. I've put it in some good off camber postions with one front tire off the ground without issues.

THANKS

 

[mx5red]

What is your goal, driving fast or crawling? Do you know how much uptravel you have before something else (hopefully bump stops) hit? Can you go up 3”? 5”? If you only have 3” anyway then having 5” of compression doesn’t help..
If possible I would leave the extenders out so I would have more compression, but you should figure out your bump stop requirements and use that information. When you added springs did they include bump stop extensions? Most lifts do, 2” or more is common.
if they didn’t, and you’re running stock tires and shocks, then there is no need for extensions. Your shocks will just be closer to full extension, but you’ll have more compression to play with if bombing down fire roads.
What you don’t want is for your shocks to get to full compression before your bump stops hit. This is usually an issue when you get longer shocks, not an issue for OEM, but it could be an issue if you add shock extensions to OEM and you don’t add any bump stop extensions.
For example, an AEV spacer lift adds 2” to the springs, 2” to the shock extensions, and 2” of bump stop extensions. So the stock shocks shouldn’t be bottoming out despite the extensions.
They do this to make room for bigger tires, but at the expense of some up travel. If you were sticking with OEM tires then you could skip the shock extensions and bump stop extensions. You follow me?

An argument I could see for having more extension (using the shock extensions) is for crawling, it does help to articulate down so your tires get grip instead of being in the air.

 

[JTMXT]

What is your goal, driving fast or crawling? Do you know how much uptravel you have before something else (hopefully bump stops) hit? Can you go up 3”? 5”? If you only have 3” anyway then having 5” of compression doesn’t help..
If possible I would leave the extenders out so I would have more compression, but you should figure out your bump stop requirements and use that information. When you added springs did they include bump stop extensions? Most lifts do, 2” or more is common.
if they didn’t, and you’re running stock tires and shocks, then there is no need for extensions. Your shocks will just be closer to full extension, but you’ll have more compression to play with if bombing down fire roads.
What you don’t want is for your shocks to get to full compression before your bump stops hit. This is usually an issue when you get longer shocks, not an issue for OEM, but it could be an issue if you add shock extensions to OEM and you don’t add any bump stop extensions.
For example, an AEV spacer lift adds 2” to the springs, 2” to the shock extensions, and 2” of bump stop extensions. So the stock shocks shouldn’t be bottoming out despite the extensions.
They do this to make room for bigger tires, but at the expense of some up travel. If you were sticking with OEM tires then you could skip the shock extensions and bump stop extensions. You follow me?

An argument I could see for having more extension (using the shock extensions) is for crawling, it does help to articulate down so your tires get grip instead of being in the air.

Thank you sir, no rock crawling , trails and hunting club and farm . Installed one Inch spacer and one inch bump stop extension. So bump stop spacing should be as before. Appreciate the advice.?

 

[mx5red]

Thank you sir, no rock crawling , trails and hunting club and farm . Installed one Inch spacer and one inch bump stop extension. So bump stop spacing should be as before. Appreciate the advice.?

If you have stock tires and no shock extensions, I’m not sure you need the bump stop extensions unless there is something else aftermarket that may hit… coil springs may bind, aftermarket steering stabilizer relocation can hit frame, etc.
Without anything else aftermarket I think I’d remove the bump stop extensions.

 

[JTMXT]

Yes sir , I installed one inch teraflex leveling kit, also installed oem springs from a heavier gladiator Mac tow, higher curb weight this less payload. Did this to accommodate weight of upcoming winch and bumper.The two gave me nearly 1 7/8 lift on front. Teraflex recommends and supplies one inch bump stop with it's kit. So I installed as recommended by teraflex .only thing I was nt sure of was shocks.o haveore compression travel length,5 inches than expansion travel length,3 inches. Two inch shock extenders only going to reverse that. Didn't know which way would be best, or if it really matters that close to center. thanks!

 

[texanjeeper]

I have installed the Teraflex kit, 1.5 inch total, and I didn't need extensions for the shocks. I've never had them bump as far as I know and the ride didn't change at all.

 

[JTMXT]

I have installed the Teraflex kit, 1.5 inch total, and I didn't need extensions for the shocks. I've never had them bump as far as I know and the ride didn't change at all.

?

 

[NERokToy]

only thing I was nt sure of was shocks.o haveore compression travel length,5 inches than expansion travel length,3 inches. Two inch shock extenders only going to reverse that. Didn't know which way would be best, or if it really matters that close to center. thanks!

Do your research on shocks. It is unfortunate all of the shock manufacturers list their shocks by lift hight now, when lift height doesn't matter much, bump stops matter. There are a few shocks that offer a fair amount more travel taking into account the 1" bumpstop. I actually asked a popular gladiator lift manufacturer why they suggested a certain manufacturers shock that matched their lift height when their next next longer shick would work and offer more wheel travel... that suspension manufacturer changed their shock recommendations.


Keep in mind there is no offroad situation where you want more compression travel then extension. Watch a trophy truck catch some air or a purpose built rock crawler on the trail... shit find some books on automotive engineering and even onroad comfort and performance use roughly 30/70 compression/extension.

The answer is always run the longest shocks your bumpstops will allow and if necessary limit down travel with limiting straps (the shade tree answer for affordable limiting straps is chain, and a real rubber bungee cord keeping them tight so they don't rattle).

Plan on my Willy's is 2" of lift in the front and will add 2" bumpstops because compression travel isn't n issue and run the longest shocks that will fit. Either Rancho monotubes or Bilstein 5100s. Remember extending your bumpstops allows greater wheel travel

 

[JTMXT]

Do your research on shocks. It is unfortunate all of the shock manufacturers list their shocks by lift hight now, when lift height doesn't matter much, bump stops matter. There are a few shocks that offer a fair amount more travel taking into account the 1" bumpstop. I actually asked a popular gladiator lift manufacturer why they suggested a certain manufacturers shock that matched their lift height when their next next longer shick would work and offer more wheel travel... that suspension manufacturer changed their shock recommendations.


Keep in mind there is no offroad situation where you want more compression travel then extension. Watch a trophy truck catch some air or a purpose built rock crawler on the trail... shit find some books on automotive engineering and even onroad comfort and performance use roughly 30/70 compression/extension.

The answer is always run the longest shocks your bumpstops will allow and if necessary limit down travel with limiting straps (the shade tree answer for affordable limiting straps is chain, and a real rubber bungee cord keeping them tight so they don't rattle).

Plan on my Willy's is 2" of lift in the front and will add 2" bumpstops because compression travel isn't n issue and run the longest shocks that will fit. Either Rancho monotubes or Bilstein 5100s. Remember extending your bumpstops allows greater wheel travel

Thank you sir, when I added front spacer and springs ,1.5 inches total lift, I also added one inch bump stop. Haven't added shocks or shock extenders as of yet. Have teraflex shock extenders 2 inch as they don't have a one inch version. May add to see until I upgrade shocks all together.?

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