Extended shock tower question

[Lando375]

I'm looking at a few different 3.5" lifts. Some have single extended shock towers and some dont. I don't plan on wheeling just cruising around. I'm sure I know the answer but I have to ask. On the street, are extended shocks going to handle or ride better than standard shocks of the same brand? I don't mind cutting off the old towers but won't if there's no benefit.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DirtDonk]

No benefit for you.
The main reason for extended length shock mounts is wheel travel.
Since you won’t be flexing out your suspension off-road, there’s very little (if any) reason to go to the extra effort and expense to extend the shock mounts.
Certainly no handling benefits on the road that I can think of. That would have more to do with shock valveing than shock length.

 

[SteveL]

Many of the old school set ups come with double shock hoops. It helped for stability with the lift. With the newer technology such as bilstiens or other high end shocks a good single at each corner rides better. Your application may not require longer travel shocks but buying good ones to match the lift will give you far better ride quality.

 

[bax]

I tend to disagree to a point. What Steve L and Mr. Donk have stated is all true. But a 3.5'' lifted truck with a 34'' tire and wheel will have a higher sprung weight. The lift alone will require new shocks. You will have inherently have more travel. Might as well match the shock to the travel you will have. The factory shock mount becomes the limiting factor. You may not need shock hoops and you really dont need double shocks. But I feel you do need an extended shock mount.

 

[.94 OR]

Don't rule out adding a sway bar in the front as well. I went from having 4 stiff shocks in the front to 2 Bilstein's when I put WH progressive rate 2.5" springs on. It was super limber and had more body roll than I was comfortable with. Hellwig bar straightened it out. I did add the F-250 shock towers to get the tall shocks in place.

 

[Broncobowsher]

For street and mild off-road, shock mounts will give all the travel you will need/use. Extended shock mounts will be for looks/bragging rights and nothing else. Ride quality and handling will still be controlled by the spring and damper rates. adding a longer damper with the same rate as a shorter one won't change the ride, unless you reach the limits of the damper stroke, which you won't. There is plenty of stroke in the stock setup for not only just cruising around, but also for mild through fairly aggressive off-roading.

Modern good riding soft sprung suspension will drive much nicer on the street with a sway bar.

 

[Lando375]

Thanks guys. Thats pretty much what I was thinking. I was going to add them but it would purely be for looks if I did it. I do plan on getting the roll bar too.

On a side note. If I were to go with them, would I need to modify the inner fender in any way? I do plan on getting a body lift as well.

 

[.94 OR]

Thanks guys. Thats pretty much what I was thinking. I was going to add them but it would purely be for looks if I did it. I do plan on getting the roll bar too.

On a side note. If I were to go with them, would I need to modify the inner fender in any way? I do plan on getting a body lift as well.

Roll bar and sway bar are not the same animal.

"Go with them, requiring inner fender work?" Go with shock mounts or sway bar? The shock mounts go where you put them. The sway bar should clear.

 

[Lando375]

Roll bar and sway bar are not the same animal.

"Go with them, requiring inner fender work?" Go with shock mounts or sway bar? The shock mounts go where you put them. The sway bar should clear.

My mistake. I meant sway bar.

After reading my last post, I could see where the confusion is. I was asking if I would need to modify my inner fenders if I used extended shock towers. I just looked at a few installations and found some will and some won't.

 

[.94 OR]

It would depend on what you are installing. The old school hoops that were sold to hold dual shocks were all within the inner fender. The F250 towers are mounted where you position them and they fit fine just inside the fender as well.

I welded F250 towers in so they were just shy of the top of the wheel well. Set on the ground then measured length needed and ordered the length I needed. Some of the vendors should be able to get you pretty close on shock length if they know you are running stock or extended shock tower lengths.

 

[sprdv1]

Thanks guys. Thats pretty much what I was thinking. I was going to add them but it would purely be for looks if I did it. I do plan on getting the roll bar too.

On a side note. If I were to go with them, would I need to modify the inner fender in any way? I do plan on getting a body lift as well.

Roll bar is a must for sure