Need Shock Length Help 74 3 1/2 lift Extended Arms

[JeepGuy]

Hello,

So when I tore this bronco down... a few years ago... I got rid of the old suspension not thinking it was going to take this long to get it back together... I know... lol

I'm at the stage of ordering shocks and need some measurements.

Here is what I have.

3 1/2 Lift (WH progressive coil front, 11 pack leaf rear),
Extended Radius Arms front (All For Fun)
Long Travel Dual Shock Mount (Bloody Knuckle Garage Hoops).

My front measurement eye to eye is 23 1/2". Rear is 21 1/2.

I do not have the ability to flex the suspension at the moment and kinda want to buy at least the front shocks prior to fully welding the hoops in since there is a little room for adjustments there in regards to alignment and height.

So those of you with a lift and long travel set up, what are you seeing in regards to full compression vs full extension? I have the eye to eye, but need those measurements to get the right shocks.

Initial plan was just running the standard dual James Duff 70/30's up front but now I'm considering single FOX 2" or 2.5" shocks with external reservoirs'. This will be a serious mall crawler;D with occasional Desert running and mild crawling/trail rides.

 

[EPB72]

now I'm considering single FOX 2" or 2.5" shocks with external reservoirs'. This will be a serious mall crawler with occasional Desert running and mild crawling/trail rides.

If this /\ /\ i"d consider contacting Accutune there in Carson .{not sure how close that is to you}but they will custom valve Fox,King ..they will ask for measurment they want and other specifics...

Maybe someone close to you has an old shock you can use to set up your shock mounts,,

 

[JeepGuy]

I live semi close to Kartek out in Corona and they have most of the FOX stuff in stock. But they need the measurements to make sure I get the right shocks.

Somebody on here has to have long travel suspension up front with long arms and shock hoops. All I need to know is how much travel there is Up, and then Down.

 

[SteveL]

What size tires? When I swapped to long arms with my 3.5" bc springs they said 33s would rub without a 2" body lift. With that it left lots of wheel well for clearance. If you're gonna kick out the cash for fox shocks I would ramp test it and get it right. Out where you live you're not to far from the so cal bronco guys.they could probably help you flex it and get the right shock lengths.

 

[garberz]

To determine total collapsed shock length, remove the coil springs and raise the axle up towards the frame. You’ll get a very accurate measurement of how short a shock needs to be able to compress at full bump. Then look for the longest travel shock that fits in that compressed space. Depending on how your shock hoop is made and mounted up, you’re probably looking at a 10”-12” travel shock. Different brand shocks will have different length specs. If your shock measures 23 1/2” at ride height, and you determine you have 4” of up travel at full bump, then you’ll need a shock that has a total collapsed length of less than 19 1/2”.
This pic is a 12” travel Fox 2.5” smoothie, that has a total collapsed length of 20.5”.

Mark

 

[SteveL]

Also when I put mine on either all for fun or Tom's had a doetch tech model they recommended at the time for like $30 each. This was back before everyone started switching to bilstiens and better shocks. That might hold you over until you can check travel add bump stops if you need before spending the big bucks. What rear shock mount you running? I went inboard. The travel is great but I have alot of body roll..

 

[JeepGuy]

To determine total collapsed shock length, remove the coil springs and raise the axle up towards the frame. You’ll get a very accurate measurement of how short a shock needs to be able to compress at full bump. Then look for the longest travel shock that fits in that compressed space. Depending on how your shock hoop is made and mounted up, you’re probably looking at a 10”-12” travel shock. Different brand shocks will have different length specs. If your shock measures 23 1/2” at ride height, and you determine you have 4” of up travel at full bump, then you’ll need a shock that has a total collapsed length of less than 19 1/2”.
This pic is a 12” travel Fox 2.5” smoothie, that has a total collapsed length of 20.5”.

Mark

Perfect. That at least gets me in the ball park of where to start. I'm waiting on rims, then I can mount the tires and flex it out. Didn't want to do that while on jack stands.

Do you have bump stops on that set up and where did you mount them?

 

[JeepGuy]

What size tires? When I swapped to long arms with my 3.5" bc springs they said 33s would rub without a 2" body lift. With that it left lots of wheel well for clearance. If you're gonna kick out the cash for fox shocks I would ramp test it and get it right. Out where you live you're not to far from the so cal bronco guys.they could probably help you flex it and get the right shock lengths.

Also when I put mine on either all for fun or Tom's had a doetch tech model they recommended at the time for like $30 each. This was back before everyone started switching to bilstiens and better shocks. That might hold you over until you can check travel add bump stops if you need before spending the big bucks. What rear shock mount you running? I went inboard. The travel is great but I have alot of body roll..

I've got a 1" body lift on there right now with the 3 1/2 lift. Keeping the rear stock shock mounts for the moment. I like the angle on them and wanted to avoid the body roll.

 

[garberz]

Perfect......Do you have bump stops on that set up and where did you mount them?

I have coil spring inserts for bump stops. The work fine for slow speed crawling.
I would still like to have more of a positive stop for higher speeds. I need to test with the new shocks first and see if they’re still necessary.

Mark

 

[RODRIG3911]

Sounds a lot like my setup. I'm running a 3.5" lift, duff long arms and f250 mounts.. My Eye to eye is 25" though. I'm running 2.5" ADS shocks on mine. They're 30"extended and about 19 collapsed. Your eye to eye is less then mine though. Mark gave you a good idea for what you may need. I'm thinking a 10" travel shock would probably be good for you, but each brand is different like said.

One thing you can do is take your eye to eye. Then measure 1"into bump stop to frame. Then subtract the second number from the eye to eye number. That'll give you a collapsed length. Then find the longest you can with that collapsed length.

 

[JeepGuy]

Sounds a lot like my setup. I'm running a 3.5" lift, duff long arms and f250 mounts.. My Eye to eye is 25" though. I'm running 2.5" ADS shocks on mine. They're 30"extended and about 19 collapsed. Your eye to eye is less then mine though. Mark gave you a good idea for what you may need. I'm thinking a 10" travel shock would probably be good for you, but each brand is different like said.

One thing you can do is take your eye to eye. Then measure 1"into bump stop to frame. Then subtract the second number from the eye to eye number. That'll give you a collapsed length. Then find the longest you can with that collapsed length.

Good idea. Yeah on the All For Fun arms the shock mount is on top of the arm vs the side. I could in theory change that pretty easy by welding on a side mount. But I'm not sure the extra inch's in over all eye to eye would make enough of a difference.

 

[SteveL]

In the rear you can go with the wh or Duffy extended forward mount for a longer rear shock and stock handling as far as the shocks are concerned. Migs also makes a taller less bulky looking rear mount.

 

[JeepGuy]

In the rear you can go with the wh or Duffy extended forward mount for a longer rear shock and stock handling as far as the shocks are concerned. Migs also makes a taller less bulky looking rear mount.

Couldn't find Migs. you have a link?

 

[gnpenning]

Couldn't find Migs. you have a link?

Migs is a respected member on here and also a vendor. He just had a thread about his shop here in chat. Hopefully someone with talent will get you a link.

 

[EPB72]

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304757. Here’s a link to migs if it doesn’t work go to the vendors threads it was at very bottom of first page

 

[Gupster88]

Last I talked to Migs he was shutting down shop for a little while. Might have trouble getting him to do anything right now......