83-88 2wd rear shock help

[JoshT]

Hey I got a 1986 Ranger I'm rebuiilding. It's getting lowered a little in the rear with an Explorer axle. I'll be using the explorer lower shock mount spring plates, and will be making my own upper shock mounts. I want to have te truck set-up to use factory length shocks for a few reasons. Problem is I forgot to measure the factory shock length before removing the stock axle.

I hate to ask but does anyone know what the shock length is for a stock 83-88 Ranger 2wd, while at rest with an empty bed?

For that matter does anyone know the extended and compressed lengths of same shock? I figure my correct length would be right in the middle of the two.

 

[Il Brutto]

Just measure the shocks you want to use both compressed and extended and mount up in the middle somewhere.

 

[Teddyzee]

Check the DJM site, and/or Toxic shocks. (have not looked in a long time)

But these sites list a part number for stock height, and various degrees of lowering.
Then they also list details for each part number- Extended length, collapsed length, and mounting style.

 

[JoshT]

Just measure the shocks you want to use both compressed and extended and mount up in the middle somewhere.

I thought about that but have you ever tried to compress or extend an Edelbrock IAS shock by hand. I tried and couldn't hold it there and measure it too. I do know to go for the middle of the shock travel, just having problems finding out what was.

Check the DJM site, and/or Toxic shocks. (have not looked in a long time)

But these sites list a part number for stock height, and various degrees of lowering.
Then they also list details for each part number- Extended length, collapsed length, and mounting style.

Never would have thought to check those two but makes sense.

I'm running Eldebrock IAS shocks, and have the part number for them. They used to have a list with the same information available, well they still have the list but my part number was no longer on the list. Of course Eldebrock's tech support still hasn't moved into this century so they don't give an e-mail address to contact, and before I posted their tech support line kept saying "Due to unusually high call volume... ...please call back later." Finally around 3pm I was able to get through and get the information I needed.

For anyone else that may pull this up in a search in the future I'm listing the lengths below.

Extended: 22.5"
Collapsed: 14.5"

I'm going to set my suspension up to be right in the middle at 18.5 inches.