Are my shocks suppose to bottom out!?

[Dirtman]

09 2wd coil spring front suspension. Everything is stock, I finally got around to replacing the front shocks and when I went to put the new ones on (kyb excel-g's) I noticed with the suspension at full droop (frame on jack stands) the shock did not extend enough to reach the mounts!?! I had to jack up the control arm to get it to fit. I figured the replacement shocks are wrong and went to slap the old one back on but realized the original shocks are the same way.

How the hell can the shocks be the limiting point of the suspension like this without exploding on the first big pothole?!

Ive never replaced a set of shocks that did not travel the full articulation of the suspension....

 

[sgtsandman]

If the new shocks have the same travel as the originals, they should be good. I do agree that they should have enough travel that the suspension travel should be more than the shock travel.

 

[Dirtman]

Yea the original shocks are identical to the new ones so it was like this from the factory... it's just strange to have the limiting factor of the suspension be the shock and not a physical bump stop or something like that.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Are you talking compression or extension?

 

[Dirtman]

Extension. Frame on jackstands and wheels hanging the shocks are too short until you put some weight on the suspension.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

09 2wd coil spring front suspension. Everything is stock, I finally got around to replacing the front shocks and when I went to put the new ones on (kyb excel-g's) I noticed with the suspension at full droop (frame on jack stands) the shock did not extend enough to reach the mounts!?! I had to jack up the control arm to get it to fit. I figured the replacement shocks are wrong and went to slap the old one back on but realized the original shocks are the same way.

How the hell can the shocks be the limiting point of the suspension like this without exploding on the first big pothole?!

Ive never replaced a set of shocks that did not travel the full articulation of the suspension....

Just a note, never had any luck with KYB shocks. Even Monroe, Rancho, and ProComp hqve Ben more misses than hits with my Jeeps. Currently sacking money away for Bilstien monotubes for the 88.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

It's pretty common for shocks to be the factor that limits droop.

 

[G8orFord]

FWIW, if you're at full suspension travel enough to ruin the shock, you're taking the truck beyond its designed limits... and probably yours

 

[Snoranger]

It's pretty common for shocks to be the factor that limits droop.

This isn't a prerunner thats catching air every other second.

 

[Uncle Gump]

In situations where I expect long travel and plan to use it... I limit the suspension up and down with a stop and/or strap... and buy a shock that doesn't bottom out in either direction.

But... it is common for the shock to be the down stop in passenger vehicles.

 

[Dirtman]

Again... im removing oem shocks. They are identical to the kyb's. Both have the same travel. My oem ford shocks held the suspension up. So both new and old shocks are the limiting factor on suspension drop.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That's what we are saying... unless you get your fishing truck airborne often... it will probably never see the bottom of the shock. if you do go airborne regularly... put limiting straps on the fishing truck.

 

[Dirtman]

I get it... all I'm saying is I've been working on trucks for over 30 years and this is the first time ive seen a shock be the travel limit. Obviously my truck worked fine for ten years this way. It's just odd ford didn't raise the shock mount 2 inches.

 

[8thTon]

The only force on the shock under extension is the coil spring. Not much different than a strut under extension. I don’t see what the issue is?

 

[pjtoledo]

That's what we are saying... unless you get your fishing truck airborne often... it will probably never see the bottom of the shock. if you do go airborne regularly... put limiting straps on the fishing truck.

I can fully extend to the limit on speed humps at about 17mph. all it takes is the right combination of the springs pushing the front up just as the tire clears the hump. go faster and the front doesn't raise fast enough, go slower and it follows the contour.

and as usual,,,,,your humps may differ