New to lifting...

[junkfixr]

Well, what I did wasn't exactly a lift. I installed a helper spring ( add a leaf) on each side of my son's 87 Ranger and it took the sag out of the spring pack but it also lifted the rear 1 1/2 ot 2". Now the shocks are a bit short.

Do I need to take the factory shocks off, have the auto parts guy measure and try to match a set that is 2" longer ? How do you deal with measuring and choosing the proper shocks after you've done a lift ?

 

[aspevacek]

At what poijnt are the shocks too short? When the axle is at full droop or when the weight of the truck is setting on the springs? I would say i fyou can get them in witha bit of compression while weight is on them then they should be fine. a simple helper spring should not have lifted the truck so much that the shocks no longer fit.

 

[junkfixr]

shocks

After putting the helpers on, and the truck was let back down with the full weight on it, I had to get a buddy to sit on the bed and compress the springs about 1 - 1 1/2" just to get the shocks back on. When I put the top shock bolt in, and extended the shock all the way it was still too short to reach the bottom hole without putting weight on the bed.

They also bounce on rough roads and you can hear the shock bottom out (or top out whichever is the case.) They're just seem to be a couple of inches too short now. The manufacturer stated that longer shocks may be necessary, but how to measure & how much longer?

 

[aspevacek]

jack the vehicle up by th eframe allowing the axle to droop fully till the tire leaves the ground. Measure the distance from the upper shock mount to the lower. This will give you the extended length you need. set the truck on the ground and bounce it a few time to ensure everything is compressed and measure the distance between the mounts again measure, then measure the distance between the axle and the bumpstop and subtract that length plus 1/2 inch from that length. That should give you your compressed length. Visit the major shock makers websites and find shocks that will hit those 2 lengths. Most of them will have a universal section and give extended and compressed lengths. Ensur eyou pick shocks with the proper mounting types for your application.