Shock Length Measurement

I'm trying to flex out my jeep to measure shock length, but I just moved to Florida and everything is flat and I don't have a ramp handy. Anyone have any ideas? I do have a Hi-Lift, a couple jackstands, and a Bottle Jack.

 

correct !

 

Excellent, that is much simpler than I expected. Thank you

 

Not exactly that simple. You also have to measure distance from bumpstop to bumpstop contact point on the axle. Account for a bit of bumpstop compression and factor that into your shock length selection. You want a bit more shaft showing on the shock than your bumpstop measurement. It's better to have too short a shock that won't bottom even if it limits a bit of downtravel. If they're too long and compress before the bumpstops make contact you can rip off the shock mount, bend shock shaft, blow shock, etc.

Ideally you'd remove all but the main leaf in the spring pack (make a spacer to mimic height of leafs removed) and cycle the suspension with a jack. Otherwise, look for a loading dock or something similar. You'll get a lot more axle movement with the vehicle weight on the tires than you will by just jacking it up.

 

Why do you use the bumpstop as the measurement point? Could you measure the distance between shock mounts at max compression/droop? How much extra compressed shock length should I allow beyond my max compression measurement, 2"?

 

The bumpstop is the mechanical limit of travel.

You can flex as far as you can with the vehicle weight but a fast hit to the suspension, like if you hit a speed bump too fast, will jam you "all the way to the bumpstops"

Thats the kind of stuff that rips off shock mounts when your shocks are the wrong length.