as i order the parts for my cj3-b/mb/cj2-a build up i was wondering if some one could help me find a starting point for shock length. it is going to have stock wrangler springs front and rear.

should i just get the longest shock i can find and make it fit? what length are some of you guys running on your early cj's?

any help is appreciated.

danP

just get things bolted up and cycle the suspension. Measure, and you're done.

Put your replacement springs on and measure the distance between the upper and lower mounts. That distance is what you take to the 4wd shop. I think my MB (with stock springs) measured 18" or 19" inches. I picked up a set of Rancho 5K series that work great. I had to round up and inch or two as they did not have an exact match.

I was trying to do what you are trying a few months back, and you will ended up just returning the shackos you buy. Get it bolted up and then ramp it and measure compressed and extended distances.

-Tony

Originally posted by schuss
just get things bolted up and cycle the suspension. Measure, and you're done.

Yep this will work unless your name is Kevin MASSEY :massey:

:bounce2: :bounce: :jeep2:

So many people waist money doing it the way you guys are suggesting.
You do your suspension buy a shock that fits it perfectly, then a month later they sag so you do a new mod and the shocks dont fit, or you decide to relocate an axle or two 6 months down the road and the shocks dont fit, or you decide to do an SOA,.......and the shocks dont fit, or heaven forbid you decide that you want those stupid revolvers,....then the shocks dont fit.
I tell anyone that is building an off road rig, and they plan to have maximum ssuspension, buy the longets shock you can afford and build your mounts around them. You can always move or modify your mounts when you do your changes. I dont know of anyone who can fabricate even the slightest that ever said, damn these R9012 are too long, I better get rid of em. But I now 2 dozen people that have said, I would have gotten the R9012 two months ago, if I woulda known we were gonna be changing this. :rasta:
The longer the shocks (within reason) the better the travel, by some 14" travel bilstiens or some R9012 and make em work.

H8MONDAY- I've had my Rancho's on the MB for 2 seasons now and they show no sag and have performed superbly...I will say that I did not have any intention at time of purchase (or now) of relocating axles, switching to SOA, etc.. But then again, my MB has not seen the Rubicon in over a decade (too hard on the unboxed frame).

My advice is to think hard about what H8MONDAY said...it is sound advice. If you are going to be tweaking your suspension formula in the near future you may want to get the longest possible...but then again; it's only $$$

h8monday - thanks for the "good" advice. that was the plan i had in mind i was just searching for validation from some one else. the build up i'm doing is a little beyond most of the people in my area's skills (it's a little beyond mine i might add) so my trusted jeepin advisors are of no use to me now.

thanks
danP

i agree with h8monday, do it right and never buy shocks again