Measuring For Shocks (Unidentified Lifted Objects)

hobbsworth

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Oct 1, 2023
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Location
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Hello, folks...

I believe this to be my first ever post. I can't be sure though as I've lurked here for so long that maybe it already happened.

Anyhow... just over a year ago, I purchased a 1998 Jeep TJ Sport 4.0. The PO couldn't tell me much about the lift that was installed on it, as he was the second owner and only for a short while. I suspected it to be a 4" lift... but I just measured the coil springs and was presented with numbers that don't match anything on that handy lift height reference chart I've seen posted numerous times.

Being that I suspected a 4"lift, I expected that the front coil springs would measure at 16" and the rear coil springs to measure at 12". Mine measured 17" and 13" respectively. These numbers fall smack dab between a 4" lift and a 6" lift leaving me to assume that this is a 5" lift. Is there such a thing (I'm new to lifts and whatnot)?

My next step was to find something (anything) on a shock that might help me to identify what I've got? These shocks are in pretty rough condition, and I could only find one shock (rear) with anything on it (stamped as follows).

MADE IN USA
C05035D
657341BP

I've googled 'C05035D shocks' with zero valuable results. I've googled '657341BP shock' with a few results... but none that really helped. Aside from the above stamped info, I only know for sure that the shock body is/was white and there is a yellow dust boot on it.

Here is where I need direction. What is my next step? Take a front and rear shock off and do a compress/decompress measurement on each? Is there maybe another resource that can help me further?

The end game here is to purchase four new shocks to replace what I am again assuming were shocks put on shortly after original purchase.

Thank y'all kindly and you other state folks enjoy your Thanksgiving.
 
The springs are what they are. Do you want a higher or a lower ride height?

The shocks, to start, should be at half travel at ride height. After that, do you like what they do to the ride quality?
 
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Hello, jjvw...

I am fine with the ride height. I just figured that measuring the springs was the quickest/easiest way to identify the correct length of shocks to buy. As for the shocks, I do not like how they ride. Way too stiff for its 95% on-road use.

Thanks for the info.
 
Hello, jjvw...

I am fine with the ride height. I just figured that measuring the springs was the quickest/easiest way to identify the correct length of shocks to buy. As for the shocks, I do not like how they ride. Way too stiff for its 95% on-road use.

Thanks for the info.

You already measured the springs. However, that does not tell you what size shocks to get. You want the shocks to be at the mid-point of their travel at normal ride height.
 
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front-1.jpeg
front-2.jpeg
rear-1.jpeg
rear-2.jpeg
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...I just figured that measuring the springs was the quickest/easiest way to identify the correct length of shocks to buy...

Just measure your current shocks (installed, at ride height):
1732736614521.jpeg


Then look up the specs on a potential shock, and choose one which is that length when it's halfway between its compressed and extended lengths. It's unlikely that you'll find the exact length shock you need, so you have to pick the closest match.

Say you have a shock which is 18" long, installed, at ride height. A potential shock to buy might be 13.52" compressed, and 22.30" extended, with 8.78" travel. When it's half extended, it's 17.91" long, a pretty good match to replace your shock. (I just picked a number, probably nowhere near yours.)

Many people around here like Rancho RS5000X or Skyjacker Black Max shocks, if they can't afford to outboard and get tuned shocks.
 
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Just measure your current shocks (installed, at ride height):
View attachment 575510

Then look up the specs on a potential shock, and choose one which is that length when it's halfway between its compressed and extended lengths. It's unlikely that you'll find the exact length shock you need, so you have to pick the closest match.

Say you have a shock which is 18" long, installed, at ride height. A potential shock to buy might be 13.52" compressed, and 22.30" extended, with 8.78" travel. When it's half extended, it's 17.91" long, a pretty good match to replace your shock. (I just picked a number, probably nowhere near yours.)

Many people around here like Rancho RS5000X or Skyjacker Black Max shocks, if they can't afford to outboard and get tuned shocks.

This information was extremely helpful. I cannot thank you enough. At ride height, my fronts measured at ~ 22.25" and my rears measured at ~ 21.25".