Shock question?

[xterra2k]

What could be the problems with running the longer Bilsteins for a while before getting the AALs.
I am looking seriously at the "Rear: F4-B46- 2126-HO" but I don't have the extra height in the rear yet. And it doesn't look like I will be getting it with the year.
What dangers will I run into?
Will I crush them on potholes or under compression?
Thanks

[Matt Peckham]

spend the 58 dollars and do it all at once.

[XMan9]

save up for it and do it all at once. you will prob pound the mounts right off the frame/axle. as gramps once said: patience grashhoppa...

[xoc]

Was there a post just like this a few days ago ?

The F4-B46-2126-H0 is only longer overall, the compressed length is the same as stock, so you won't have any problems.

Using an AAL or shackles, the rear suspension still compresses exactly as stock, so the shock can't be any longer when compressed.

[XMan9]

hey ian, go compile some code or make a web site already, would ya...

HEHE...

[warmonger]

Originally posted by xoc
Was there a post just like this a few days ago ?

The F4-B46-2126-H0 is only longer overall, the compressed length is the same as stock, so you won't have any problems.

Using an AAL or shackles, the rear suspension still compresses exactly as stock, so the shock can't be any longer when compressed.

Ian,

Correct me if I am wrong (I am quite sure you will), but you must have a longer rod and/or body to increase travel length on a shock. With that in mind, if a shock is designed for a vehicle with a 3" suspension lift, would it not bottom out on a stock vehicle since the increased length makes the shock itself longer? The only way around this is to increase the body length, but leave the rod the same length (or shorter to make it equal in overall length to the non-lifted shock). But that wouldn't allow for the increased downward travel on the suspension. Since the lifted vehicle would hit bottom less often, I would think that the lengthened shock wouldn't have much of a problem on it. But putting the same shock on an unlifted vehicle would mean that the shock would hit bottom too often and quickly blow out the shaft seals. I guess what I am trying to say is, how can a shock have a longer overall length but the same compressed length?

[xoc]

Originally posted by warmonger
I guess what I am trying to say is, how can a shock have a longer overall length but the same compressed length?

Basically, the normal length shock isn't getting fully compressed, or isn't using all of its travel.

Regardless of how the suspension lift is achieved, at full compression, the front and rear are in exactly the same position as a stock suspended truck. The front hits the bumpstop, and the rear hits the bumpstop, no difference.

If a shock is too long under compression for a stock truck, it will be too long (by the same amount) for a lifted truck (with the lifts currently on the market).

With the slightly longer Bilstiens in the back, all of the compression travel is being used, with the stock length, there will be some that is unused.

[warmonger]

So they lengthen the rod, but the body stays the same, thus making full use of the body. Interesting. I read an article on how custom shocks were made but have never dug into the idiosyncracies of how shocks size, length and valving affect the shock as a whole. How much longer is the lifted shock vs the factory shock? I would guess that it wouldn't need an additional 3" since the shocks on the rear are at an angle, reducing the total overall length needed to accomplish the job.

[xoc]

The Bilstien for the SLR lift is about 1.5" longer, strictly because the spring pack is that much thicker. Being spring-under-axle, that moves the mount downward from the stock location.

[Kerensky97]

Did you find this out by testing the two side by side?

It makes sense but it seem the only way to prove it would be to put the two side by side and compress them by hand.

[xoc]

Originally posted by Kerensky97
Did you find this out by testing the two side by side?

Actually, I tested it the hard way. The shocks showed up a week before the spring pack, so I tried them out. They bottomed out backing out of my driveway.