School me on shock length.

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yodge

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I'm new with suspension dynamics and am learning so I need to know what is bad about putting longer shocks in than you should have. I have a 2wd 13 ram with bilstein's I believe they are 14" and I'm looking at a set of fox 2.0's which are 26" off a jeep rubicon. I plan on drilling a hole through the shock bucket and getting a longer hose to mount the reservoir in the wheel well. I have uniball upper control arms and limit straps.
Here's the shocks ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416386932.018736.jpg
current ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416386938.987384.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416386962.216295.jpg


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Stangshcky12

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The numbers you listed are the extended lengths of the shock
Your bilstien shock is ~14" with ~4-4.5" of travel p, that fox shock is ~26" and should have about 10" of travel

You won't be gaining anything by going to the longer shock, the travel is still limited by the range of movement in the control arm
Resevoir shocks have better performance prerunning as they have a larger oil volume to help with heat build up (surface area of the resevoire helps with heat disappation too)
You should revolve and tune those shocks for a Ram as a 4k lb jeep will have a different damping ration then a 6k lb Ram
 
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yodge

yodge

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Dampening ratio is determined by the nitrogen gas filled into the shock or by rebuilding the shock?
So as is these would fit allowing more travel but only the amount permitted by the upper control arm. And in my case limit straps


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Andrew09HEMI

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Yea thats correct what he said.. The longest Ive ever gone over my lift was 4", in the rear of my Commander cause I removed the sway bar, extended break lines etc to help articulation of the front by increasing the rear. With the front there wouldnt be much benefit.. The valving is based on weight, type of ride, rebound etc..
 
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yodge

yodge

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Thank you for the replies guys. Helped me save myself the headache before I did it myself. So I should just find some proper length for my truck ?
I was excited because these were priced so right haha


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Andrew09HEMI

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Really just finding one with proper valving as mentioned, you could have those rebuilt to the valving youd like but the length is overkill... What exactly are you looking for in a new shock? Better ride, travel, off road etc..
 

Stangshcky12

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What your looking to do is important
He 5100 is a really good shock, the next series up, the 5160, is the same shock as far as I know with a resevoired for a larger volume
 
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yodge

yodge

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I'm looking for something that if I want to I can take off-road and it handle exceptionally well. As well as city driving. My truck is no longer a daily driver for me seeing as I bought a motorcycle for economical reasons. So I would like to beef up my suspension do to speak. I would eventually like to get to the lower control arms tie rods etc. I just came across these for sale and was going to try and make them fit


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