Learned new info for 2wd shocks

[bloombloom88]

I've been looking around for new shocks to go along with my spring spacers I will be installing to finish my lift soon, and have found out something interesting that some of us might not know until now.

I have emailed performancelifts.com for their help with choices for my application. This is what they said back in the 2nd email in more depth


Dodge engineered the front shock to limit the suspension travel. If you
disconnect your front shock the next thing to happen is the upper arm hits
the side of the frame.

If you install a front shock that is 3" inches longer the suspension will be
allowed to cycle farther than it is was ever designed to. That will allow
the upper control arm to hit the side of the frame when the suspension
reaches full extension. And when the metal upper arm hits the metal frame
rail you will hear and feel the clunk.

We do not recommend you run a front shock that is any longer than 15.5"
inches fully extended. The factory front shocks are usually somewhere around
14.75" fully extended.



Have any of you 2wd guys encountered or heard of this? I ended up finding a cst shock that will work for 3 inch spacers, but it's only 3/4 on an inch longer than oem, which concerns me about ride quality.


If anybody who knows more about this, please comment. I'd like to know more about my options and if what they are telling me is accurate

 

[sausec17]

yep, all of that is true. I ran a 3" spacer and the ride was TERRIBLE! I installed 1" shock extensions and the ride was great but the UCA hit the top shock bucket. No damage but made me feel uncomfortable.

Installed a .5" shock extension and the UCA never hit the shock bucket. Ride wasn't as good but better than the UCA banging.

 

[bloombloom88]

yep, all of that is true. I ran a 3" spacer and the ride was TERRIBLE! I installed 1" shock extensions and the ride was great but the UCA hit the top shock bucket. No damage but made me feel uncomfortable.

Installed a .5" shock extension and the UCA never hit the shock bucket. Ride wasn't as good but better than the UCA banging.

Was it hitting during normal driving or off-road?

 

[sausec17]

normal driving hittin small bumps, speed bumps, and driveway humps.

sometimes even on slow turns

I could only imagine how bad it would bang off-road, hence why I never took it off-road

 

[bloombloom88]

That's a stupid design. I'm sure this doesn't help any with shock life

 

[bloombloom88]

Would any of the aftermarket arms or the ram runner upper arms clear the frame/coil bucket?

 

[TexasRammer]

normal driving hittin small bumps, speed bumps, and driveway humps.

sometimes even on slow turns

I could only imagine how bad it would bang off-road, hence why I never took it off-road

haha yeah, off roading the bumping can be terrible if you go to fast.

so are you saying that if my uca is hitting the bucket, a shorter shock will prevent this from happening? I still get it occasionally when going too fast of road or a really bad pot hole.

 

[bloombloom88]

haha yeah, off roading the bumping can be terrible if you go to fast.

so are you saying that if my uca is hitting the bucket, a shorter shock will prevent this from happening? I still get it occasionally when going too fast of road or a really bad pot hole.

What shocks are you running and what length? Do you have coil spacers up front?

 

[TexasRammer]

Would any of the aftermarket arms or the ram runner upper arms clear the frame/coil bucket?

somebody makes aftermarket arms for the 2wd that will clear it, forgot who because theyre really expensive. I wanna say over $600. but Yeah this design is really stupid, surprised theyve stuck with it so long

 

[sausec17]

haha yeah, off roading the bumping can be terrible if you go to fast.

so are you saying that if my uca is hitting the bucket, a shorter shock will prevent this from happening? I still get it occasionally when going too fast of road or a really bad pot hole.

yes, but your ride quality will suffer. its all about finding the balance between height, ride quality, and missing the shock bucket.

yes, icon and readylift make UCA, both shy of $800 :/

 

[bloombloom88]

yes, but your ride quality will suffer. its all about finding the balance between height, ride quality, and missing the shock bucket.

yes, icon and readylift make UCA, both shy of $800 :/

Has it been confirmed that both will clear the frame and or coil bucket?

 

[sausec17]

I don't know personally for sure, but it has been mentioned on other forums. id make sure and check with the manufacturer.

 

[bloombloom88]

I don't know personally for sure, but it has been mentioned on other forums. id make sure and check with the manufacturer.

New upper arms are in the future plans after my lift wheels and tires. Hmm

 

[TexasRammer]

What shocks are you running and what length? Do you have coil spacers up front?

theyre ranchos, dont know the length. theyre were the ones recommended for the cst 3" springs. But now I no longer have the longer springs, just 3" spindles aand a 1.5" spacer

 

[bloombloom88]

I'm thinking I'm just gonna cough up the money for new arms. Gotta email kore and icon to verify if their arms will have the same clearance issue or not