Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
Rare, but I had to. :(

Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0p2es/david/index.htm

On Thu, 06 May 2004 14:26:52 -0400, Mike Romain <romainm@sympatico.ca>
wrote:

>A friend called complaining about some bad vibes and the steering not
>'feeling' right after a 2" skyjacker lift in his TJ.
>
>He is describing u-joint issues and 'death wobble'...
>
>So after quizzing him a bit, he comes up with 'oh, they didn't have time
>to do the rear spacers so I am just driving around on the front ones
>with it tilted way nose up.
>
>So I explain the angles to him and shake my head and then he mentions
>the death wobble. I ask some more questions like what kind of shape is
>the shocks and sway bar in and.... Well he broke that sway bar link a
>year ago and this shop told him to just forget it!!!
>
>Ok.... These are the same fools that let him drive away with no axle
>holding the front hub together so his wheel fell off the first tight
>turn after a 50 mile highway run... What a bunch of freaking fools!
>
>Anyway, he is coming over with beer this afternoon and I am going to
>point him the right way to change the rear coil spacers. No worries, he
>is one of my physio therapists so he 'won't' let me touch a wrench...
>;-)
>
>As far as I have read here, all he needs to do is undo the rear sway bar
>and jack it up so the spring falls out on one side then just swap the
>spacer.
>
>Is it that simple? Is it easier to do one side first or one at a time
>or drop them both?
>
>He has bump stop extensions, so they will go on at the same time.
>
>What about shock extensions?
>
>I have seen the 2" extensions for the front shocks that are just an
>extended end on the rod, but the back shocks have the holes with a bar
>through it.
>
>Should he just go out and get some cheap 2" lifted already shocks?
>
>I am under the opinion/impression that stock shocks will break things
>off road by limiting the travel. Am I wrong there?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike
>86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

 

Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
Rare, but I had to. :(

Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0p2es/david/index.htm

On Thu, 06 May 2004 14:26:52 -0400, Mike Romain <romainm@sympatico.ca>
wrote:

>A friend called complaining about some bad vibes and the steering not
>'feeling' right after a 2" skyjacker lift in his TJ.
>
>He is describing u-joint issues and 'death wobble'...
>
>So after quizzing him a bit, he comes up with 'oh, they didn't have time
>to do the rear spacers so I am just driving around on the front ones
>with it tilted way nose up.
>
>So I explain the angles to him and shake my head and then he mentions
>the death wobble. I ask some more questions like what kind of shape is
>the shocks and sway bar in and.... Well he broke that sway bar link a
>year ago and this shop told him to just forget it!!!
>
>Ok.... These are the same fools that let him drive away with no axle
>holding the front hub together so his wheel fell off the first tight
>turn after a 50 mile highway run... What a bunch of freaking fools!
>
>Anyway, he is coming over with beer this afternoon and I am going to
>point him the right way to change the rear coil spacers. No worries, he
>is one of my physio therapists so he 'won't' let me touch a wrench...
>;-)
>
>As far as I have read here, all he needs to do is undo the rear sway bar
>and jack it up so the spring falls out on one side then just swap the
>spacer.
>
>Is it that simple? Is it easier to do one side first or one at a time
>or drop them both?
>
>He has bump stop extensions, so they will go on at the same time.
>
>What about shock extensions?
>
>I have seen the 2" extensions for the front shocks that are just an
>extended end on the rod, but the back shocks have the holes with a bar
>through it.
>
>Should he just go out and get some cheap 2" lifted already shocks?
>
>I am under the opinion/impression that stock shocks will break things
>off road by limiting the travel. Am I wrong there?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike
>86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

 

Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
Rare, but I had to. :(

Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0p2es/david/index.htm

On Thu, 06 May 2004 14:26:52 -0400, Mike Romain <romainm@sympatico.ca>
wrote:

>A friend called complaining about some bad vibes and the steering not
>'feeling' right after a 2" skyjacker lift in his TJ.
>
>He is describing u-joint issues and 'death wobble'...
>
>So after quizzing him a bit, he comes up with 'oh, they didn't have time
>to do the rear spacers so I am just driving around on the front ones
>with it tilted way nose up.
>
>So I explain the angles to him and shake my head and then he mentions
>the death wobble. I ask some more questions like what kind of shape is
>the shocks and sway bar in and.... Well he broke that sway bar link a
>year ago and this shop told him to just forget it!!!
>
>Ok.... These are the same fools that let him drive away with no axle
>holding the front hub together so his wheel fell off the first tight
>turn after a 50 mile highway run... What a bunch of freaking fools!
>
>Anyway, he is coming over with beer this afternoon and I am going to
>point him the right way to change the rear coil spacers. No worries, he
>is one of my physio therapists so he 'won't' let me touch a wrench...
>;-)
>
>As far as I have read here, all he needs to do is undo the rear sway bar
>and jack it up so the spring falls out on one side then just swap the
>spacer.
>
>Is it that simple? Is it easier to do one side first or one at a time
>or drop them both?
>
>He has bump stop extensions, so they will go on at the same time.
>
>What about shock extensions?
>
>I have seen the 2" extensions for the front shocks that are just an
>extended end on the rod, but the back shocks have the holes with a bar
>through it.
>
>Should he just go out and get some cheap 2" lifted already shocks?
>
>I am under the opinion/impression that stock shocks will break things
>off road by limiting the travel. Am I wrong there?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Mike
>86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

 

"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> Rare, but I had to. :(

OK guys,

I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.

I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?

Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.

So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
with the spacers.

-Fred W

 

"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> Rare, but I had to. :(

OK guys,

I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.

I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?

Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.

So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
with the spacers.

-Fred W

 

"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> Rare, but I had to. :(

OK guys,

I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.

I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?

Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.

So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
with the spacers.

-Fred W

 

"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> Rare, but I had to. :(

OK guys,

I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.

I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?

Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.

So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
with the spacers.

-Fred W

 

Yes, we are all saying that using shocks to limit axle travel 'will'
break something.

I have seen the repeated impacts snap frames, snap off shock towers,
punch shocks right through the body into the back seat, etc...

Even with 2.5" lifted shocks I managed to snap off the bottom shock
mount on my CJ7 when the back wheel dropped into a hole fast. (it was
already slightly cracked from a rock impact, but...)

There are two ways to lift a TJ.

One is longer springs for more travel. This requires a shock with a
corresponding longer travel.

The other way is to put a spacer on top of the spring for increased
ground clearance and to fit larger tires. This does not increase the
travel or articulation, just raises the vehicle. For this kind of lift,
you only need shocks that are taller, they don't need to move more.

Then an extended bump stop is very important. This limits the
compression so you don't over compress the stock spring.

I am of the belief/impression that the skyjacker kit is designed to
destroy the stock shocks in short order so you have to go back and pay
big bucks for the 'longer spring' lift kit. They do this by shorting
the bump stop so the spring will over compress and sag out sooner than
later.

You know, a 2" lift with 1" higher bump stops....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"Fred W." wrote:
>
> "David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> > Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> > stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> > wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> > probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> > still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> > Rare, but I had to. :(
>
> OK guys,
>
> I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.
>
> I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
> and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
> the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
> articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
> the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
> just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?
>
> Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
> mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
> small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
> winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
> So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
> look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.
>
> So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
> shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
> cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
> with the spacers.
>
> -Fred W

 

Yes, we are all saying that using shocks to limit axle travel 'will'
break something.

I have seen the repeated impacts snap frames, snap off shock towers,
punch shocks right through the body into the back seat, etc...

Even with 2.5" lifted shocks I managed to snap off the bottom shock
mount on my CJ7 when the back wheel dropped into a hole fast. (it was
already slightly cracked from a rock impact, but...)

There are two ways to lift a TJ.

One is longer springs for more travel. This requires a shock with a
corresponding longer travel.

The other way is to put a spacer on top of the spring for increased
ground clearance and to fit larger tires. This does not increase the
travel or articulation, just raises the vehicle. For this kind of lift,
you only need shocks that are taller, they don't need to move more.

Then an extended bump stop is very important. This limits the
compression so you don't over compress the stock spring.

I am of the belief/impression that the skyjacker kit is designed to
destroy the stock shocks in short order so you have to go back and pay
big bucks for the 'longer spring' lift kit. They do this by shorting
the bump stop so the spring will over compress and sag out sooner than
later.

You know, a 2" lift with 1" higher bump stops....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"Fred W." wrote:
>
> "David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> > Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> > stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> > wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> > probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> > still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> > Rare, but I had to. :(
>
> OK guys,
>
> I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.
>
> I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
> and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
> the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
> articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
> the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
> just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?
>
> Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
> mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
> small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
> winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
> So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
> look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.
>
> So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
> shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
> cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
> with the spacers.
>
> -Fred W

 

Yes, we are all saying that using shocks to limit axle travel 'will'
break something.

I have seen the repeated impacts snap frames, snap off shock towers,
punch shocks right through the body into the back seat, etc...

Even with 2.5" lifted shocks I managed to snap off the bottom shock
mount on my CJ7 when the back wheel dropped into a hole fast. (it was
already slightly cracked from a rock impact, but...)

There are two ways to lift a TJ.

One is longer springs for more travel. This requires a shock with a
corresponding longer travel.

The other way is to put a spacer on top of the spring for increased
ground clearance and to fit larger tires. This does not increase the
travel or articulation, just raises the vehicle. For this kind of lift,
you only need shocks that are taller, they don't need to move more.

Then an extended bump stop is very important. This limits the
compression so you don't over compress the stock spring.

I am of the belief/impression that the skyjacker kit is designed to
destroy the stock shocks in short order so you have to go back and pay
big bucks for the 'longer spring' lift kit. They do this by shorting
the bump stop so the spring will over compress and sag out sooner than
later.

You know, a 2" lift with 1" higher bump stops....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

"Fred W." wrote:
>
> "David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:gcql90houbs295vuvc9ju82kmp6i3srhl2@4ax.com...
> > Ya, rears are pretty easy (like others have mentioned). I ran with
> > stock length shocks for a while, but they definitely were limiting
> > wheel travel, and I'm sure would have broken after a while. He should
> > probably get an alignment, too (mine was off after my install). If he
> > still has vibes, he *may* have to lower the transfer case a smidge.
> > Rare, but I had to. :(
>
> OK guys,
>
> I'm following along at home here, and I'm not getting it.
>
> I can see how putting the 2" spacers on increases the total spring length
> and the ride height, but I don't see how or why you would "need to" replace
> the shocks, or why they would then break. Sure, if you want to get maximum
> articulation benefit offroad, the shocks can be 2" longer to go along with
> the lengthened springs. But if you kept the stock shocks, wouldn't they
> just limit the maximum extension of that wheel?
>
> Are you saying that you'd be topping out so much that you'd tear the shock
> mount off or something? I'm pretty interested because I'd like to do a
> small lift on my '98 TJ to compensate for heavier bumpers and an added
> winch. I live in New England where we don't do a lot of rock crawling, etc.
> So I only have 30" Kumko MT's on it. I don't need a 4" lift and it would
> look kind of goofy with that much lift and my current small wheels IMO.
>
> So maybe a budget lift is the answer for me too? I had just replaced the
> shocks a few thousand miles ago with some new OEM take-offs, but they were
> cheap as dirt. Maybe the best bet is getting a set of *good* shocks along
> with the spacers.
>
> -Fred W