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Will shock extensions suffice?

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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 07:47 AM
  #1  
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From: CenCal
Will shock extensions suffice?

Hi all-

Just put LC coils in the rear of my 2nd Gen, 1.5" spacers in the front. Would the simple shock extensions from the local parts store suffice to bring the shocks back into working length, or is it too cheesey?

The shocks only have about 30k on them, so I don't want to replace them if I don't have to, but I spend a lot of time in my 'Runner and don't want to "rig" it, either. My thought was that the mild lift did just that, a mild lift. No more travel of the front suspension, just pushed it down an inch and a half. About three in the back. So, if I put the proper extensions on, wouldn't it put them back into spec?

If my thinking is off, I guess I'll need some shock recommendations.

Please weigh in.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 07:57 AM
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I wouldn't use them on my truck or anyone else's. Buy the proper length shock IMO.

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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 07:57 AM
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I don't think leaving the shocks like they are will hurt anything. With the lift your main concern is the shocks being the "limiters" when a tire drops. I think it's called "over extending" the shocks or something like that.
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 08:01 AM
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Thanks, guys. Wabbit, as a fabricator, what makes you shy away from them so much?
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 09:11 AM
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not trying to prove u wrong junker but i needed longer shocks also and ended up (over extending one) when i was flexing and snapped it. heres a pic for proof. but it depends if your rig goes off road, maybe save up a little till u can afford the real thing.https://www.yotatech.com/attachments...e-101_1214.jpg
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 09:23 AM
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From: Nashville TN. I can help you if you're close BUT NOBODY CAN HELP YOU IF YOU DON'T FILL YOUR LOCATION IN!
You wouldn't have the compression you'd have with what you need length shocks, but you would with droop.


Is that right?


oh, whoops... providing the extensions were on the top. If they were on the bottom wouldn't that be reversed? Less droop, more compression?


I THINK that's right...
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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by qdude79
Thanks, guys. Wabbit, as a fabricator, what makes you shy away from them so much?
Never put a bandaid where you need a suture.

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Old Mar 2, 2010 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by myyota85
not trying to prove u wrong junker but i needed longer shocks also and ended up (over extending one) when i was flexing and snapped it. heres a pic for proof. but it depends if your rig goes off road, maybe save up a little till u can afford the real thing.https://www.yotatech.com/attachments...e-101_1214.jpg
Oh I believe you. I know you can over extend them and have them break but if the OP's rig doesn't go off road very often or when he does he doesn't do anything crazy then I'd think he'd be fine. On my 86 pickup I did a mild lift and just bought OEM replacement shocks and never broke one. Heck I even have OEM shocks on the 89 4runner and it's lifted, nothing busted yet (knock on wood). I realize I do need to get longer ones but haven't gotten to it yet.
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 08:31 AM
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i know that front suzuki samurais shocks works great in the front for lifted 4runners,but for the rear im not sure maybe someone can help and bring some info.
why buy a set of $125-150 shocks when you can use some gabriels or monroe from other trucks?
and they will work as good as a set of those costly ones.im planning to do the lift but dont want to spend to much,and other point if a shock goes bad then you have to order another one wich cost is higher than the gabriels or monroe.
with cheaper shocks will be easy to the pocket and easy to find in a parts store.
so anyone can solve this?
front shocks from a sami are ok
rear shocks-----waiting for some info,maybe chevys or even fj80
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 11:05 AM
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well ,did some research and this i found about the shocks
for the front
suzuki sami gabriels #61549 Extended Length: 15.89 in, Collapsed Length: 10.11 in
ford f250 #61520 Extended Length: 15.35 in,Collapsed Length: 10.32 in.
ford f150 #61613 Extended Length: 15.48 in,Collapsed Length: 9.95 in.

for the rear
gabriel 81461 Extended Length: 23.7 in,Collapsed Length: 13.84 in.
gabriel 81285 Extended Length: 23.2 in,Collapsed Length: 13.84 in.
price range from $18 to $24 bucks per shock

gabriel 4runner stock shocks measurments are
gabriel 81870 front Extended Length: 13.86 in,Collapsed Length: 9.00 in.
gabriel G63548 rear Extended Length: 21.21 in,Collapsed Length: 13.18 in.

well it appears that this shocks can work but the only info that is missing is the diameter of the bottom eyelet and the stud.
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 11:26 AM
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From: Just North of Pittsburgh
That there is the main issue when swapping shocks around. I use a cheepo for the rear of my runner when I did the LC's and I had to modify the bottom hoops a bit. The bushings were not of the right size so I had to make my own bushings. I do know that the original shocks held the rear compressed about 1", meaning they were over extended just sitting there.

From what I have "read" a 1" BJ spacer and standard shocks will work. That is from what I have read. I have not installed the 1.5" BJ spacers in the front yet, when I do I'll be changing the shocks.

I agree with the Wabbit...Get the proper length. If you want take 1 of your shocks with you and tell them that you need one like this but with longer travel.
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 12:33 PM
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From: texas
you will need a very close friend in the store to do this research.
i have a set of used ones that i can take to the shop and compare to the possible candidates.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 01:39 PM
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From: texas
well i found some new info about the shocks for lifted 2nd gens
skyjacker h7024 for the rear
skyjacker h7052 for the front

nitro charged
n8024 for the rear
n8052 for the front
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