Hey guys, we just added another jeep, a 1989 YJ to our growing collection. The previous owner stated that he believed the lift installed was a 4" kit. The shocks are all old and I can't find any legible markings on them, i'd like to replace them but really do not know for sure what the lift height really is. Are any of you aware of a way to take measurements to determine the true lift. Thinks!
determining height of lift
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Measure from the axle to frame. Compare that measurement to a stock one
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Yea I thought the same thing, l just have to find a stock yj locally
I'm sure someone on here has one, just use the same reference points. Or google?
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Need to take tire size and wear into account if you measure that way.
Are you able to get it up on jack stands and perform a full compression vs full droop? Never owned leaf springs, but would imagine you're better off measuring the actual travel distance and finding a shock to match. Some manufacturers/websites list their compressed length vs extended length which gives you the shock's travel.
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Need to take tire size and wear into account if you measure that way.Put the pipe down Sal.
Tire size and certainly tire wear would have nothing to do with a measurement between axle and frame.
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Put the pipe down Sal.
Tire size and certainly tire wear would have nothing to do with a measurement between axle and frame.
It hurts me to agree with Keith, but I get enough pleasure in disagreeing with Sal that it at least evens out.
Yeah, tire size/wear has nothing to do with this.(This is one of those times where people who don't know us are like wth? I'm kidding around for the record)
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ha, okay, putting the pipe down. not sure what i was thinking ... wandering the mall with Sara earlier
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from the rocker panels to the ground was 18" on the stock 215/75/15 (27.7") tires. You'll have to account for the larger tires, but that's easy... if it's a 33", subtract 2.5" from the rocker panel measurement. For a 35, remove 3.5".
Also, stock shackles were 4" long bolt-bolt. Each inch longer adds a half-inch of suspension height.
Good luck
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Remove the old shocks and measure their extended/compressed lengths and search for a replacement. That would be my second choice. First would be measuring compression/droop on the suspension. I wouldnt bother trying to estimate what amount of lift is on there.
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Remove the old shocks and measure their extended/compressed lengths and search for a replacement. That would be my second choice. First would be measuring compression/droop on the suspension. I wouldnt bother trying to estimate what amount of lift is on there.That's the best way to do it.
Here is a guide for Rancho shocks that may help guide you. Once you know what Rancho shock would work a supplier might be able to cross reference another brand for you.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Rancho.shtml -
That's the best way to do it. Be sure to add an inch to the full extension length and subtract an inch to the full compression length in order to give you a little safety cushion.
Here is a guide for Rancho shocks that may help guide you. Once you know what Rancho shock would work a supplier might be able to cross reference another brand for you.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Rancho.shtml -
It hurts me to agree with Keith, but I get enough pleasure in disagreeing with Sal that it at least evens out.
Yeah, tire size/wear has nothing to do with this.(This is one of those times where people who don't know us are like wth? I'm kidding around for the record)
Funny thing in all this, from me who knows both of you pretty well knows that you both are more alike then ya both realize
Just need this 
and a couple cold ones! -
Remove the old shocks and measure their extended/compressed lengths and search for a replacement. That would be my second choice. First would be measuring compression/droop on the suspension. I wouldnt bother trying to estimate what amount of lift is on there.That only works if the proper shocks were installed with the springs.
Never know what a cheaper Jeeper might have cobbled together.
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That only works if the proper shocks were installed with the springs.
Never know what a cheaper Jeeper might have cobbled together.
Measure eye-to-eye at ride height and subtract distance from axle tube to bumpstop....reference shock specs that John linked and pick out the longest shock that has a compressed length short enough to fit that distance. That'll give you the best fit as most lift mfrs seem to just grab something that's close when it comes to shocks anyway or just take stock length + lift height.
--Ian
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Like this....
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That only works if the proper shocks were installed with the springs.
Never know what a cheaper Jeeper might have cobbled together.
Which is why it would be my second choice. If a street driven rig or beach rig (don't know the purpose of the vehicle) I'd bet that measuring the shocks would work so long as they aren't currently bottoming out.
Or what clendaniel said.
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