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Long Travell Shocks


Guest byb555
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I have had a few people asking me about long travell shocks lately for when they fit a lift kit. It is quite easy to do. First step is to remove a standard shock from your car or pick up a pair from a wreckers. You then compress the shock and measure from the top of one eye to the top of the eye on the other end. This will give you a "centres" measurement. Now add about 75% of the hieght of your kit. 55-60mm for a 3", 75-80mm for a 4". This way you will gain a little more up travell as well. You will now have to go to a renound suspension specialist in your area with all this knowledge you have now. Tell the assistant the measurement you came up with (COMPRESSED shock + 75%kit)and that this measurement is the compressed length, centre to centre, of the shock that you want. Also inform the person that you want as long a travell as you can get for that length. You may also have to supply them with 2 old shocks so they can remove the SUBARU mounting piece at the top and fit it to your new ones. Brand and shock rate/stiffness is up to your personal preference. Please note this is only possible with the torsion bar rear ends as far as I know. I don't know if you can get coil over shocks that way.

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Guest seattleflyer

How do you go about lifting a coil-over suspension like on my '85 wagon? Do you provide a shock extension between the top shock mount and the body? I imagine that a custom coil over could be adapted. I know that there are a wide variety of them for racing and custom applications. Most have adjustable seats. Is this the route I'll have to go? But one more reason I should have bought an earlier wagon: Torsion bar suspension!

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If you mean "Do the lift kits come with shock extensions" Well yes they do. Its just that I have found that longer shocks can be fitted for better 4wd ability. I think you are quite right in that you could get a longer coil over, but to get the compressed shock length you would have to dismantle the shock/strut set up. then it is a decision as to whether you would put longer springs (probably)and if so, how much longer. I currently own 2 RX Turbos with kits that I plan on doing something like this to one day. If you happen to do it to yours before mine perhaps you could let me know.

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I found that the standard shosks off the rear of a 60 series Toyota Landcruiser are the same as Subaru wnem compressed and 4" longer when extended. Second hand ones are usually OK as the Subaru is a lot lighter. Always used them with the lift kits on 80-84 models. For the '87 wagon I used the rear shocks from the RX which have stepped adjusters like a motorcycle. Had to weld them on the high setting to avoid the adjusters from slipping over the stops.

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Guest quattronut

Clint, So what you are saying is that I need those shocks for my 1984 Brat with the 4" Lift Kit? What is a 60 Series Landcruiser? What year and make would that be in USA? Any help is appreciated. I need to buy shocks before Thursday. Tim kzildjian@home.com

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I hope the kit came with extensions for the shocks. BYB555 will confirm this. The 60 Series Toyota Landcruiser wagon came out in 1984 here and lasted until about 1990 or so. There has since been the 80 series and they are now on the 100. 80 and 100's are coil sprung so I don't know about their shocks.

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Guest quattronut

Whtspoke, What is Brian's URL for the website? After some research and help from Clint I was able to find some Gabriel off road shocks that have 4" more of travel which is perfect for a 3" or 4" lift kit. Please e-mail me if interested and I will send you some part numbers.

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