Help with shocks

[CNCwell]

My lift 3" lift shipped today. I been reading on here for days trying to decide which shocks to use. I think it is narrowed down to BDS, Bilstein, Rancho or Skyjacker. Does anyone have a preference on these? If so is there any out there that would be a direct bolt on after my 3" LiftMeister lift is installed? If you could give me part numbers also that would be great. (Don't worry, I won't ask anyone to come install them!haha)

[ErikSS]

As Mark recommended when I bought my 3" lift from him this spring, I bought the Skyjacker N8030. I've never run the others, but I'm happy with my Skyjacker.

[Moots1288]

A couple of guys have skyjackers and like them, me and v7guy have bds.fox 2.0 shocks and I am a fan of them.

[TBYODA]

I bought the Skyjacker N8030.

This what I plan to run once my new radflo's come in. Search on amazon for them, they are currently $44.38/each and fee two day shipping if you have prime

[CNCwell]

Thanks guys. I am luckily a Prime member so I am getting the Skyjackers. Also what about struts?

[mikekey]

What about them?

[TBYODA]

Take a look here, man do a little reading. viewtopic.php?t=20 part number are all there.

[HARDTRAILZ]

N8030 are 76 bucks delivered off Ebay for a pair. Mine should be here tomorrow.

[navigator]

I run the skyjacker N8030s as well.
You'll need a bunch of little washers though to take up the difference in space. I think I used like 8 3/8" grade 8 washers on each side of each shock for a total of 32 washers. I could be off on the count though, someone might have a better memory than I do. the main point is that you'll need to add washers on each side of the shock to fill in the gap on the lower end unless you can press the spacer/bushing out of your factory shocks.

[Cable810]

Skyjackers Are what I'm using 0 issues. I used 5 washers on each side. I think I used 3/16s grade 8 washers....

[Opeth]

Bilstein 5125's here

[ErikSS]

unless you can press the spacer/bushing out of your factory shocks.

I couldn't get mine to press out, so I used a little heat. This is probably not a recommended process, but at midnight it was fun as hell to light it on fire and burn that bushing out. haha

[firefox2501]

For the fronts, you will notice a trend in the build threads. Most folks are running Bilstiens. If you want to splurge, get the Radflo Coil Overs.

For the rears, there is more diversity, but once again, check the build threads and check the link that TBYODA provided. (http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?t=20) I have the Skyjacker 8030s. (~$45 each with Amazon Prime). But instead of a bunch of washers on the bottom shock mount, I picked up a couple nylon spacers at the local hardware store. Been running them for a year with no problems.

The spacers are 1/2" tall with an inside diameter of 1/2". Notice the single washer between the spacer and the shock.

[TBYODA]

I have the Skyjacker 8030s, too. But instead of a bunch of washers on the bottom shock mount, I picked up a couple nylon spacers at the local hardware store. Been running them for a year with no problems.

The spacers are 1/2" tall with an inside diameter of 1/2". Notice the single washer between the spacer and the shock.

Mike that is really good idea. What is between the left washer and shock, is the the steel sleeve?

[Moots1288]

I have the Skyjacker 8030s, too. But instead of a bunch of washers on the bottom shock mount, I picked up a couple nylon spacers at the local hardware store. Been running them for a year with no problems.

The spacers are 1/2" tall with an inside diameter of 1/2". Notice the single washer between the spacer and the shock.

Mike that is really good idea. What is between the left washer and shock, is the the steel sleeve?

that's probably the steel sleeve that goes through the bushing

[firefox2501]

Moots beat me to it. It is the sleeve from the bushing.

That is the reason for the washers on the inside - to keep the sleeve centered on the bushing.

[Trail X]

Nice solution Mike. I was going to post up and say that grade 8 washers aren't exactly necessary here. Your nylon more than proves that.

[TBYODA]

Ok would not the shock move some since there is some space there or is really insignificant.

[firefox2501]

It is going to move on the sleeve regardless of whether you are using a bunch of washers or the spacer+washer combination.

But looking at that picture above, I recall it looking the same way when I installed it. So it is probably insignificant.

[firefox2501]

Nice solution Mike. I was going to post up and say that grade 8 washers aren't exactly necessary here. Your nylon more than proves that.

Thanks James. It is a lot cheaper this way, too. Those spacers are pretty cheap and come in handy for a whole lot of things. (I use them on non-vehicle projects to reduce/isolate vibration.)