I cycled my rear suspension on my '97 Tacoma with the shocks off and took some measurements, because I will be getting new shocks, eventually and I want to make sure I get the correct ones. The truck is lifted about 2.5" all the way around and has custom Deaver leaf packs in the rear.
The drivers side measured 17.5" compressed and about 22.5" extended. The passenger side measured 19" compressed and about 23" extended. When I lifted each side, I couldn't get the opposite side tires, completely off the ground, but I'm sure they were close enough. I read a few articles about measuring for shocks and they said to subtract .5" off of the compressed length so the shocks won't bottom out, which makes sense. So, I am understanding that I should get a shock that has a collapsed length of 17" for the driver's side and 18" for the passenger side, is that correct? But, I am wondering if the suspension could compress more with the weight of the truck, gear/trailer at speed on rough terrain or just over bumps on the road. I will be getting the proper length bumpstops to keep from bottoming out the shocks. But, I want to make sure my shocks and bumpstops won't limit my up travel, too much. So, I am thinking of getting the next length shorter. I am going to be getting the Bilstein 5165's for the rear. I have 10" Bilstein 5125 shocks on it, right now and at rest height, they have about equal stroke distance between up travel and down travel and that's with the bed empty. I'm thinking the 10" shocks should be fine.
Those measurements are without any bumpstops and with the bed empty.
Just an update:
I just measured the ride height of the shocks from eye to eye. The driver's side measured 19.5" eye to eye and the passenger's side measured 21". Seems like I should have more than 2" of up travel from ride height.
The drivers side measured 17.5" compressed and about 22.5" extended. The passenger side measured 19" compressed and about 23" extended. When I lifted each side, I couldn't get the opposite side tires, completely off the ground, but I'm sure they were close enough. I read a few articles about measuring for shocks and they said to subtract .5" off of the compressed length so the shocks won't bottom out, which makes sense. So, I am understanding that I should get a shock that has a collapsed length of 17" for the driver's side and 18" for the passenger side, is that correct? But, I am wondering if the suspension could compress more with the weight of the truck, gear/trailer at speed on rough terrain or just over bumps on the road. I will be getting the proper length bumpstops to keep from bottoming out the shocks. But, I want to make sure my shocks and bumpstops won't limit my up travel, too much. So, I am thinking of getting the next length shorter. I am going to be getting the Bilstein 5165's for the rear. I have 10" Bilstein 5125 shocks on it, right now and at rest height, they have about equal stroke distance between up travel and down travel and that's with the bed empty. I'm thinking the 10" shocks should be fine.
Those measurements are without any bumpstops and with the bed empty.
Just an update:
I just measured the ride height of the shocks from eye to eye. The driver's side measured 19.5" eye to eye and the passenger's side measured 21". Seems like I should have more than 2" of up travel from ride height.
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