How long are OEM shocks for the KJ?

Bundu Boy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Hey All

Was wondering if anyone out there knows what the max extension for front and rear OEM shocks are...

I'm about to have a suspension upgrade done and I want to compare the lengths of the new vs standard.

I'm currently looking at having an Ironman system installed and for the KJ their Nitro-gas shocks are

Front - max extension is 317mm
Rear - max extension is 570mm

You can checkout the system here
http://www.ironmansuspension.com/jeepcherokeekj.html

Also what are the stock lengths of the front and rear coils/springs.

Thanks all

Bundu Boy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Bumpety Bump Bump! :wink:

I managed to get hold of a magazine article article wherein a Liberty had one of these systems installed. New Springs and Shocks, gave the liberty a 2" lift. Cost is about R6500 ($800.00) installed with alignment

The system uses longer shocks and coils...but how much longer :?:

tonycrd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:31 am

What I know of the CRD's:

The front shocks on the OME suspension are only 15mm longer then the stock ones. The lift comes from the spring that is longer then stock. Giving a total of 50mm / 2" lift.

Same for the rear.

cherokj · **Joined:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:03 pm **Posts:** 64

I've just purchased a pair of NS-131. They are only 11mm longer than stock front shocks. Precisely measured from the platform where the spring rubber rests to the top of the shock that makes pressure on the downside of the top plate rubber.
That said, I'm going to test if i can put a 4mm stainless steel disc over the shock top to gain a bit of drop without screwing up the upper ball joint. We'll see. Anyway I think I'm on the edge if I want my UBJ safe.
I love my 2.5CRD, but that front suspension is a pain in the arse.

Bundu Boy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Hey guys, thanks for your info.

So the OME shocks are not much longer than stock huh?... I wonder how this affects longevity if the lift from the springs is 50mm, but the shocks are only 15mm or 11mm longer. Seems like a 39mm - 35mm shortfall. Do the OME have a high extension length?

Someone set me straight on this

tonycrd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:48 am

Did you measure with the top-plate on? And you should measure from where the shock rests on the clevis...we want to know how long the shock is, not where the spring sits.

The OME springs are much better then the JEEP ones and so they keep your nose in the wind instead of scraping the pavement.

Furthermore there's IFS geometry, since the clevis is placed at an angle and in the middle of the LCA you need to do numbers times 2 (at least). So if you make the shock 15mm longer you gain 30mm of lift.

I could write a whole 1000 word explanation but just look at this pic. Can you guess which one has the OME's?

If you toughen up the springs the car will sit higher. Here's mine with only a 19mm / .75" spacer under the front spring.

bugnout · **Posted:** Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:39 pm

Just changed mine, the rear shocks are 595mm fully extended measured tip to tip

Bundu Boy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Hey Tony

I'm just looking for the max extension on stock shocks compared to the shocks I'll be getting. I want to know how much play there'll be before the new shocks top out.

Hey Bug

Was that length on the stock rear shock?

Also I believe the CRD would use different shocks due to increased weight...

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:29 pm

Bundu Boy wrote:

Hey Bug

Was that length on the stock rear shock?

Also I believe the CRD would use different shocks due to increased weight...

Yes Stock rears off my 05 CRD. I'm not sure if they are the same length as the gassers, but I think they are the same.

I switched to Rancho RSX 17004's which were a bit over 2 inches longer compressed.

cherokj · **Joined:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:03 pm **Posts:** 64

Quote:

Did you measure with the top-plate on? And you should measure from where the shock rests on the clevis...we want to know how long the shock is, not where the spring sits.

If you mean the four nuts top plate of the car the answer is no: it is the same for the two shocks. If you measure the length from the clevis top point the result is: Stock 313.8mm, NS-131 321mm. Only 7.2mm longer. That is because the stock has the clevis notch in a lower position. Anyway that is not a problem as you can use one of that conduit nuts or something like that to gain a bit of lift.

Quote:

The OME springs are much better then the JEEP ones and so they keep your nose in the wind instead of scraping the pavement.

Probably, at least they should given the price. But they are softer than the CRD stock. This is because OME get the lift mainly using a stiffer spring ( and a bit longer ), so they have to softening a bit the shock to keep the comfort of the ride.

Quote:

Furthermore there's IFS geometry, since the clevis is placed at an angle and in the middle of the LCA you need to do numbers times 2 (at least). So if you make the shock 15mm longer you gain 30mm of lift.

The factor in my car is around 1.6-1.7. Never 2x.

Anyway, the OME front shocks are the best option for a KJ mainly because they are the only longer than stock ( as far as I know ). So you still can keep the drop to the limit when lifting the car with a stiffer-longer spring.
Cheers

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:35 pm

Quote:

Quote:
The OME springs are much better then the JEEP ones and so they keep your nose in the wind instead of scraping the pavement.

Probably, at least they should given the price. But they are softer than the CRD stock. This is because OME get the lift mainly using a stiffer spring ( and a bit longer ), so they have to softening a bit the shock to keep the comfort of the ride.

The OEM coils are actually more expensive then the OME coils.OME coils for a KJ are offered in 4 ratings---light(350lbs),meduim(375lbs),heavy duty(400lbs),and CRD coils(OME790's,500lbs).The OEM CRD coils are rated at 410lbs so you need to use the OME790's,the others are mainly made for a gasser KJ.

Quote:

Quote:
Furthermore there's IFS geometry, since the clevis is placed at an angle and in the middle of the LCA you need to do numbers times 2 (at least). So if you make the shock 15mm longer you gain 30mm of lift.

The factor in my car is around 1.6-1.7. Never 2x.

You got to figure 2X with the KJ's front IFS,a 3/8" clevis will give you 3/4" of lift.

But shocks have zero effect on the amount of lift on a vehicle,the springs are what give you lift or spacers.Shocks only control compression and rebound of the springs.

Fouros · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:34 am

mate

before you spend your hard earned on that iron man lift work out the price difference between it and the OME lift

we have had a few guys install the ironman in aus and have got virtually no lift at the front about 1" on a Petrol model

i have clocked up over 100,000 kilometers on my OME springs and the fronts have sagged probably 5-7mm at most

just food for thought

cherokj · **Joined:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:03 pm **Posts:** 64

tjkj2002,tonyCRD:
When I wrote this:[/quote]Quote:
The OME springs are much better then the JEEP ones and so they keep your nose in the wind instead of scraping the pavement.

Probably, at least they should given the price. But they are softer than the CRD stock. This is because OME get the lift mainly using a stiffer spring ( and a bit longer ), so they have to softening a bit the shock to keep the comfort of the ride.

Quote:

I was talking about shocks while tonyCRD was talking on springs. My mistake.
I've not tested any OME springs, mine are a pair of custom springs that give me a bit more than 50mm lift ( depending on the clevis lift ).

As for the lifting factor, MY experience with MY KJ was never 2x.

cherokj · **Joined:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:03 pm **Posts:** 64

I made a mess with the quotes :lol:

, but you got the picture...

Bundu Boy · **Joined:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:31 pm **Posts:** 35

Hey Fouros

I hear ya man. Would love OME but the price here is almost twice as much, R6000 vs R10000. Food for thought... you're right there, but cash in the pocket is another matter... I'm gonna have to fork out about another R6000 shortly for some new treads for my KJ.... sometimes I wish I had a money tree

Still time to go though, maybe the OME coils with the Ironman shocks is an option.... If my business does real good over the next few months then I'll maybe give my 'delivery truck' an OME upgrade :wink:

all those heavy dog beds I sell are wearing out the business vehicle's suspension..... :wink:

oh yeah, the truck's tyres are also wearing out faster than I thought. :wink:

BTW - you never did give me answer (cardomain) on what tyre size you're running :lol:

tonycrd · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:05 am

cherokj wrote:

I've not tested any OME springs, mine are a pair of custom springs that give me a bit more than 50mm lift ( depending on the clevis lift ).

He now that sounds interesting. Are you anywhere in Europe?

Don't mean to be a smart@ss but the OME shocks are gas filled, way bigger and better then the stock which do nothing.

Fouros · **Posted:** Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:33 am

BTW - you never did give me answer (cardomain) on what tyre size you're running

sorry bb

to answer you cardomain question

i have run

245/70R16 Bridgestone D694 at's (REVOS) Very quiet and great in the wet

245/70R16 BFG AT's great traction aired down but get noisy as they wear

245/75R16 Maxxis Buckshot Muddders cheapest bang for your buck mud tyre i could find but have no side lugs for grip in the ruts

now i have

245/75R16 Mickey Thompson ATZ at's (street Tyre)
245/75R16 Cooper Discoverer STT (Off Road Tyres)

the last two are certainly the toughest 10ply carcass 3 ply side walls

they Mickey t's are almost as quet as the 694's and much more than the BFG's
the stt's are awesome

How long are OEM shocks for the KJ?

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