Shock Info!

[rocmoc]

Flatbed,

I started another topic because I did not want to hijack the Hi topic.

Pulled the shock today, all approx. measurements.

Extended, 23"

Travel, 5"

Shaft size, 7/8"

Spring size, 3 1/2"

I could not find a marking anywhere on the shock or spring.

I think the most important measurement is the extend length. If longer, the CV joint will pull apart. I feel limit straps are a MUST. The rear suspension arm will drop/travel further once the shock is removed. I feel this abuses the shock if the damping is not perfect. I am sure this is what caused the shock to fail. I WILL be installing limit straps. I have not done any corner weights but I would guess at least 700 lbs on the rear corners.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rocmoc]

Kinarfi,

What did you do for a replacement shock? Thanks for the Detailed specs for the shock. I have looked at all the aftermarket brands and no one makes anything with our shaft size and load with less than 8" of travel. Limit straps & bumper stops will safeguard for too much travel. I will probably go with 23" extended, 8" travel and the 2.5 body/damping. I just have to sale an arm & a leg to purchase them.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rocmoc]

Forgot to mention, if you remove the shock two shock spacers the size of wedding rings will fall out. They are located between the shock and the bracket with the bolt running thu the ring/spacer. One on each side (2) of the shock mount, top & bottom (2) for a total of 4 per shock. You will need these to reinstall the/a shock. Don't loose them. They are hard to find at shock shops & 4 wheel drive shop. A regular parts house will not have them, been down that road before.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[flatbed]

rocmoc Talked to my shock contact guy. he is going to have his son check into what they have. I guess i could measure mine to find out the lengths. when you say 23", that is center to center on the shock holes fully extended. I do not believe there is 700 lbs on each rear courner of the car. I would say 500 at the most with 2 people in the car. Next time i take mine to work i will pull it on the scales, might do it before i go to the desert. 500 each tire on the back and maybe 450 on the front apiece. thats 1900 lbs. what do you htink.

[4x4x454]

I really like this topic great one!!! I have been wondering my self what I was going to do. it is only a matter of time i am afraid.

[Kinarfi]

I ordered a stock one from my dealer and even though it was less than 90 days, he said shocks aren't warrantied and it was $140, So I paid for it and have not had any further trouble. The funny thing was, one of his new troopers was leaking from the right rear which is what I had to replace, I bet he got his under warranty

[Kinarfi]

Kinarfi,

What did you do for a replacement shock? Thanks for the Detailed specs for the shock. I have looked at all the aftermarket brands and no one makes anything with our shaft size and load with less than 8" of travel. Limit straps & bumper stops will safeguard for too much travel. I will probably go with 23" extended, 8" travel and the 2.5 body/damping. I just have to sale an arm & a leg to purchase them.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

I'll trade you two disabled legs, one with a fused ankle (currently on a cast) and new shocks from Joyner https://teamjoynerusa.3dcartstores.com/Troo...t_p_9-190.html# for two good legs, I'll even take the left arm if it come with a good shoulder ,

[flatbed]

Looks like joyner is real proud of their shocks. Give me a little time, i'll se what we can do

[rocmoc]

Sorry Kinarfi, did not mean to offend.

Should have said, more expensive than the Wall Street Bailout.

Again Sorry,

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rocmoc]

Thanks Flatbed!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Kinarfi]

Rocmoc, No offense at all, just making lite of my situation, I assume you're not interested in my deal and you won't trade.

If I can't laugh at myself, who can I laugh at? I'd have to cry other wise, and I'd rather laugh.

Sorry if I was misunderstood.

It's all just fun stuff

Jeff

[rocmoc]

No I did not misunderstand, but as the same time I did not want to be misunderstood. Now we can sing around the campfire, LOL!

Glad to hear you cup is half-full.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rocmoc]

Talked to JoynerUSA today. Replacement shock of the same, best price $165/shock. The upgrade shock is a King knockoff but IS NOT King, a clone! I asked them about limit straps and they referred me to Unleashed Motorsports.

Talked to Unleashed and they said some guys were using old seatbelts. What a great IDEA! I replaced both of the seatbelts in the Trooper with camlocks so I had two sets of belts just laying around. I used the lap-belt without the latch. I spread the slot so the lower shock bolt would fit thu. I mounted the slotted metal end on the lower bolt on tire side of the shock. Ran the belt around the upper support mount for the top of the shock and back down. Weaved the belt thu the lock. Now all I had to do is pull on the tightening loop I would normally pull to tighten the belt on my lap. One trick! The spring was adjusted down too much on my shocks, too much spring tension . All compression shock travel, no extension. I backed 1/3" of tension off the springs which equated to 1/2" of sag. This soften the springs, provided more shock travel and enabled me to be able to remove slack in the NEW limit straps. I was surprised how well T2 drove. Went over some up bumps and no banging of the shocks on extension travel.

This will be a great temp fix while I sort thu the shock options.

I did ask Joyner if they could rebuild T2 shocks. They said they did not have the parts YET, but it was something they were looking into. My only concern is quality of the existing shock. What is the difference between the Joyner replacement which includes the spring for $165 and an aftermarket shock less the spring at $300. Has to be quality or the aftermarket guys have a great markup or the price differential of China production cost vs. USA production cost

Anyway I am back on the road at about 90%. I WILL be taking a bunch of pics soon!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[4x4x454]

Thanks rocmoc great idea I will be doing that this weekend.

[Kinarfi]

Here's something to ponder, We have CV joints and they can only take so much deflection from straight, what if we put on a shock with slightly less extension length but slightly more travel? I think this would cost us some ground clearance, but give us more travel, if we have the ground clearance for wheel travel and we wouldn't be risking CV damage.

Just an idea to consider.

Jeff

[flatbed]

shock guy called today. 23.35 " long 2.0 shocks with 8" of stroke with springs, These are fox shocks @ 285.00 apiece. I was very busy when he called, but i think these have 2 springs per shock

[rocmoc]

flatbed,

IMHO, the 2.0 is too light for the weight of the Trooper. I think a min of 2.5 is needed. What do you think? I come to this conclusion from reading Fox's description of their shocks on their site. They write the 2.0 is for a light weight buggy. I don't consider the Trooper light weight. Thanks you for your work!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Kinarfi]

Does anyone have access to some scales and be willing to weigh the front and rear of a Trooper and post it?

[flatbed]

I will get true weights in the next couple weeks, just need time to get to scales. There is a set next door to us at the shop.

[rocmoc]

Here's something to ponder, We have CV joints and they can only take so much deflection from straight, what if we put on a shock with slightly less extension length but slightly more travel? I think this would cost us some ground clearance, but give us more travel, if we have the ground clearance for wheel travel and we wouldn't be risking CV damage.

Just an idea to consider.

Jeff

More to ponder! The rear diff can easily be lower a couple of inches. If you do the shock needs to be a couple of inches longer to accommodate the new longer shock travel. Or use the same length shock and you will have more travel in extension. Something to think about when and if you have to replace your shocks and you are thinking about lowering the rear diff.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico