I ordered a set of Rancho shocks and a set of green Keys from Performance Lifts, the shocks are Rancho model 99289. When I took out the first shock and tried to install the new one, I found that the new shock is 2" too long when compressed with my front wheel sitting on the ground. I e-mailed Performance, their reply is:
<DIV>The Rancho 99289 measure approximately 15.5" inches compressed. The stock replacement is Rancho 99288 and measures 12.750 inches compressed. If you want the stock length Rancho 9000X shocks (they are slightly too short for use with a torsion key) we'd be happy to send you the stock replacements. </DIV>
<DIV>Does anyone have any experience with this subject?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>

the the 289 shock is too long and wont work. you'll have to get the 288 model, which in turn is too short , you'll top out the shock on rebound if you hit a major bump, even speed bumps would top mine out (actually broke my LF shock this way) what i did for a temporary fix before i made up some aluminum spacers was stack both poly bushings on the stud, under the top shock mount (dont over tighten and squish you bushings), this will give you about 1-2 inches of extra rebound by moving the shock towards the ground. hope this helps.

Thank you. You would figure these guys at performance would have known this http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif. Do you have pictures of your spacers? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif


Thanks, Andy.

The guys at PerformanceLifts.com are pretty good when it comes to these kind of things. I have been researching shocks for torsion key lifted trucks for a while now. I think I've found a Bilstein shock that will almost perfect without a spacer but I don't want to give it away just yet.. You may want to check out the 2nd page of this thread (http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8150&KW=y2kboti&PN=0&TPN=2) for som Rancho information I dug up. Hope this helps. Edited by: y2kboti

You could also attach some limiting straps to prevent over extension, I have some on my 4Runner for exactly this reason.http://trailslesstraveled.com/content/techarticles/53/1.jpg You can use the Clevis to adjust them EXACTLY where you want...

sorry no pics, my digi cam is on vacation with the girlfriend for 2 weeks. (only stipulation was she had to take pics of all the different style of bikinis on the beaches of hawaii http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif) hehe, anyways its easy to do, i used 2 peices of 1/2 aluminum stacked for a 1in spacer, cut to the same size as the bottom shock mount (around 1in x 3in if i remember right) unbolt the shock mount, mark the spacers for the bolt holes, drill your holes and remount. you'll need to get 4 new bolts, besure to get high grade ones, you dont want these to break....

If anyone has a picture of this type of spacer, please post a picture. I'm trying to envision it, however, Im not sure how you did it.

Andybull,


Here's the thread:


http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9925&amp;PN=1


Tom http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pig.gif

The other day I had my left front jacked off the ground. I noticed the a-arm was resting on the lower stop as it should, but my shock had actualluy pulled away from the top mounting flange and the top bushing was completley squished trying to compensate. I did some meausuring and found the shock to be about 1/2 " too short. Measured upward travel and found plenty of compression. So I just added flat wahshers untill the shock installed with the right squeeze on both the lower and upper bushing. No I hit both the upper and lower bumpstop and my shock never bottoms out or fully extends. Not to bad for 5 washers on the right side and six on the left. Custom aluminum would be the way to go, but washers work good in a pinch. They are the exact same size as the shock flange and they are all clean and new. Looks okay.


ON EDIT: I just followed the link at the top of the page. The second picture witht eh washers, is exactly what I did. You can do thos mod alone and fix the shock lenght issue. You do not need to adjust the bumpstop or raise the lower mount. Just shim the top of the shock. Easy as can be. I am sure if you do as instructed in the link, it will work even better.Edited by: Bronco

I just purchased a piece of 3/4"x1" bar stock in order to make the lower shims, I also got at the same time, a piece of 1 1/4" round stock aluminum to make the upper bushing extention.


Thanks. Andy. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gifEdited by: Andybull