New shocks don't fit

[Russell]

Hey guys!

I'm in the middle of installing my 4" lift on my truck. Basically a set of custom made 4" lift springs up front with stock shackles, and a set of 63" 2500 HD springs out back.

I haven't got started on the back yet, but I got my front diff bolted back up this afternoon since finishing an overhaul on it (new bearings, seals, brakes, hubs, and steering). Anyways, after I bolted it in, I went to bolt up my brand new Rancho RS5000 shocks, and they don't fit! I triple checked the part number before buying, which is for 80 - 69 4x4 trucks with 2.5 - 4" of lift, and on the shock themselves.

They are significantly too short too, even pulling the ram all the way out doesn't make them long enough to reach the lower mount

My frame and diff should be stock 1979 3/4 ton stuff, and I know that the springs are definitely 4" lift springs cause I measured them. The mounts are just like any other truck I've seen, so I dunno what I messed up...

Any suggestions?

 

[Hossbaby50]

Do you have any weight on the axle to compress the springs? 4" lift shocks are to short for max flex on 4" lifts. I have the same problem on my truck. My droop is limited by the shocks. This is why alot of guys run the Ford towers and long travel shocks.

Harley

 

[Russell]

Nope, no weight on the front end at all. I haven't installed my engine, transmission t-case, cab or front clip yet...

I don't ever plan on taking the truck off-road, ever, but I do want to be able to have a reasonly good ride. I specifically had softer springs made for the front so they would allow the front suspension to move around a bit to soften the ride, and having the shocks bottom out would bascially under-mine that...

Should a guy go for 6" shocks instead to give a couple extra inches?

 

[southernspeed]

You could just use the 4" shocks which should fit when you get the truck back on it's feet with the weight compressing the springs a bit. If you're planning on wheeling it , fit some limiting straps to protect the shocks.
You say you want a good ride, but you bought 5000s!

 

[Russell]

Yeah, I know!

I'd buy better shocks if I could afford them, but I am on a very tight budget, esspecially after I just overhauled my front diff, transmission, t-case, bought a low miles engine, replaced all the u-joints etc etc etc, lol

I felt that shocks are easy to replace later, but other stuff isn't, so I had to be choosy what I spent my money on... You can definitely tell when you look at the body, lol

 

[southernspeed]

I used Edelbrocks on the front ( they were the rears off of my stock height springs) that worked perfectly and Procomp es3000s +6" on the rear. Cheap shocks (the procomps) but give a good ride and work well enough for me off road.
I've done a shackle flip with zero so it should be around 4" lift but the +4" es3000s were too short. +6s did the job fine. I get good drop and no problem on compression although I intend extending the bump stops to suit the lift soon anyway.