Shock Quandary

[suicidaltendencies]

So I have a shock question for this build (re-build). If I am understanding correctly, with air shocks, the amount of nitrogen I fill them with, constitutes my ride height.

So if that is correct. This buggy already has shock mounts keep in mind. *Could I run a shock that has a little more or a little less total travel and still use the same shock mount, just adjust the amount of pressure in the shock accordingly?

For instance, it had an 8.5" travel shock on it. *I have looked at a few that I believe to be the same, but dont know if the end to end eye hole amount is the same. I figure I am off by an half inch one way or the other though, I may be able to just use less or more air pressure in the shock.

Any help or advice would be great. thanks

Oh, and an after thought to that question.
I have Fox 2.0 shocks, 12" travel, for the rear. Still not sure on the fronts.
But, do I need to worry about them pulling apart when the tires leave the ground, and the shock goes to full extension, or are they built for that to happen?

(I posted this in my progress build part, but thought i may see a better response here)

[dunerocket]

Ok, so if you use a shock that is overall a bit longer and want to keep the ride height the same, I'm guessing that you will lose some upward travel. *For example if your old set up had ride height at 50% bump, now the new shock might have it at 60% bump, so you will lose some upward travel. *That make sense or am I crazy?

To the best of my knowledge there is a rubber damper in the bottom of the shock for when it goes to full droop. *I don't think it is the best to use the shock as the travel limiter, but it is done alot. *If you had the room, time and extra money I'd use some limiting straps.

[K-fab]

On a light vehicle like a mini or even some of the midis, letting the shock do the limiting is fine. *The overall weight of the suspension, wheel, brake and such is less than just the wheel of some larger cars. * The Air Shox have a top out spring in them to help "catch" the system as it hits full droop. *In the rear shocks on my cars, the top out spring is probably close to 7" long while the front use a spring that's about 4" long.

I do agree that once you start getting into larger and heavier suspension components and wheels that limiting straps are a must, though.

[greasemnky]

You need limiting straps. And to post the picture of the toyota so these people understand just how suicidal you really are. Kfab, you know that picture of you in the miskito on the table top? Try it in a stock tacoma!

You need limiting straps. And yes, you can control ride height with the shock, BUT that is going to cause them to run stiff or soft. Your much better of building an adjustable upper mount, so you can just move the shock up or down as you need. Jays doing that on his buggy.

Plus, you have the correct shocks for the rear, and in the front its not that big a deal to move the mount if need be. We'll do an adjustable set up for ya. That way you can run it high at the dunes, and lower out on the trail.

Did you ever get that eye to eye length together?