Which Shocks for Mopar (blue Lovells) Coils

[metallibanger05]

Originally Posted by Chaser

I just finished putting in the Mopar (Lovells) shocks. After a quick test drive all I can say is WOW... Makes me wonder if my standard shocks were stuffed. The truck is way more compliant and isn't unsettled over every pebble in the road. Maybe slightly more body roll but it's almost comfortable to drive now! The shocks are almost exactly 50mm longer than standard. At full droop with the swaybar unbolted the springs aren't going anywhere. Definitely happy so far.

sounds like i should go these 2, how much did ya pay 4 them? and where did ya get them from? cheers

[SeaComms]

North Coast Wrangler (a few posts above) can get them for you - think it was $260 a pair + frieght from memory, Will check and confirm (EDIT: Confirmed)

Tom, as for the ride, the stiffer ride of the thicker mopar coils is whats bumping me around, combined with the reasonably stiff stock shocks (to cope with the relatively soft stock coils I would presume) so I am thinking that a softer shock would make the ride a little less bone jarring. Its not the SWB effect (owned a few SWB's now, mostly a lot smaller than this!) just the springs are pretty stiff!

Oh well, time to get out and measure the stock shockies so I can complete that chart properly.

[North Coast Wrangler]

Seacomms I have a pair still at work if you want them.

[Yom]

Also just quickly, the lovells shocks on my mate's Patrol are intense! They've been ripped off the rear axle by rocks during pace and fury - they have been ghetto fabbed back into place numerous times and yet they still work smoothly and without weeping.

I had them on my pootrol as well. So i think they're a good option if you're not looking for all out articulation - not that a jeep has an issue with not enough for most tracks anyway.

[SeaComms]

OK... Finally have some facts

Rear (lifted 63mm by mopar 2" coils)
Stock Shocks - 575mm extended, 375mm compressed
Shock length at suspension resting - 550mm
Full compression to bump stop has 435mm between shock mounts
Bump Stop Clearance 140mm
Droop available with stock shocks and mopar 2" coils - 25mm

Front (lifted 67mm by mopar 2" coils)
Stock Shocks - 557mm extended, 360mm compressed
Shock length at suspension resting - 527mm
Full spring compression to bump stop has 407mm between shock mounts
Bump Stop Clearance / uptravel available - 120mm
Droop available with stock shocks and mopar 2" coils - 30mm

Bottom line - need longer shocks!!!

At the moment the Mopar (Lovells) are a good option with an extra 60mm extension, but would still love to have adjustables in there to soften the ride when driving around empty and still with no bars front or rear. Then be able to stiffen them up a little as the load increases with front and rear bars or luggage on a trip - without having to replace them.

Only adjustables I can find info on at the moment are the Rancho 9000XL, with the 4in version sitting perfect for the job. The Ranchos would still have rear 30mm and front 15mm travel before bottoming out even with the stock bumpstops, and an extra 78m front and rear extension. Front would be OK but rear would need coil retainers to be safe.

The 40mm adjustable Tough Dogs might be an option and get very good reviews on some other forums but I cant find any facts/figures/prices for them at the moment. Will keep looking as I am not in a desperate hurry.

Decisions decisions!


Updated Google Docs Shocky comparison

[Yom]

Make sure you look into whatever shocks you buy 100%, especially tough dogs and just see how they cope with our conditions. I think site member dhard has them?

I know maybe 5 or 6 guys who've used them on Patrols and a hilux and all but one have had to throw them out due to the adjusters ceasing up and then the spewing oil out the top.

[SeaComms]

Thanks for the feedback Yom, hadn't heard of anyone with them on a Jeep yet, probably why I seem to be having problems finding out any info in my searching.

The Rancho's get some really good reviews so might have to save up for them. They are about $70 each dearer than the mopar's which seem to get good reviews for the mopar springs too, but really leaning toward and liking the idea of the adjustables.

Would love to see what they ride like if I could find someone close to home with similar setup! One day maybe... Might need to buy a bull bar in the very near future, so shock may have to end up waiting a little longer