shock extenders allow more travel on your stock shocks. HBS says that you don't need new shocks or shock extenders for a 2.5" leveling kit. i'm not really worried about mine because i have a lifetime warranty on my shocks. if i pop one then i'll just change my pants and head to advance to get a new one.

as far as alignment goes, you're putting everything back in the same location. what could possibly get knocked out of whack during the install?

 

the extenders are only 14.99 (where live) so its not gunna hurt my feelings to get em, and id just rather stay on the safe side cuz i do off road with it, (not muddin, just trailin) and when i hit a pothole i dont want it to extend all the way just in case it hurts the from doing that.