I would go add a leafs if you tow trailers and such. I have the add a leafs in mine and the 2 inch spacers up front and the add a leafs DO make it ride alot rougher (10 ply Toyo AT's also don't help the ride) but now when i tow the boat, horse trailer, or have 2 tons of hay loaded in the bed or a load of wood it barely sags in the rear...just about enough to level the stance of it out as my rear is still about 2 inches higher than the front empty. but when its loaded down, boy does she ride like a BMW.

 

So, yeah I think the Skyjacker just doesn't have the dampening to handle for the increased stiffness as it feels like there is nothing there at all and it bounces badly when empty.

I have heard that Bilsteins are a good option, however I can't find any locally. How about Ranchos? Any other ones? Any place anyone can recommend online to get decent prices on a good quality rear shock? The fronts are fine I decided. I think my "lift" is about 1.5 inches, so what size should I get? Is a shock meant for a 2" lift too long?

I had Rough Countries in an old truck, and they didn't seem to last, but that might have been a fluke. The SkyJackers in my Wrangler are still going so strong, which is why I went with them. But this is a different animal...

Thanks!

 

I currently have an AAL in my 2002 dodge with the 5.9, and its actually a very good ride imo. Gave it that real truck heavy duty feel, not uncomfortable at all though. And I have the rough countrys in mine, not the best shock but they are working for now until I get a true lift for my truck. What AAL did you go with? It can make a difference which one you use, some of them are stiff with just a little lift, and some of them are softer with a lot more curve to them.

Going with an AAL you actually tend to get better results if you go with the ones made by big name companies, mine is a superlift AAL, I had a fabtech on my 98, and both of them worked great!

 

Hopefully you got the right AAL and not one for another truck or some 'universal fit'. Also, hopefully you installed it in the right direction if it has an offset pin location.

With only 1.5" of lift you should be fine with stock length shocks. Since you are having some issues tuning it you might look for the adjustable Rancho XLs so you can dial it in. If not those then take a look at TrailMaster SSVs or Bilstein 5100s or 5150s.

 

Thanks for the responses. I have the Rough Country AAL from JCWhitney. I think the problem is I installed the rear shocks installed upside down (It was getting dark and I was exhausted and the old lady was yelling at me to get done). I noticed this the other day and about kicked my own a$$, of course when they're upside the valving won't work properly... So yeah, I'm going to turn them around tomorrow weather permitting. Hopefully since I haven't driven too much with them this way I haven't ruined them.

[QUOTEWith only 1.5" of lift you should be fine with stock length shocks. Since you are having some issues tuning it you might look for the adjustable Rancho XLs so you can dial it in. If not those then take a look at TrailMaster SSVs or Bilstein 5100s or 5150s. ][/QUOTE]

So what you're saying is the 2" lift shocks might be too long? Would I be better off replacing with stock length then? Where would you suggest purchasing the shocks you listed? I know some web-stores are better than others, etc...

 

Some shocks let you install them 'upside down'.

The rears for a 2" lift should be the same as 0" lift. The fronts may be slightly longer for a 2" lift. If you did get longer shocks for the rear then they would be marginally longer. You wouldn't notice any difference. You may bottom them out easier but, you'd have to be really pushing the axle up to do that.

You could try 4-Wheel Parts or 4-Wheeler Supply. I have only bought my shocks locally.

 

Yeah, I don't think mine were meant to be installed upside down... If I end up going a different route for rear shocks, what are some good economical options? I have been hesitant about shopping at the local shops as they don't have options for lifts in stock, but if there is no negative ramifications to using a stock length shock, what would be a good option? Ride, handling, and control are important to me... But being as how I already dropped $ on crappy shocks, my budget is limited. I was looking at various Monroe models and maybe Rancho rs5000s... Thanks!

 

whats the standard size blocks in a stock 2wd? I heard you dont want to stack them so I want to pull them out and just have 1 set in.

Also, do I have to get new shocks in the rear as well?

 

2wd's didn't come with blocks. The 4x4 's are 3" blocks.

 

unless its a 2500....then its a 5" block