So, whilst crawling around under my truck seeing what it would take to straighten out my rear bumper, I stumbled across the cause for the loud, annoying "click" Id always hear over small bumps: there is zero, and I emphasize ZERO, bushing remaining at either end of either one of my rear shocks. You can imagine the amount of play they have. Probably helps explain the vibration the rear has under braking below 5 mph as well.

That being said, since I'm going to go ahead and replace the shocks now, any recommendations? Best low-budget option? It's lifted with an extra riser block (~ 3") if that makes any difference (one day I really need to replace that with a single larger block).

 

Can you tell what shocks are on it now?
If you were stock, I'd say Monroe Gas-Magnums, but I don't know if they have that much travel in them.

 

Low budget Monroe, better is Bilstein 5100's

Edit: At one point you could buy the bushing in kit form cheap.

 

No idea what is on there now, they're rusted to Hell. I "assume" the old ones were at one time at least halfway decent, they have proper rubber boots, but I can't even tell what color they were originally painted. They were getting replaced anyway, this discovery just bumped up the schedule a few weeks lol.

I was leaning towards Monroe, for the cost (not really looking to dump too much money into this thing) but I'm concerned about fitting with the lift. Front will be even harder, I have no idea what's installed up there, when the time comes I'll have to put up some pics for you guys to help me out with, but right now I'm just worrying about the rears.

 

Do you wheel the truck hard flex it? If not stock length should be fine same goes for the front, anything over 3" lift needs longer shocks.

 

I don't "yet" but not sure if I ever will. I'm not sure on the amount of lift, but it runs 35"s with plenty of clearance, nothing rubs ever. My understanding is that you need at least 4" of lift to pull that off. To be honest it's overall stance looks pretty similar to your pic Merc. Maybe I should just grab some pics and see what you guys think I have going on.

 

Just yank them and measure them. Travel and overall length haven't changed even thought they worn out.

 

Also a possibility, but then I'm doing the job twice. It's my only vehicle.

I took some pics, I'll get them up in a few. At any rate it would be nice to have at least SOME idea of what's on this thing lol.

 

If that's the case then you need a shock that is 35" extended and about 20" closed. Pix would help but also measure from the ground to the fender lip over the wheel.

 

Ground to fender lip is about 45.5" front, 47" rear. Hard to be exact with the flares in the way.

Pics: Just doing links because I didn't resize the pics and don't wanna destroy forum bandwidth lol.

http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/th...f4bb2.jpg.html

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps96a286a6.jpg

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psce880a70.jpg

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5e8ad426.jpg

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c4a9d10.jpg

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psb435cf07.jpg

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psccd72148.jpg

P.S.: the rear tire is getting changed this weekend (cut the sidewall), waiting for new tire to be delivered, and yes the front sway bar bushings are getting changed soon too.