How to determine optimal rear shock length selection

hey tw. this site has been such a great resource and has helped me alot with my build. im at the point now where i want to make the purchase of some rear shocks and after reading through various threads i understand that there are proper measurements to be taken to eliminate the guesswork when sifting through the multiple shock lengths available. if someone could outline the process of taking these rear measurements for me it would be much appreciated. this will be my first time taking these measurements so all the details are welcome. thank you!

edit: i currently have wheelers flip kit with superbumps installed. i remember seeing there was a measurement taken involving the bumps and its compressed length.

 

First, find your collapsed length where your bumpstops hit your frame. Take measurements. Then flex it, find your extended length. Take measurements. Make sure your shocks aren’t the limiting factor, cause they’ll fail real quick if that’s the case. I like to remove rear shocks and let my springs tell me where their limit is...then measure.

Edit...I’m sure there are others on here that can steer you straighter, but at some point it boils down to common sense and measuring.

 

@Wapiti_chaser77 hey thanks for the quick response. to do collapsed length would i jack up one side (on frame near rear tire) of truck until bump contact? at this point could i measure the extended side with shock off? newb questions for sure.

 

What setup are you running in the rear?

 

@Wapiti_chaser77 i have general spring hd pack now with 5100s. definitely entry level purchases. gave me about 2.5 inch of lift over stock.

 

This will help.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-rear-shock-options-with-lengths.584583/

 

@Superdave1.0 thanks man. i definitely came across that page and it does help out. im considering upgrading to the fox 2.0 but just want to make sure im getting the appropriate length for my setup.

 

What shock setup are you looking for? Sounds like the same amount of additional height I have out back with medium dakars. I run 5125 bilstein’s and no complaints so far. But, that was after measuring collapsed and extended height. You can get a very good ballpark in your driveway. Look at the link superdave suggested. Lots of great info here.

 

I loved my 5125's on my Taco. Great value. Better shocks out there, but not at that price.

 

@Wapiti_chaser77 im leaning towards the fox 2.0s. i was thinking the 985-24-118. 15.20 collapsed 24.80 extended. just wanted to be sure they werent going to run too long.

 

Definitely better shocks out there, but you are correct, for the price.

 

Sounds about right. I need to do some more research. It’s 1205 here so im out for the evening.

 

Thanks for the info. there any way you or anyone can let me know which areas to measure or how i can go about doing this with a floor jack/stands?

 

Can measure after you install the lift.

1. Measure from top of bumpstop to frame.
2. Measure shock shaft length.

Shock shaft should be longer.

 

This^^ make sure your bumpstops are stopping your uptravel, and not your shock. I learned this the hard way lol