Rear shock help

Okay, first project in this truck. Disclaimer: I did not build this truck, I bought it from a dealer just outside Dallas. Here’s my first task bringing the truck up to par. The rear end. It has King 2.5” reservoir shocks in the factory locations. Factory shackles and OME Dakar spring packs. I have no idea what packs they are, just the part number “9L13” on the spring. Here’s the issue, there’s only 3.5” of up travel on the shocks at its current ride height. There’s 5.5” of space between the bump stop and frame pad. You can see the issue already. One, I have hardly any upwards travel and when I do bottom out, it’s metal to metal on the shock. I’m assuming the shocks are longer than the factory shocks, but they’re already compressed most of they’re travel being in the factory mounts. I’d like to use these shocks and I’m assuming I’ll need to buy or fabricate some higher shock mounts? I’m thinking new lower axle mounts, higher top mounts, move the driver side shock to the forward position and limit straps. Yes? No? I’m sure I’ll need to actually measure the shocks to see what the stoke is and extended/collapsed length is. But the shocks are under to much pressure to take off by hand (at least in the driveway). The metal body of the shock is 16” long, don’t know the shaft length yet...

 

2nd/3rd gens are not built with a lot of up travel to begin with due to the low upper shock mount. Additionally, you leafs might be sagging.

There's really no reason to pull the shock off. King only makes a few part #s that will fit this application. Pull the measurements off their website and the numbers don't make sense then give them a call. It's not uncommon for people to try and fit a longer shock under these trucks to gain the down travel but you need to limit your bump travel more if you do so.

Personally, start looking into what you want to do with the truck long term and move that direction. A shock relocation is the best solution for starters but if you're trying to due more LT stuff then a bed cage is in your near future.

 

It’s probably gonna get Deavers down the road. It’s got a Camburg LT form end that WAAAAAY out performs the rear end. But I’d be happy with getting at least fully travel for now. I reached out to King but no response. I do only see a few shocks, I’m sure I can narrow it down. I don’t mind some fab work, the back end actually does pretty well as is, but you push it and that metal bottom out is bad

 

I feel your dilemma I ended up doing a shock relocate and HD hangers both from bamf also I’m running the medium Dakar pack. It’s not the best for flex but it’s what I have but you can get some serious flex out if it. I’m running a king 2.0 non resi 12in.
Like mentioned the up travel is what sucks you may look into a sua conversion also but pricey. But this setup performs and rides beautifully now the front can’t keep up with it.

 

I was looking at that same kit. I still can’t find what shocks I have. They seem to be 18.375 collapsed length and 28.375 extended (about) and stud top mount. King doesn’t show these for any Tacoma or Tundra, these shocks are too long. Also finding a stud mount extended shock mount is basically impossible. I was thinking about using an eyelet over the stud? Like this one....

 

if you are dead set on keeping those shocks then theres a few things you can do. lower the lower mounts some. build custom upper mounts that take a stud mount.
in the mean time i would extend the bumps so you are not using the shock as a bump stop

 

This is the plan right now. The ultimate goal is a full Deaver LT SUA conversion. But it is my daily so I’m not in any hurry and I’ll have to save up the $5k to get it done.

 

To lower the Axel shock mount, I would have to cut off the existing mount and weld a completely new one on correct?

 

Yes, but that is less ground clearance. Nice little hook to snag a rock on.
If you have similar shock length as OP, you are better off raising the upper mount location.
Don't forget to break your leaf pack down to main leaf and cycle suspension. Fully bumped you should still have 1/2" of shaft showing so you never clap the shock.

 

heh.. funny story, i been clapping the shock like a standing ovation. Im running the Bamf relocation kit with king 2.5 12 inch shocks, dakar medium leaf pack, hammer hangers. i only have about 2 1/2 inches of shaft showing(first pic). second pic is right side when tucked up fully flexed. third pic is close to fully extended on the other side. dont mind the rag i have on the resis im just waiting on the resi mounts


down travel looks good but up travel is not so good. Im getting longer bumpstops to cushion the impact as a temporary fix but i think my only option is to lower the axel shock mount. exploring the idea of making a custom armor plate on the lower mount to protect against tall rocks without losing the ability to remove the shock completely. could also put in an AAL to lift the rear but id prefer not to unless i have no other option. Any other ideas to help combat this?

 

I would really raise the upper mount.

 

Might just be the angle of the picture but it looks like your lower shock mounts were welded really high. That might be the problem.

 

definitely a possibility. if i want to lower them, im assuming i would have to cut the lower mount off completely and weld new ones on a little lower right?

 

Correct. I also see remnants of the stock lower shock mount. Whoever did the install took a few shortcuts.

 

i had a buddy install the entire kit for 150 bucks and a couple beers. I can live with it lol. do u think i could gain a full inch more of uptravel or maybe half of an inch? Also, maybe with AAL AND the new lower mount i could gain a full inch?

 

The shocks are limiting your up travel. The only real options are to raise the uppers or lower the lower shock mount.

 

i will probably lower the shock mount on the axel. would it be possible to custom fab a lower shock guard?

 

With enough skills or money anything is possible.

before you weld new lower mounts on you should really cycle the suspension and get some measurements on how much the springs will droop and compress. Then tack weld the new lowers on and recheck before welding everything back up. Don’t make the same mistake twice. You may end up finding that moving the lowers alone doesn’t get you enough of a change.

 

if it doesnt grant enough change i will be forced to raise the upper shock mount?

 

Pretty much. There are enough guys running the bamf uppers that you may find someone with a similar spring setup that can give you better pointers about what angle to use on the lower shock mounts.