Doetsch Upper Control Arm and Coil Spring lift kit install

I personally found dropping tire pressure to about 30-32 psi did a bit, so the tires aren't so inflated that they have a little more side wall flex to them.
Can't say which shocks will work better as I currently have fox 10 inch travel shocks with resievors and need to weld a brace higher on the frame to allow for more travel.
If you haven't gone up in tire size yet the stock light weight tires are just going to remain for a bouncy ride, the day I put bigger tires on it helped with the rear end weight since it's spring under axle and counts as "sprung weight"
The biggest game changer for front shocks was using shocks off a Suzuki samurai. I pressed/hammered out some cross pins from some fabtech shocks I had, and it helped with a minor travel and making it ride more comfortably.

 

more info on the 10 inch shocks? and whats up with the exhaust i see up there? Looking good man, how have u enjoyed the truck after lifting??

 

the kyb shocks u posted are also on Amazon for 30 a piece, u wont have to modify them like your last set. If u ever replace in the future lol

 

My rear shocks are Fox smooth body 10 inch shocks with remote reservoirs and lsc adjusters.
Part #980-06-032
26.1" extended
16.1" compressed
10" travel

The shocks themselves are too long at ride height but they provide full dampening at full rear droop. sadly the complete travel of the shock is limited to the travel of the rear suspension and never comes close to to full extension.
As far as ride goes the valving is also super stiff, I have it on the softest setting and it's perfect combined with weight of the steel wheels and tires.
Personally would like to change the mounting location in order to get full use of the shocks as my intension was to have something serviceable.

Now on to front shocks.

Kyb does make shocks for our 5-lugs, however if you had purchased the doetsch kit it came with longer shocks.
I forget the exact dimensions, but the I personally found the valving in them to be too stiff and wanted something after market that I could go to any parts store and order.
The kit adds lift to the suspension(and loads of ground clearance) but realistically doesn't do anything for travel.

It actually takes away travel because the coil spring isn't able to compress and fully extend.
Using a stock shock that is shorter actually ends up sort of being a limit strap, and handicaps the suspension further. It almost makes it seem like your stuck with those shocks that come with the kit to get the full travel(what's left of it anyway) of the suspension.

I did a bunch of research trying to find something close to the dimensions of the doetsch shocks and the problem I ran into was that I could find the correct lengths and mounting options but the body was too big in diameter to physically fit through the lower control arm.
Another thing I kept in mind was weight rating or pretty much 'valving' and how i could probably use a shock from a chevy but it'd be to stiff from the get go because of the weight it was intended for.

Hence using some old mounting cross pins and a regular eyelet/stem shock. A Suzuki Samurai has a pretty close curb weight to that of the 5-lug and for the heavier wheel/tire combo the shocks are pretty good at providing better ride quality.

For reference a stock kyb shock

$37 KYB 343209 Excel-G Gas Shock, Black , Silver

KYB 343209 (excel-g)
14.25" extended
9.65" compressed
4.61" travel

Suzuki samurai shock in kyb(only brand that'll fit through the lower control arm)
KYB KG4616 (Gas-a-just)
15.35" extended
9.84" compressed
5.51" travel

the difference is minimal but makes it so the shock is not at full extension before the suspension has fully extended.



Also i have a custom stainless steel exhaust with a side exit that goes over the frame and behind the body panel that dumps in front of the back tire.