Finding maximum suspension compression.

Ok so the obvious test for this seems to simply place a jack under one rear wheel (axle) and lift till the other rear wheel lifts off the ground. Is this right? I measured the distance at ride height from the bump stop to where it will hit. It's 5". When I jacked up the drivers rear wheel, it only came up 2.5" until the other rear wheel lifted up. Is is safe to say I have 2.5" of up travel? I know if I add more upward momentum, it could go higher but but how much, because the other wheel will want to lift off the ground. How can I go full stuff or get the bump stop to bottom out in the garage to measure shock length at full compression?

Is that a fair assessment? I'm trying to figure out if I can move my shocks to a different mounting position on my BAMF upper mount w/o the shock toppinging out. It will be close to topping out at the full 5" of up travel in this position but my style of driving doesn't seem to get me there as I don't go too fast.

That said I have a ton of droop I just jacked up my truck and in the inward most position, I almost reached full extension and the wheels weren't even off the ground.

So is it better to have a little more droop than up travel?

 

I am a FNG when it comes to Tacos so take this for what it's worth (coming from the jeeping world). I would suggest removing all but the main leaf and cycling your suspension.

 

^this. To really measure for shock length, you need to fully articulate the rear end. If you are inboarding your shocks with a relocation kit, be aware that the shortest measured shock length will be when both leaf springs are fully compressed, which can happen. Best bet is to take your leaf packs apart, put just the main springs back in, possibly with small blocks to simulate the thickness of the other leafs, then load the bed up with enough weight to make the whole rear end of the frame rest on the bumpstops. Then measure to where you want to mount your shocks, and give yourself an extra 1/2" or so for bumpstop compression.

 

To do it right you really need to strip the leaf pack down and cycle it with just the main leaf. Put it to full bump and make sure the shock still has 3/8" before hitting the bumper.

The shortcut and somewhat risky way is to measure how much up travel you have at the frame bump stop and to make sure you have a bit more travel at the shock. Not ideal, but a good sanity check.