Rubi springs - longest shock without unseating springs?

[CptFloridaMan]

I’m not really planning to lift my jeep anymore than it is with the rubi springs as my end goal is 35s, I’m also looking for adjustable shocks so I can tinker with settings depending on the load or my driving situation. So I guess my goal is a low COG build only enough to run 35s.

Currently, I’ve been researching the best way to set up my suspension, and not have too little up travel, and not making use of whatever shocks I install. Knowing the rubi shock lengths I’m compiling options though.

My main concern with the fox set if I opt for the slightly longer rear shocks is the rear shock length being 28.6 inches and concern with the rear springs popping out. I've seen fox 2.0s being run and those are 26.85in long extended. Just don't know if the extra few inches make a difference(that's what she said).

My current research palate so to speak:
numbers in inches

	Compressed	Extended	Travel
Rubi front	15.57	23.625	8.05
Rubi rear	17.5	26	8.5
Fox DSC 2.5 0-1.5" front	15.87	25.5	9.7
Fox DSC 2.5 2-3" rear	17.43	28.6	10.17
Rough Country vertex front	16.1	26.57	10.47
Rough Country Vertex rear	17.13	26.93	9.8

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[blnewt]

Can't help w/ the shock selection but have you considered high fenders for more room keeping it a LCOG setup?

 

[The Last Cowboy]

You could always use limiting straps if that’s your concern.

 

[old schooler]

If you are considering the Fox 2.5, I would suggest also looking at the Old Man Emu BP51.

 

[CptFloridaMan]

Can't help w/ the shock selection but have you considered high fenders for more room keeping it a LCOG setup?

Oh absolutely, they’re at the top of the list right now.

You could always use limiting straps if that’s your concern.

Completely forgot they exist to be honest. Depending if i can’t stay stock springs I think synergy springs might be an option. For now i’m still reading up

If you are considering the Fox 2.5, I would suggest also looking at the Old Man Emu BP51.

Off to google i go, thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Roky]

I’m not really planning to lift my jeep anymore than it is with the rubi springs as my end goal is 35s, I’m also looking for adjustable shocks so I can tinker with settings depending on the load or my driving situation. So I guess my goal is a low COG build only enough to run 35s.

Currently, I’ve been researching the best way to set up my suspension, and not have too little up travel, and not making use of whatever shocks I install. Knowing the rubi shock lengths I’m compiling options though.

My main concern with the fox set if I opt for the slightly longer rear shocks is the rear shock length being 28.6 inches and concern with the rear springs popping out. I've seen fox 2.0s being run and those are 26.85in long extended. Just don't know if the extra few inches make a difference(that's what she said).

My current research palate so to speak:
numbers in inches

	Compressed	Extended	Travel
Rubi front	15.57	23.625	8.05
Rubi rear	17.5	26	8.5
Fox DSC 2.5 0-1.5" front	15.87	25.5	9.7
Fox DSC 2.5 2-3" rear	17.43	28.6	10.17
Rough Country vertex front	16.1	26.57	10.47
Rough Country Vertex rear	17.13	26.93	9.8

I’m not sure I understand why you’re putting longer extended length shocks in the rear.
I don’t think you’ll have a problem though, but it’s easy for you to check. Just jack up the rear, pull off the wheel, unbolt lower shock mount and swing shock out of the way. Put jack stand under the frame . Let floor jack down until axle stops, or spring loosens, then measure center to center of shock mounting holes.

 

[CptFloridaMan]

I’m not sure I understand why you’re putting longer extended length shocks in the rear.
I don’t think you’ll have a problem though, but it’s easy for you to check. Just jack up the rear, pull off the wheel, unbolt lower shock mount and swing shock out of the way. Put jack stand under the frame . Let floor jack down until axle stops, or spring loosens, then measure center to center of shock mounting holes.

To be honest it’s more of a curiosity thing about putting a longer shock and looking at the compressed lengths seeing as how it would be well into the bumpstop before it bottoms the shock out in theory.

 

[Glamisfan]

On mine Rubicon I unbolted the rear shocks and I think I found I can get 2 inch longer shocks for 2 inches more travel. But I did it real quick so there might be more travel available. On the front I unbolted the shocks and let the axle down and the sway bar stopped the axle so then I took the swaybar links off let the axle down again and it showed I can get 4 inches more travel just with longer shocks.
And if I measured right the stock front spring is 18 inches long and looks like it will be 5 inches when compressed.

 

[chevymitchell]

You can use the Teraflex JK Rear Spring Retainer kit.

I ran into this issue where, at full droop, the rear springs were too loose.

The Retainer Kit is for both the JK and JL, they just haven't marketed it for the JL yet.

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jk-rear-upper-coil-spring-retainer-kit

Here's a pic of them installed on mine:

 

[AnnDee4444]

Don't forget that the rear shocks aren't at a 1:1 ratio with the suspension travel. They're closer to 1.2:1 (depends on height)

 

[CptFloridaMan]

Don't forget that the rear shocks aren't at a 1:1 ratio with the suspension travel. They're closer to 1.2:1 (depends on height)

1.2:1 meaning something like each inch the spring compresses the shock compresses 2 inches for example?

 

[AnnDee4444]

1.2:1 meaning something like each inch the spring compresses the shock compresses 2 inches for example?

Each 1” the spring compresses will be about 1.2” of shock compression.

 

[Glamisfan]

Isn’t that backwards? Won’t it be 1 inch of shock travel will equal 1.2 inches of spring travel

 

[AnnDee4444]

Isn’t that backwards? Won’t it be 1 inch of shock travel will equal 1.2 inches of spring travel

No, I had it correct. The axle moves up & down roughly parallel to the spring, and the shock has to use more of it's travel for the same suspension movement.

The image is upside down, but this is basically the geometry of the rear suspension as viewed from the side.

a = spring travel
b = roughly 11"
c = shock travel

 

[AnnDee4444]

No, I had it correct. The axle moves up & down roughly parallel to the spring, and the shock has to use more of it's travel for the same suspension movement.

The image is upside down, but this is basically the geometry of the rear suspension as viewed from the side.

a = spring travel
b = roughly 11"
c = shock travel

I hope my math is correct, but here's how I think it works out. This is not accounting for the fact that the suspension actually travels in an arc (which depends on your rear control arm length). It's probably not worth calculating that though.

Rear Shock Length	Suspension Height (0" = Stock JLR)	Shock:Suspension Ratio
17.0	-6.7	1.31
17.5	-6.0	1.29
18.0	-5.4	1.26
18.5	-4.8	1.24
19.0	-4.1	1.23
19.5	-3.5	1.21
20.0	-2.9	1.20
20.5	-2.3	1.19
21.0	-1.7	1.17
21.5	-1.2	1.16
22.0	-0.6	1.15
22.5	0.0	1.15
23.0	0.6	1.14
23.5	1.1	1.13
24.0	1.7	1.13
24.5	2.3	1.12
25.0	2.8	1.11
25.5	3.4	1.11
26.0	3.9	1.10
26.5	4.5	1.10
27.0	5.0	1.09
27.5	5.6	1.09
28.0	6.1	1.09
28.5	6.7	1.08
29.0	7.2	1.08
29.5	7.7	1.08
30.0	8.3	1.07

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