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Rear Budget Lift + Wheel Travel Increase

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:32 am
by Joebaldwin
Hey all, I've been lurking around this forum for quite some time contemplating a suspension lift. Well, the other day my rear driver's side shock finally let go so I guess it's time to figure something out. I offroad this thing A LOT, so I'm ideally trying to lift around 2 inches and increase wheel travel as much as possible. I'm fairly confident in using Bilstiens 4600s up front with some diy preload spacers, but the rear I'm not so sure about.

I'm thinking to use the 2" spring spacers from Fat Bob's Garage paired with some sort of extended travel shocks. I've heard whispers of using an Armada's rear shocks (Gabriels) across the forum, and looking at the numbers (compressed and extended, considering motion ratios) it looks like they should give around 10.6" of wheel travel. The thing is, their compressed length is about 1.5" longer than the stock shock, and 1" longer than the longest aftermarket shock I could find. To avoid bottoming out the shock, I would figure to raise the bump stop around an inch which (I think) should give slightly more than stock up travel without destroying the shock.

My other concern with these shocks is that at full extension, they droop about 5.5" (at the wheel) more than stock, which I'm concerned may put too much wear on CVs and let too much tension off the springs. Maybe I could toss on some limit straps?

If anyone has any insight on this setup or an alternative that wouldn't be too expensive, I would greatly appreciate it!

Re: Rear Budget Lift + Wheel Travel Increase

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:47 pm
by silverarrow27
I haven't been in the R51 community too long, but the few years I have been here. Never heard of anyone breaking a rear axle or front axle due to lifts/additional wheel travel.

The most wheel travel in the rear from my experience so far is the Radflo extended shocks. For the front, Titan swap.

Re: Rear Budget Lift + Wheel Travel Increase

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2025 11:19 pm
by Joebaldwin
silverarrow27 wrote:
Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:47 pm
I haven't been in the R51 community too long, but the few years I have been here. Never heard of anyone breaking a rear axle or front axle due to lifts/additional wheel travel.

The most wheel travel in the rear from my experience so far is the Radflo extended shocks. For the front, Titan swap.
Good to know the axles aren't a concern!