Longer Shocks for your Lifted Isuzu

[nasty610]

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to my personal pet peeve on the Planet. SHOCKS.

Every week or two someone asks what shocks they should run. Without fail "Buy OME or Bilstein" shows up within the first 5 posts. Nothing against either but most people don't realize there are other shocks available. The big thing that catches most people's attention is the 46mm piston and velocity sensitive valving. Because of marketing hype you'd think you need a big name shock to get those features. The truth is most of the better OE replacement shocks have a 42-46mm piston and can be purchased locally. Most of them go for less than $100 per shock as well and there's no shipping charge.

While we're on the subject of longer shocks I want to mention post extensions. To put it simply they are garbage. Don't waste your money just buy the right shocks the first time.

Ok now there's a few people on here that understand hydraulics but for those that don't I'll explain velocity sensitive valving. When you force fluid through at hole or around a shim stack there's a certain amount of resistance that's proportion to how hard you push. The harder(faster) you push the more resistance there is. Now when your tire smashes into an obstacle it forces the shock to compress quickly which creates lots of resistance but hit the same obstacle very gently and there's very little resistance. BOOM velocity sensitive. The cheapest POS shock on the market is velocity sensitive.

The piston plays a major role in how shock rides. Without getting technical a larger diameter piston will always ride better than a smaller one. This holds true even with stiffer valving in the larger piston. Stock Isuzu used 30mm front and 25mm rear so it shouldn't be harder to find something better.

So how do I plan to help the beleaguered members Planet Isuzoo? The same way I always do with cheaper alternatives.

I looked in my 96-97 Trooper FSM for the OE lengths of the shocks. Then I had to scour, well Google did, the Internet for the 1g Trooper and Rodeo numbers. 1g Troopers and Rodeos share the same rear shock so it made things easier. Something I didn't realize is that Isuzu spec'd the same size shock for every single front end from 81 Troopers to 04 Rodeos. Guess you don't mess with a good thing or they were to cheap to do something better.

Now I slected all these shocks because they are longer than stock Isuzu shocks. The down side to this is you have to lengthen your bump stops. If that's a problem if suggest not lifting your vehicle. They also have more overall travel to increase articulation.

To calculate how much to move your bump stop you need to subtract the compressed length of the stock shock from the compressed length of the shock you want to use. So if your stock shock has a compressed length(CL) of 12" and the shock you want to use has a CL of 15" then you need to more your bump stop down 3". The goal is to not have your shock be the limit.

New CL - Old CL = amount to move bump stop
15 - 12 = 3

One other thing I should mention is the shock mounts. I checked to make sure they are the right style but they may need work to fit. Such as a 1/2" bushing needs to be drilled out to 3/4" for a 92-02 Trooper. The bright side though is that you can buy any of these at AutoZone, Advance or Napa. Possibly with a lifetime warranty. Make sure to check them in the store BEFORE you leave.

There's a few front shocks to choose from. The major challenge is that we already have one of the longest travel front shocks of all the OE's. Just about everyone uses a 3-4.5" shock on their IFS. Isuzu uses a 5.1" travel shock. The ones that do have more are way too long to work.

Ok I've completed the list. I included a few full size truck shocks. They should only be selected if you're constantly hauling a load. Remember most of these will need minor work to fit.

92-02 Trooper shock mounts
Front upper mount stud---lower mount 12mm X 32mm
Rear upper mount 14mm--upper bushing 38mm wide--lower mount 18mm--lower bushing 40mm wide

81-91 Trooper & 92-97 Rodeo shock mounts
Front upper mount stud--lower mount 12mm X 32mm
Rear upper mount stud--lower mount 14mm--lower bushing 33mm wide

Front Shocks ALL models and years
2/98-06 Toyota Land Cruiser front shocks--ext bump stop 1"--reduce droop stop 1"--may max out CV
02-09 Hummer H2 front shocks
92-96 Ford F-150 forward of axle front shock--ext bump stop 1"--reduce droop stop 1"--May max out CV
03-05 Ram 1500 front shocks

Bilstein
5125 series
33-230405 stock length shock

92-02 Trooper Rear Shocks ONLY
69-86 Toyota Land Cruiser rear shocks--may need to ext bump stops up to 2"
84-89 Toyota 4Runner Rear shocks--ext bumps stops 1.5"
83-88 Toyota pickup 1 ton--ext bump stops 1"
99-05 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 rear shocks--ext bump stop 1.5"
99-04 Jeep G Cherokee rear shock--ext bum stop 1"
05-10 Jeep Grand Cherokee rear shock--ext bump stop 2.5"
06-10 Jeep Commander rear shock--extend bump stop 2.6"
85-05 Chevy Astro rear shocks--ext bump stops 1"
98-00Ford Ranger rear shocks--ext bump stops 1"
97-03 F150 rear shocks--ext bumps 1.5"--good for heavy loads
04-08 F150 rear 2wd shocks--ext bump stops 2.5"
01-12 Ford Ranger--there's several options look them up. All are rear shocks
85-95 Nissan Pathfinder rear shocks--ext bump stops 1"
85-97 Nissan D21(hardbody) rear shocks--extend bump stops 1"
98-04 Frontier 4wd rear shocks--extend bump stops 1"
98-04 Pathfinder & 99-04 Xterra are the same as Frontier
97-11 Dodge Dakota rear shocks--ext bump stops 2.75"

Fox Racing--all shocks have 1/2" mount holes
985-24-003 stock length internal reservoir shock
985-24-004 8" travel internal reservoir shock
985-24-050 stock length external reservoir shock
985-24-051 8" travel external reservoir shock
985-24-052 10" travel external reservoir shock
985-26-050 stock length external reservoir shock w/ compression adjusted
985-26-051 8" travel external reservoir shock w/ compression adjusted
985-26-052 10" travel external reservoir shock w/ compression adjusted

Bilstein
5125 series
33-062518 stock length shock 255/70 valving
33-233970 7" travel shock 255/70 valving
33-230313 8" travel shock 170/60 valving
33-185590 8" travel shock 255/70 valving

5165 series external reservoir
33-187861 stock length shock light valving
33-187885 stock length shock heavy valving
33-176223 8.8" travel shock light valving
33-176230 8.8" travel shock heavy valving

82-91 Trooper & 92-97 Rodeo Rear ONLY
80-89 Toyota Land Cruiser Front shocks
91-98 Toyota Land Cruiser rear shocks--ext bump stops 1"
1/98-06 Toyota Land Cruiser Rear shock--ext bump stops .5"
00-06 Toyota Tundra 4wd rear shocks-.5-1"
08-15 Toyota FJ Cruiser rear shocks-ext bump stops 1"
07-16 Toyota Tundra Shocks--ext bump stops 2"
99-06 Mitsubishi Montero rear shocks--ext bump stops 1.5"

Fox Racing--all shocks have 1/2" lower mount hole
985-24-008 stock length internal reservoir shock
985-24-057 10" travel external reservoir shock
985-26-057 10" travel external reservoir shock w/ compression adjusted

Bilstein
5125 series
33-065283 8.2" travel shock
33-230450 8.6" travel shock

5165 series external reservoir
25-177480 stock length shock
25-177473 8.8" travel shock


98-04 Rodeo, 02-04 Axiom, 01-03 Rodeo Sport & 98-00 Amigos Rear Shocks ONLY
81-91 Trooper rear shocks
92-97 Rodeo rear shocks
Any shock listed above for 81-91 Trooper or 92-97 Rodeo provided you have driver side bent trailing link to clear gas tank.

[geoffinbc]

OME shocks also have a heavy duty 5/8" rod. The chrome plating on it is amazing. Mine doesn't even have discoloration. Every cheap shock I have ever used has not held up over time even though they worked great the first couple years. I guess it depends on how much you like changing shocks.

Back when Edelbrock was doing suspension I bought their IAS shocks. They were $110 each and I was hesitant to buy them. Buy boy I'm glad I did. I ran them for 10 years and I parted my S-10 out after that and they still worked great. Before that $35 shocks were on a year or two replacement schedule.

I don't want to make anyone fell like they have to buy $100 shocks or they are getting garbage but save for a few show off brands, shocks are get what you pay for. I would suggest buying something others can vouch for and which fit your budget.

[nasty610]

I'm not saying OME, Bilstein or any other aftermarket shock aren't worth it. I'm just tired of everyone thinking there isn't anything else. The reason I didn't list a single shock brand is I'm not partial to any of them. If someone wanted they could pick a vehicle off the list and then buy from Fox Racing. I wanted a list of options outside what is offered by OME and Bilstein.

[geoffinbc]

Ahh got ya. So this list just finds you the right size.

[nasty610]

Pretty much. This is a list of vehicles with shocks that will work based on extended and compressed lengths. I'll fix the first post so it doesn't sound like I'm on a soap box.

[egagnon086]

So I notice you don't list any 2nd Gen rodeos or amigos. I'd imagine going any longer in the front may be the same shock. And in the rear I have know idea.

[nasty610]

The front shocks are all identical doesn't matter what model or year we talk about. Rears are pretty short on the 2g Rodeos and Amigos. Pretty sure that has to do with the gas tank being in the way of the upper control arm. I'm hesitant to find anything for those vehicles. Some people will never under stand that a longer shock won't make the arm magically miss the fuel tank. I'm going to add them but what you see now has taken me all day.

[nasty610]

Ok I added some real quick for the 2g Rodeo, Amigo, Axiom and Rodeo Sport. I doubt I'll find many more since they are so close in size to the 1g Trooper and Rodeo. I'm going to start adding some more expensive options as well.

[RocketcarX]

So to go with the ball joint flip kit and low profile bump stops, as well as T-bar cranking on my 99 Trooper, would the 97-03 F150 rear shocks give me the added droop I need and while stiffening the ride significantly? Or at least control the super soft front T-bars better than them OEM specific valving in the KYBs. (even with my 1/2 spacer the front suspension is limited by the shock, so I def need a longer shock)
What else would I have to modify bump stop wise? You mentioned more than one bump stop.
I have the KYB Gas-a-just shocks all the way around currently, they control the upgraded Moog 812 rear springs wonderfully, but are just too compliant to really control my front suspension, it cycles way too quickly off road.

[nasty610]

The 97-03 F150 shocks will not work on the front suspension unless you replace the shock towers. Stock front shocks have use a post mount on top and the F150 rear shocks use a bolt.

[RocketcarX]

It's hard to tell what shock you mean for what by your list, could you point in the right direction for my request

[nasty610]

First post edited for clarity.

[egagnon086]

When you say bent Upper control arms are you meaning the Bent upper Trailing link, driverside only to clear the gas tank.

Control arms are only up front, don't really want to fiddle with those or you may hurt the R&P, even with Calmini UCAs.

[nasty610]

It's still a control arm regardless of where it's placed, but yes I'm talking about the rear upper. I'll change the first post so people don't get confused.

[PPCLI-JIM]

Jees guys cut the guy some slack, theres a fair bit of info that listed pretty consisly here. Ive been following it for a while after all the info thats listed here is exhausted, Thats when you start to have to call the suspension gurus that know about 30 brands worth of internal dampening by design and how to adjust each one according to the wheel unsprung weight.

[nasty610]

I appreciate it but it's not a big deal. Everyone questions and unfortunately information isn't always clear the first time around. I've had to make so many revisions to my various threads and I'm sure there will be many more. This thread in particular is a little different as well. My other ones are pretty clear cut on what works and what needs to be modified to work. In this thread everything needs to be modified with little to no instruction as to what to do. Unfortunately I've given answer in my other threads and people expect that now. I just don't have the time or money to figure out the mods required for each shock. Hopefully as people buy some of these they will post up what's required to make them work.

[Johnthegoon]

Well I, for one, would like to go on record and thank you for what must be a considerable amount of time and effort spent in research and collation to present the information that you've done in your various posts. This is all information that is available, but scattered and inconvenient, and you've done the leg-work to make it centralized and concise. This type of thing is what makes the planet better than 99% of all the other automotive forums out there. Now, if someone is searching for info, this post will come up and they get their answer - that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Nice work.

[RocketcarX]

I would be one of those real world testers, it was with your list I did the Moog 812 upgrade in my 99 trooper. The info was spot on. I only ask for clairity in the list in order to do the shock testing as well.

[egagnon086]

They really should put this and his other spring post in the hall of fame section. So they don't get lost.

[totten]

Thanks for all hard work and posting of information of shocks, That will help everybody out. Tony

[nasty610]

I'd rather they don't go to the Hall of Fame section. None of the new guys know to look there. It'd be a lot better if they ended up as stickies.

[roadsterdoc]

Great post! You've opened up lots of options for us all, saved money for some, and cost money for others (who realize we can get Fox Racing shocks with external reservoirs!). Many thanks.

Minor typo to correct in your first post in BOLD:
"91-91 Trooper & 92-97 Rodeo shock mounts"
Should read "81-91....."

[nasty610]

Thanks got that fixed surprised no one caught that. Glad this helped you.

[nasty610]

Just curious if anyone has used any of the shocks listed? With my new job I don't have a lot of spare time to spend on here. I'd love to say I've tried something but I just got my 1g running again after over a month of chasing electrical issues.

[Dingbat]

Not from this list.
But I did acquire a set of Monroe 58253 for the front, to try once the y car rated shocks die.