Ok I,ve just done the rotation and I bought the 99 f150 4x4 rear shocks and also the crown vic 1998 shocks. Now my questions are this the crown vic. shocks are 3" shorter than the Calmini shocks at full extention so I won,t get any droop. And the F150's are 6" longer than the Calmini's and my spring is SUPER loose like I can just pull it out without any prob. Has anyone else had this delima? I was thinking of limiting straps or relocating the lower mt 3" higher and cutting off the tabs that hang down and running the Calmini shocks. I hope that all made sence.


      Kevin

Hmmmm, I thought the F150 shocks were only supposed to be 3" longer than the Calmini units.......  I hope Mike drops in for some info.

Bill

Me too

F-150 shocks are too long without a relocated upper shock
mount, the Crown Vic shocks were the best fit and work good.

However, I use stock springs with a 3" spacer, your Calmini
shocks and springs might be a different fit than what I get

I did extend the rear shock mounts from the axle so it doesn't
hit the shock tube on the axle housing, I have a new design in
mind that will move the shock a little higher and out on the axle
housing.

I thought the Crown Vic shocks were the same length as the
Calmini ones ? 

What year did you get Kevin ?  I got ones for a 98'

98 but they were too short Wild. Mike help

What Rancho shock are you using? The RS5234? If so the one for the 2wd might be the answer as it is 3" shorter extended length.

My data shows this for the Ford 150 trucks so 2wd or 4wd is a 3" differance

Number     extended     compressed     travel      application
RS5234     27.00"          15.75"              11.25       97-04 4wd (without lift)
RS5236     24.00"          14.37"              9.625       97-04 2wd
     

To run the F150 4x4 shocks the upper mount has to be raised. The F150 2wd shocks are about 2 inches shorter than the 4X4 ones. The Crown Vic shocks may be shorter in overall length in comparason but I belive the travel is the same as the calmini shocks. I have been told the newer Calmini kits came with longer travel shocks. You may have the newer version. If thats the case you may want to just use those. During the overrotation the lower shock mount needs to be moved. To get the full travel I would move the upper mount as high as possible. Let the axle hang to the point that the coil just releases and Tack weld my lower bracket there. Then I would remove the rear coils, put the tires on, and jack one side up untill the shock bottoms out. This way if your tire is still 2 inches away from rubbing you can easily raise it or lower it to your satisfaction.  I would try to get the tire as close to 1/2 from rubbing as possible. Thats going to be your best handling and performance. Does this make sense?

Mike

Thanks guys I'm still playing around with different shocks. I'll let you know how they fit when i'm done.

  Kevin

lower shock mt

We reused the Calmini shocks but changed the lower shock mt. with this setup we get the extra droop. But when the shock is fully compressed it leaves just enough room to run 33's without hitting the top of the rear fender wells.

O'ya here is a pic of all 4 shocks side by side.  The lengths are as follows

stock 18"
crown vic 20"
calmini 23.5"
ford f150 29"

I still might run the Dostsch tech 8282 series on my kick they are collapsed14.5 and extended 24.5"

Wild?

For whatever it's worth I'm putting some NAPA Response (made by Tenneco-same as Rancho) nitrogen shocks on the rear of the GV when the lift goes on.  Ment for the front of a 89 FJ60 Land Cruiser.  13.25" compressed, 21" extended.  Cost me $22 each with tax.

? I saw the post
Good info there, this should be
part of a FAQ with a sticky

Eric, could we have a FAQ Tech
section for info like this