My stock shocks are shot and I need new ones on my 87 samurai but dont know what I need.  I have a 3" spring under lift with deaver's and plan to do atleast 2 more inches. Can anyone tell me what size to go with or how to tell myself.

When I purchased RS9000's for my last rig, I removed the existing shocks, used a floor jack to fully compress one side and measured the length from eye to eye (gives you compressed length when on the bump stops). You will want a shock that is a little shorter than this measurement compressed to keep the shock from bottoming out (also consider bump stop compression). Then measure at full drop for full extension length. The optimum shock will have a fully compressed length an inch or so shorter than your compressed travel and an inch or so longer than your full drop. This will keep the shock alive MUCH longer. Once you get these, just go to your local parts place, tell them the measurements you have and what kind of upper and lower mount you have for the shocks, and they can find out what you have... If your doing something like the Rancho's, they have a chart on line that shows the shock lengths and mount types..

HTH,
Zig

thank you for the input. Im hoping to just get some of the doetsch shocks from lowrange (the cheaper the better while im in school then I will upgrade afterwards) since our local parts stores hire stupid kids that cant help.

If yu give the guys at Lowrange those measurments, thay can get you what you need...

Zig

This is something that has always puzzled me, so let me ask my question(s) here.

The above instructions will provide minimum & maximum lengths of the shock, but do not take into consideration the weight of the vehicle, or the type of suspension (leaf spring/coil spring/torsion bar) they are going to be used with - are these not critical factors that influence (or should influence) the type of shock being chosen.

As I understand it - leaf springs tend to be inherently self damping due to inter-leaf friction - which of course will not occur with the other two spring mediums.

Why is there no discussion on bump & rebound rates or the valving that controls these, and on which Old Man Emu places such a great emphasis - I myself need to get shocks and cannot decide if I should spring the extra coin for the OME.

All of those factors come into play.... The sales rep for the shock company should inquire about what vehicle they are going on and you should mention custom mods you have done before they spec one. With the RS9000, I did not get that in-depth with it. I was looking for an adjustable shock that could adapt from riding empty in the back of my 89 Kick to fully loaded down for a cross country camping trip. I personally loved my OME struts and would recommend them to any one, so I would bet their shocks are as good. But just like the difference in some cheap shocks from the parts counter and the custom valved Bilstein I have on my current rig.... you get what you pay for...