So the wife is going to be driving my Tracker for at least a while until we can replace the GV.  She has small back problems and HATES the way the thing rides thanks to the Calmini lift.  It's got the factory bumpers and despite an easy 30,000 miles it still rides like a buckboard wagon.  It rides a bit better with the bigger sidewalls of the 31's but I still have to regear and it's not THAT much better.

I've heard the e-rumor that fitting different shocks helps a lot.  Can anyone confirm this?
Hydraulic or nitro?  Anyone have any specs on lengths and such necessary for the 3" lift?

It bugs me and I think with her driving it daily starting Monday I'd better do something fast.

Uh, what happened to the GV?

I'm not sure shocks will help, it's the springs that are stiff for you're daily driving. Here's a couple things I've been thinking about, I'm going to be getting the calmini lift in the new year, and want to use boondox 3" lift springs, and won't be able to afford them right away, so here's what I was thinking:

-Use stock springs with coil spacers 
-Use Grand Vitara coil springs(+2" on 1st gen), and 1" coil spacers.

I've had people swear up and down that shocks can make the difference with these lifts.  We'll see I guess.

I have a post up on this forum.  Sad but true, the GV is dead.   The wife's 99% fine though.  Well, 110% with the vicadin (sp?).

I've had people swear up and down that shocks can make the difference with these lifts.  We'll see I guess.

I have a post up on this forum.  Sad but true, the GV is dead.   The wife's 99% fine though.  Well, 110% with the vicadin (sp?).

Yeah, I just had a look  :'(
Sorry to hear the bad news, good to hear nobody was hurt. So, do you get to pilage the GV? the springs, rims, tires and a few other things could be of good use to you

Shocks definitely do make a difference. My dad has a lifted 06 Jeep Liberty and he was running Explorer Pro Comp shocks. It rode like it had no rear suspension. Just last week, he went back to the shop and swapped them for some BDS shocks. Rides like a dream now.

Yes, they can make a difference. Although the spring rate is a component of the way the suspension works the shock/strut valving also plays an important part. i had someone complaining about the way their new lift rode on a lwb kick. I'd told him that cheapest wasn't necessearily the best way to go but he made his own choice. In the end he bought some spare OME shocks from me and couldn't believe the difference they made. They won't work with the Calmini kit as they're too short but the right shock valving can make a difference.

When I replaced my rear Cal. shocks for longer traval ones (Sensatracx for a 4x4 F-150, had to fab mounts), it made a big difference!!  Take your Cal ones into the part store and see if they can mach up the dimentions.

If you look in the "search" here you will find that some people use a Ford Victoria?? shock.

Eric

Hey man, funny running into you here.

I ended up getting some NAPA Reflex truck shocks for a '98 2wd F150's rear.  Seem to be about the right length, 23.75".  Going to put them on this morning and see how they do.

I put those NAPA Reflex truck shocks on today.  The funny part is they are a little longer than the Calmini shocks while at the same time being a little shorter.  I have a picture of them sitting next to each other around here somewhere.  Also they're nitrogen charged monotubes.

As far as the ride goes I had some hardware problems and ended up taking longer than expected...so I haven't driven it yet but I'd imagine it will be much better...considering the p-side shock was completely dead and didn't "rebound" while the d-side shock almost didn't want to move.  
Oh yeah, here's a link to the shock:

http://www.napaonline.com//MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=RR&PartNumber=94196&Description

Not bad for $25 each.

please update as soon as possible. If it rides better I will be doing this on the weekend! My door is super stiff in the back.

It rides SOOOO much better now!  I can't say how it would do compared to actual functioning rear shocks but this is great!

There's a section of the drive home that is just horrible with potholes, patches, and crappy paving.  This section, like all road imperfections, made everything in the vehicle vibrate and rattle.  Now I barely noticed the section and nothing rattled.