New Extended Length Bilstein Shocks Specifically for FJ Cruiser

[FJBinky]

Jbell previously said:

I am at the highest setting on the front and have OME springs in the rear. The rear of my truck sits about 1.25 higher than the front and I have no rubbing issues or a body mount chop.

Are you running the swaybar relocate and/or longer rear brake lines?

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[ZepG]

I just had the toytec 3" kit with extended bilsteins installed and toytec never mentioned anything about an adaptor for the shocks. My mechanic said the only thing he didn't like on the kit was that the rear shock angle doesnt line up with the shock mount. Did toytec forget to send me the adaptor or do you have to order it seperate from the kit?

[FJBinky]

ZepG previously said:

Did toytec forget to send me the adaptor or do you have to order it seperate from the kit?

It depends on what shocks they sent you. The rear 5125s won't bolt up without the stem to eye adapter at the top.

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[ZepG]

I have that adapter on top, my mechanic said the bottom stud is at a different angle than the hole in the shock and is worried that it will wear out the rubber bushing. Did anyone else notice this?

[FJBinky]

Looks like the ProComp rears are the right way to go assuming that the ProComp part number I referenced is correct! 10.2" travel versus the stock 8.5" is nearly 2". Only the Bilstein 5125s allow the same amount of droop (with the adapter) but will be short on compression by an inch.

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[Jbell]

FJuice previously said:

Are you running the swaybar relocate and/or longer rear brake lines?
Nope, I have swaybar collers in the front so hopefully my links won't break and my sway bar in the rear limits my droop so my break lines are not being stretched(I hope).

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ZepG previously said:

I have that adapter on top, my mechanic said the bottom stud is at a different angle than the hole in the shock and is worried that it will wear out the rubber bushing. Did anyone else notice this?

Yeah I definitely noticed, they were a son of a gun to get on that lower stud.
I guess only time will tell if the bushings wear out prematurely, I am pretty sure it will be fine though.

[tisilverFJ]

ZepG previously said:

I have that adapter on top, my mechanic said the bottom stud is at a different angle than the hole in the shock and is worried that it will wear out the rubber bushing. Did anyone else notice this?

There is no difference in angle of the hole between stock shock or Bilstein. The Bilstein is just harder to get on. I've had mine on for over a year with no issues. The rubber bushing still looks normal. I'll add a picture soon.

[FJCryptographer]

Do extended shocks create more tension and downward drag on the rest of the suspension? In other words, by putting these on the FJ, are you not going to blow your CV joints, etc. faster?

[FJBinky]

FJCryptographer previously said:

Do extended shocks create more tension and downward drag on the rest of the suspension? In other words, by putting these on the FJ, are you not going to blow your CV joints, etc. faster?

The shocks under discussion on this thread are for the rear. I should have put that in the thread title. So no, extended shocks for the rear won't "blow" your front CVs.

With respect to the front, one sure way to overextend your front suspension and potentially damage your CVs is through the use of a 3" spacer lift. There are jounce stops for suspension compression, but the shock is the extension limiter. Adding a spacer to get 3" of lift means that your suspension can extend 3" further than it was designed to. Furthermore, the spacer lift will also mean that the shock will bottom out before you hit the jounce because it limits compression by that same 3".

[jlmilligan]

How is the road ride with the 5125s? I am trying to decide what to do with my backend. Thanks