Gae you are correct when talking stroke. However, each suspension has a motion ratio - how much the wheel travels in relation to how much the shock compresses or extends. So on my AME frame my motion ratio is 1.63 IIRC. 2" compression equals 3.26" of wheel travel. Clear as mud, right ?:yes:

Interesting.....I did not know that. Thanks Ron, glad I didn't order my new shocks yet. Looks like I have a little more homework to do. :thumbsup:

Ron is spot on. The chassis I built uses the AME IFS components. My particular setup provides 1.688" of shock travel for 3" of wheel travel. I am at the point where the truck is low enough that using all 3" of wheel compression travel will create an interference with the inner fender structure. We are going to run inner fenders so it is a challenge.

If I can dig it up Gea I have a spread sheet I wrote that will calculate your motion ratio based on dimensions you take. Although with the car sitting there move the spindle up 3" and then measure your shock travel. Divide them an that is your motion ratio.

After several hours in the garage today, I think the body saw is coming out!

No need to find that calculator. . .our spring rate calculator will tell you what your motion ratio is based on the measurements you enter. You can guess on the weights at this point since all you car about is the motion ratio:

http://www.ridetech.com/tech/spring-rate-calculator/

Thanks Chad, I get it now. So technicaly you can use a 4" stroke shock, correct?

Thanks for the calculator. Looking forward to following those steps to the letter when the time comes.

Yes sir, you are correct!

Not to confuse matters more, but this discussion only applies to independent type suspensions. When it comes to rigid axle types like most have in the rear this motion ratio does not apply when the shocks are attached to the rear end. Shock travel is essentially the same as wheel travel in this case. Although there are slight differences between bump and roll if your shock travel is equal to your wheel travel you will be covered. You may have known this Gae, but for the folks that might be reading this that are not involved in the conversation I just wanted to be clear. :thumbsup:

Yeah, I figured that. As far as my car goes (due to tight budget allocated towards my car every year) I'll hit the road course, get a feel for what I think it needs, and work on that particular issue.
For this upcoming season I'm working on getting the rear to rotate and among making my rear sway bar adjustable and the repair to the body where the rear bar attaches and has torn the sheet metal, rear shocks are going to be added to the combination. With the single adjustables I am using right now I can only adjust compression. Problem with that is the rear bounces when I adjust to a tighter setting because there is no rebound adjustment.
Thanks again for the help. :thumbsup:

Famous Confucious Tuner once said, "Rebound is Everything" :lol: :thumbsup: