How do you measure for coil overs?

[marolf101x]

I would like to add one thing I have to explain to people all the time. . . motion ratio.

The front of most cars have a motion ratio as the shock/coilover is located on a control arm somewhere between the frame and the wheel/tire, NOT located directly over the wheel/tire. Typically this is around 2:1. . . meaning for every one inch the shock/coilover moves, the wheel/tire moves two inches.

The rear of most of these cars has a motion ratio very close to 1:1 as the shock/coil over typically sits just behind the rear axle. In this situation when the shock/coil over moves one inch, the wheel/tire moves one inch.

As Rodney stated, we shoot for a minimum of 5" of wheel travel. If you were paying attention you now know you don't need a shock with 5" of travel for the front. . .you really only need a shock with 2.5" of travel.

I hear it all the time. . ."I want a really long travel coil over in the front". That's great, but even if you get a coil over with 10" of stroke in there the wheel/tire will still only move around 6" as it's limited by ball joint bind, which is not what you want limiting suspension travel as it will result in a catastrophic failure.