[slow_dive]

Hi folks, sorry if this is a common question, I did a quick search and couldn't find much info.

I've been looking for some stiffer springs on ebay and every listing that mentions any kind of lift states "need to buy lifted shocks to suit" or something similar.

So the question, Do I actually need to buy new shocks for a 30mm spring lift? I'm not going to be doing any real hardcore four wheeling or rock climbing, just some beach/sand stuff and I'm sick of the tiny, thin and sagging stock springs.

There are some listings for king springs front and rear in either 30mm or 50mm lift. How far can you push the stock shocks? Mine were replaced brand new just before I bought the car a few months ago and I'd hate to replace them on the chance that some ebay seller wants to upsell me some shocks.

Any info would be a big help, cheers.

Edit, this is for a 2004 Jimny.

[fordem]

No Jimny experience, but, for a 30mm lift, the stock shocks will be long enough - having said that, length is not the issue - the shock valving needs to be matched to the spring "weight" or stiffness, stock shocks on a lifted vehicle will result in a vehicle with an underdamped ride, not very pleasant.

[Gwagensteve]

I still have no idea what a shock for ‘X’mm lift is. Lots for shocks for “lifted” applications have less travel than the factory shocks. However Fordems comments about valving are spot on. Higher spring rates demand more valving or the car will feel loose and bouncy.

How are you determining that the stock springs have sagged? It’s not common on coil sprung vehicles at all.

[slow_dive]

Quote:

How are you determining that the stock springs have sagged?

The fact that it leans over like I'm sitting in it... even when I'm not.

I think I'm gonna get some springs and just see how it goes. If it needs shockies I can get a set and put them in, no worries.

[markmo]

slow_dive wrote:

Quote:

How are you determining that the stock springs have sagged?

The fact that it leans over like I'm sitting in it... even when I'm not.

I think I'm gonna get some springs and just see how it goes. If it needs shockies I can get a set and put them in, no worries.

Sounds like this is more to do with the factory feature known as the "Jimny lean". Give it a google.

[ZUZUKI]

Easiest thing to do would be to swap springs from side to side to see if that correct the lean.
You won't need stiffer springs for sand - unless the times that you run on sand, you are also loaded up with gear.
Not a big fan of fitting stiffer springs without also controlling them with appropriate dampers (shocks), but as you say, if the current shocks are fresh, that will give them the best chance of being effective & if not, easy enough to replace.
Shocks are usually the limiting factor in suspension height. If the ride height has gone up due to a longer and/or higher rated (stiffer) spring, then there is less droop/down travel available with a std shock from that higher ride height, than there was at factory ride height.
This can make the car 'crashy' into dips as the taller/stiffer spring pushes the under-valved std shock into full extension too quickly.
Rgs, Michael

[fordem]

ZUZUKI wrote:

This can make the car 'crashy' into dips as the taller/stiffer spring pushes the under-valved std shock into full extension too quickly.

Not a very pleasant ride.