rear shocks

[jeepsterwifey]

Hey all. Recently I replaced all 4 shocks with pro-comp es3000's & the steering stabilizer "rancho", really improved the ride. The previous rear shocks had dents in them apparently hitting the leaf springs.
Well I had hoped that the new ones wouldn't get damaged but, they did. The side is bent in a little on the spring side.
My question is... even tho it has an orientation, big cyl on bottom, What would happen if I installed it upside down? It's a hydrolic shock but, I don't think it would leak past seals. The only thing I can think of is that the compression dampening would become the rebound & vice versa. It would change the ride but wouldn't get damaged further.
Also, if upside down won't work... when it needs replacing what should I put in so this doesn't happen again?
Thanks.

[jeepsterwifey]

Should I assume that the lack of response means that I could mount hydro shocks upside down? If thats the case why is there a mount this end up arrow?
Also based on the lack of response is there no better a shock for a stock d-30 rear with leaf springs?
It's been 5 days, over a weekend. Are all the views from "visitors"?

[Tim]

Some shocks must be mounted right-side up and some shocks can be mounted either up or down. If there are no directions specifing, then contact the manufacturer and ask. The stock mounts were designed for skinnier shocks than what's normally used today.

[jeepsterwifey]

Thanks for replying Tim. Thanks for the info.
Also, do you have SUA on your jeepster? & if so what kind of shocks are you using & do they clear the springs?

[Tim]

My '66 is soa, but I also built a '71 for my brother-in-law that's sua. On the '71, we retained the stock upper mounts in the rear. On the '66, we moved the stock upper mounts aft. On both rigs we welded new lower mounts to the axle tubes. The '71 used a modified piece of box tubing and the '66 used tabs from Ruff Stuff Specialties: Shock Brackets & Shock Tabs.

Both rigs have Bilstein 5125 Series Shocks: Bilstein

By using the Bilstein 5125 Series Specifications Chart: Bilstein, you can decide which shocks to order.

Here's the Valving Reference Chart: http://www.bilsteinus.com/ValvingQui...renceChart.pdf. On the '71, we used the comfort valving in the rear. I chose the performance valving for my '66 as the comfort valving is more suited to street-only driving.

Below are some pics of the '71:

[Tim]

And some pics of the '66, first one showing original position of rear upper shock mount, second pic showing new position and third pic showing the shock mount tabs on the axle tube:

[jeepsterwifey]

WOW. Thanks Tim for all the great info & pics. All I need is to do now is sell that extra kidney to get the parts & tools to install those sweet axels.

J.E.E.P...
J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket
Its a love hate relationship. We love our jeeps, but we hate to empty our pocket... unless it's for the jeep.

[Tim]

Well, if you could live with your current axles, you could cut the cost down to less than $20 for the tabs from Ruff Stuff plus the cost of welding them on, if you can retain the uppers in their existing position; otherwise it might be a bit more to re-locate them. Oh yes, might need new shocks too.

[Randyzzz]

Using lower spring plates from a 80's CJ moves the bottom pin out about 1/4". I used shocks originally designed for an XJ Cherokee, they have a smaller body. And, Edelbrock IAS shocks mount body up, as do some Bilsteins. Shocks are designed to work one way only. (most of the time)

[jeepsterwifey]

Such great info guys! Thanks a bunch. More options, same axels, less money. I like it.