Looking for a comparative picture of a stock strut next to a lift aftermarket strut, trying to make a point

[onobeka]

For the guys who have swapped the front coilovers, do you happen to have a picture of a stock strut side by side to an aftermarket one (OME, Eibach, Fox, Icon, whatever). A reputable manufacturer claims that their lift suspension is exactly the same length as the stock one and the lift is achieved by spring preload, thus mitigating coil bind. I think it's purely marketing (although preload may be there), as this would result in a very harsh ride with very very firm springs.

I could not find easily such a picture.

Thank you in advance!

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[Dgc333]

Not sure about all brands of struts but the Eibach ones have grooves in the body to allow you to position the lower spring perch for more or less preload. By changing the preload you change the ride height (lift).

Changing the preload does not change the spring rate and does not change the ride. If you were using progressively wound springs and the preload was starting to bind one of the coils the at rest spring rate may be higher but the Ranger springs are not progressive.

One of the distinction with coil over shocks has been the ability to adjust the preload to change the ride height.

 

[onobeka]

Thanks! Sure, with coilovers you change the preload, however, the question is a bit different. Is the strut exactly the same dimension as the oem one or longer?

 

[McLeadslinger]

My eibach adj coilovers are longer than the factory stuff it was evident on the install. I don’t have pictures though.

 

[Frenchy]

Unfortunately I don't have the factory struts anymore and I didn't take a picture of my old vs new when I did the old man emu swap but I can promise you the factory struts do not have the same length as aftermarket struts. Well not ones that do create left. In order to achieve extra lift in the front you have to do one of the following. Install a spacer between the strut and the frame. Change out the strut that has different grooves for the Spectre spring to sit in. Or change out the entire strut and spring assembly that gives more lift.

On a side note what company are you looking at?

 

[Metalshift]

Here is a thread with pics.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/what-is-this-set-at.12778/#post-253789

 

[onobeka]

Thank you! I was watching an explanation from Ironman where they claim their struts are exactly the same length and the lift is achieved solely by preload, thus the droop remains as from factory, which is total BS.

 

[gryder]

Here is a picture of the eibach coilover vs stock strut. Eibach coilover is an inch longer, maybe more. I didn’t take exact measurements.

 

[onobeka]

Thank you! Assuming that the rate of the spring is the same, that 1” alone lifts the front end close to 1.7”, then the preload can lift it more. How is the comfort of the eibachs compared to stock? Is it firmer?

 

[gryder]

It’s a lot better, like most aftermarket struts or coilovers, its firmer but in a good way. When you hit bumps and pot holes, instead of the front bouncing or making you squirm from the sudden harsh hit of the stock shock, the eibach hits a bump and levels out, and the initial tense up you would normally get slowly goes away because the shocks can handle it now. I don’t slow down for dips or bumps anymore like I used too. It gives you more confidence knowing it can handle any street driving, especially these bad roads in southern cali.

 

[onobeka]

Today I rode 20 miles of fire roads in between villages, potholes like moguls(small but packed on each other) on an extreme ski slope. Max speed, 25kmh, fillings coming off teeth … otherwise the stock suspension is brilliant. I did air down to 22psi. So, I am looking for something more forgiving for this types of tracks.

 

[McLeadslinger]

I have the eibach coilovers as well. They ride so much better than stock. I threw my FX4 struts and shocks in the trash!

Here is a picture of the eibach coilover vs stock strut. Eibach coilover is an inch longer, maybe more. I didn’t take exact measurements.

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