Coilover Question???

nealcj8 · Oct 31, 2012

How do you measure a coilover?? I bought a jeep that already had these on it and it's really not in my budget right now to buy new ones and I was wondering what size these are and if I could just add a top spring. These are fox 2.0's I think. The top spring colapses completely when all of the weight of the jeep is on them. I am building a buggy and I would like to have the right springs on them. Any help would be appreciated Thanks

offroadwerks · Oct 31, 2012

You need to find out what your corner sprung weights are. My spring rates were the very last thing I did. You could get everything in place then use lightnweight springs on your coil overs to get your corner sprung weights. I've got some 140lb springs you could use to weight it. I used ole Billa Vistas calculator to get my rates. I could help you with that.

deranged57 · Nov 1, 2012

offroadwerks said:
You need to find out what your corner sprung weights are. My spring rates were the very last thing I did. You could get everything in place then use lightnweight springs on your coil overs to get your corner sprung weights. I've got some 140lb springs you could use to weight it. I used ole Billa Vistas calculator to get my rates. I could help you with that.

x2 on this statement - it is nearly impossible to setup spring rates without knowing your sprung weight. If you already have springs (which it looks like you do) you can calculate the spring rate based on how much the springs you have compress with the weight of the vehicle. This will give you a very good starting point towards getting the correct springs. I had to go this route with my rig since I didn't have access to a scale at the time. I borrowed a friends springs (which we knew would be softer than what I needed) installed them on my rig and took measurements. I then called up Scott Morris @ Sunfire Offroad (812) 623-3473, who helped me with selecting the proper rate. Obviously you will need to buy yoursprings from him after recieving his help, but he is very competitive and offers an exchange policy on springs until you're happy(some rules apply). Mine were great on the first try, so he knows his stuff.

As for measuring the shock itself - the 2.0 refers to the body diameter of 2", the body is the aluminum tube that the shaft slides into. The shocks travel is basically the length of the shaft that is visible at full extension (no weight). From the picture yours look to be 14" travel.