How to tell if GW has been lifted

[Drewsk]

I am looking at ordering new shocks for my GW, and I’m trying to figure out if it has been lifted by a PO. Are there certain things I should be looking for that would indicate it has been lifted, and by how much? 2.5” and 4” lifts seem to be pretty common. I doubt this has a 4” lift. Would part numbers on the current shocks give any indication, or mods to the leaf springs?

[Theodore]

A few years back, we pulled lift springs & returned our GW to stock height. The measurements are below, measured at the center of each wheel arch.

viewtopic.php?p=188847#p188847

DF 31 1/4”
PF 31 3/8”
DR 30”
PR 30”

[will e]

One option is to measure the shock distance. Find a shock that extends and depresses about the same in both directions.
Most shock companies publish the shock length extended and collapsed.

Or, if you have the number on the current shock, look it up for length and compression and find a similar shock.

[Stuka]

Do you have any photos?\

But as will e said, best to measure eye to eye on the shock mounts sitting level, And then again articulated. This gives you extended, compressed, and standard lengths. You can then find what shock best fits. You will likely have to compromise in some manner.

[tgreese]

Lifted or not, there are limits on shock length. Yes, measure the distance of the shock pins center to center. Measure the distance from the axle tube to the frame bumper, and subtract that from the pin distance. This is the maximum collapsed length of your replacement shock absorbers. If you want to use longer shock absorbers, you'll need spacers between the bumpers and frame so that you don't bottom out your shock absorbers. Replacement shock absorbers intended for lifted vehicles should give you the extended and collapsed length.

These cars sit quite low, so any height above your typical station wagon height most likely has been lifted, however modestly. Suggest you put year, model and equipment in every post. We could tell you more then, like the number of leaves in the factory springs.

[Drewsk]

Here it is parked in the garage, and a couple outside on the street, not sure if that gives enough reference to be able to tell if it’s lifted or not. The rain gutter trim sits right at my eye line, and I’m 6’.

It’s a 1985 Grand Wagoneer (I was told limited from PO) with a 360, converted to locking front hubs. I’ll get this added to my signature so it’s on every post, thanks for the advice!

[Stuka]

That looks like it might have had new stock springs installed. OE springs would be sagged more than that most likely.

Its possible they are slightly lifted. But, stock sized shocks will work fine for you. Thats not enough of a lift to need to resize.

[tgreese]

Looks like a modest increase to me, say 1.5" or 2". Factory front springs should have 7 leaves, and rears 5.

[Drewsk]

Thanks! I’ll crawl under and count the leaves to check

[rocklaurence]

An OEM FSJ should measure 8" from the top of the front spring pack to the bottom of the frame. That is "Top of the Spring pack" is the surface that the axle perch sits on and the spring pack is under the axle. The 8" is approximate depending on spring sag etc.

[Drewsk]

That’s perfect, that will be easy to measure, thanks!