2inch lift shocks and relocation brackets

I got some 2inch  black raptor shocks and springs fitted this week and my friend said I should also use thr shock relocation brackets on the rear as it helps take stress off the lower bolt. 

I thoight these brackets were for extending standard shocks not for fitting with 2inch extended shocks ? 
do i need them ? 

3.Do i need the rear shock relocators?

No you don’t need them but they bring the added benefits of removing extra strain from the lower bushes and also give a little more rear travel

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The text above is from the Jimny Bits (who I believe own the Black Raptor brand) website, so whilst there are apparently benefits to fitting them, they are not needed.

My question, if I was considering the Black Raptor lift, would be - why aren't the shocks optimized for the springs - or - why aren't they long enough to give the optimal travel without the need for the relocators.

The length of 2" rear lift shocks varies, both for the gen2 and gen3. OME 2" rears and black raptor 2" rears are shorter than the Trailmaster 2" rears. I have tried to fit black raptor shocks to my 2" lifted trailmaster Jimny but as they are shorter than the trailmaster shocks I could not fit them.
Then again on full flex out on a 2" trailmaster the spring comes off the seat.
There might be a difference in length also on the springs but I havent had those to measure them and as there would be a difference in spring rate too, there would not be a point to me measuring them maybe.

Haven't heard of anyone having problems with shock lengths on the Jimny gen3 but, on the gen2 the OME 2" shocks are too short for the lift and will limit your flex.

I have now shocks from a GV with the same length as the unobtainable (Norway) Trailmaster ones and have added 1" spring spacers without relocating brackets.
I would think if you add caster correction for the rear or any other extras there could be added strain for the shock bolts in the rear but if the kit is standard there is no need.

(All of the above only applies for the rear)

One could always have shocks made to order. Costs a bit but might be worthwhile, depending on one's needs. This UK company does great work, custom shockers usually within a couple weeks:

info@spaxperformance.com

I used them back when I was messing about with vintage sportscars. Not a 4x4 specialist, but they do a lot of rally machines, so might be worth a try.

fordem wrote:

3.Do i need the rear shock relocators?

No you don’t need them but they bring the added benefits of removing extra strain from the lower bushes and also give a little more rear travel

---

The text above is from the Jimny Bits (who I believe own the Black Raptor brand) website, so whilst there are apparently benefits to fitting them, they are not needed.

My question, if I was considering the Black Raptor lift, would be - why aren't the shocks optimized for the springs - or - why aren't they long enough to give the optimal travel without the need for the relocators.

I suspect the answer and indeed the question are slightly more complex.

So, I'm pretty sure the shocks are matched with the springs. However the Jimny uses eye, rather than pin fitting for the lower shock mount. An eye fitting allows rotation only in one direction/plain. Any movement in the opposite direction will be due to the bush flexing.

If I recall the upper shock mount allows backwards and forwards rotation, while at the axle end the shock is rotated 90 degrees and allows left and right rotation.

This is because the axle actually moves in an arch. As the radius arm moves up and down, it will move the axle backwards and forwards, slightly changing the wheel base. Also due to using a panhard rod, as the axle moves up and down it will also move left and right.

The shock extensions won't give 'more' travel. As the shocks stroke will remain constant. The extender will move the axle down by the length of the extender, but the axle will always be moved further down under the entire travel. So at full suspension compression, the axle will be lower too.

In answer to the op, no I don't think you need them, unless you can clearly identify excessive binding on the lower shock mount or have a very large imbalance of up and down travel when ride height.

I would definitely not fit the relocation brackets. While they are marketed as "taking the strain off the lower shock bolt", in reality they lead to more breakages. They increase the compressed length of the shock, which means the suspension bottoms out on the shock rather than the axle bump stop and this bends/breaks the shock bolts. I've seen it happen dozens of times, but I've never seen the bolts bend without the extenders fitted. The standard orientation without the brackets works just fine.