help me understand these rear shock numbers...

Picking a front suspension system for our trucks seems easy, but the rear is a bit more complicated it seems. As of now I have a Snugtop Sportsman package (~250-300 lbs) and may add more weight in the future. If I needed the greatest amount of rear travel for a mid-travel set-up I would go with ADS deaver spec; however, I'm not sure I need that level of performance for a truck loaded up with my whole family and camper shell. I could see needing new leaf springs in the future though (to handle the load) so I'm trying to future proof my decision. I'm trying to understand what rear shocks would work with aftermarket leaf springs in the future, give me the greatest amount of travel (within reason), but also not allow the leafs to hit my TRD exhaust.

Is it correct to assume a higher extended length amounts to greater droop and also higher likelihood of leafs contacting exhaust? Does a higher compressed length equal less up travel?

From looking at the numbers below can we conclude the King 2.5 rear shock has the greatest travel with stock leaf springs and Elka the least out of those with specific numbers listed? Can we also say the Fox 2.5 has slightly less travel than the King 2.5, but also has a less likelihood of the leafs contacting the exhaust? If Fox says the lift range for the 2.5 is 0-1.5", then I'm assuming that can come from new shackles, new leafs, or a combo correct?

Sorry for so many questions, but I figure this could help others too. I often see people on this forum buy one brand of suspension, then swap it out later. It seems even more often for the rear when factoring in all the variables.

Elka
extended length - 26.08"
compressed length - 17.22"
stroke - 8.86"
lift range - 0-2"

Fox 2.0
extended length - 24.65"
compressed length - 15.55"
stroke - 9.1"
lift range - 0-1"

Fox 2.5
extended length - 25.02"
compressed length - 15.65"
stroke - 9.37"
lift range - 0-1.5"

King 2.5
extended length - 26.027"
collapsed length - 15.901"
stroke - 10.126

ADS
no specific numbers other than
stock length rear shock good for 0-1" of lift
Deaver spec when used with K37 or U748 good for up to 13" of travel

Icon RXT rear shock when used in conjunction with RXT leaf spring
no specific numbers only "potential for increased wheel travel when used with RXT shock without sacrificing up-travel (up to 20% over stock)"

 

...bumping my own long post with yet another question. If I went with the Fox 2.5 DSC front and rear and later needed more load capacity in the rear, then what options would I have being limited to up to 1.5" of extra lift height?

 

I have scoured the thread and internet with these same questions in mind interested in the same fox 2.5 dsc shocks. There is not much info I’ve found on this. I read about another guy on here somewhere that had some jeep fox 2.5s specially tuned and clocked for the tundra and it has almost identical numbers as the kings you just posted above making me wonder if they would work? But I think he was having tune issues and not sure if he got it resolved or not making me wonder if that’s a good idea or not. They were 15.93 compressed and 26.050 extended from what I looked up. My plan is a 2” lift shackle to maintain rake but may want to add icon rxt leaf pack and smaller shackle later to maintain at least 2 inch lift in back. Hoping someone can answer this for you as I am very interested as well. The king dimensions I assume are tundra specific typical dimensions. I am wanting as much travel as I can get and options for later leafs but don’t want topping, bottoming, or extension issues either. These king dimensions have had no issues for anyone? How about with rxt leaf pack with the kings?

 

Firestone Air Bags will maintain your ride height. Probably the most cost efficient spring helper available. When you're heavy pump it up, when light deflate it. Unless you are going to use your truck for serious off roading where good articulation is needed, go with the bags along with FOX DSC or Kings with adjusters.

 

Found this in another thread. Helpful info for little more lift than what I’m planning but sounds like custom length shocks with airbags or some kind of bump stop could be the answer. @state48overland sounds like they know this scenario with rxt and could be a great resource. I wonder if his posted lengths previously used are needed even if on option one with rxt?